From missing documents to late filings: Why buyers fail to win cases

Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) recently dismissed a homebuyer's compensation claim for delayed possession, citing late filing.

- SANJEEV SINHA

Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) recently dismissed a homebuyer's compensation claim for delayed possession, citing late filing. The buyer received possession in September 2020—four years after the promised June 2016 date—but filed the complaint only in April 2024. Several claims have been rejected in the past due to mistakes on buyers' part.

Weak documentation

Many homebuyers lose Rera cases because of poor documentation. "Key records like the builder-buyer agreement, payment proofs, delay-related correspondence, and objections before possession are often missing," says Nidhi Singh, partner, IndiaLaw LLP.

She adds that buyers must preserve all relevant documents: allotment letters, receipts, protest emails, and possession papers.

Inflated claims

Many buyers hurt their case by seeking arbitrary amounts for mental agony or speculative losses. "Such overreach damages their credibility and can lead to outright dismissal or significantly reduced compensation by the tribunal or authority. Being reasonable and precise resonates better with decision-makers," says Kshitij Bishnoi, partner, CMS IndusLaw.