Buying a home is a life-changing decision, and with rising expectations around real estate transparency, buyers now demand full clarity from developers. However, brochures often present only the glossy surface. Critical aspects like hidden charges, carpet area vs built-up area confusion, and real estate approval delays rarely get highlighted until much later.
For anyone planning to buy in Maharashtra and especially for those searching for a Pune property buying guide understanding these gaps is essential. With evolving MahaRERA rules for buyers, transparency is improving, but awareness is still the key safeguard.
This blog, backed by recent news references, explains what builder brochures often don’t tell you and how you can protect yourself with the right information.
1. The Area Illusion: Carpet Area vs Built-Up Area
One of the biggest transparency concerns in Indian real estate revolves around carpet area vs built-up area. While brochures highlight attractive numbers, the usable area inside the home often turns out to be much smaller.
Carpet Area:
Actual usable area within the four walls of the apartment.
Built-Up Area:
Carpet area + the thickness of walls + balconies + utility areas.
Super Built-Up Area (Saleable Area):
Built-up area + share of common spaces like lobbies, lifts, clubhouse, and even flower beds.
Because many builders still calculate prices on super built-up area, buyers pay for space they never use violating the principle of real estate transparency.
Recent news reference:
A report highlighted shocking discrepancies between promised and delivered areas in Indore projects, proving that inflated area claims are still common across cities.
2. Hidden Charges That Brochures Don’t Highlight
Builder brochures rarely mention the full cost structure. Once the buyer is emotionally invested, the actual expenses begin to appear one by one. A genuine Pune property buying guide always warns buyers about these hidden charges:
Common Hidden Costs Include:
- Floor rise charges
- Parking charges
- GST and stamp duty
- Water/electricity connection charges
- Clubhouse fees
- Society maintenance deposits
- Development charges
Such add-ons can inflate the property price by 8–20%. This lack of disclosure goes against real estate transparency, and understanding these charges upfront is crucial.
3. Approval Delays: The Silent Risk Builders Hide
One of the biggest risks today is real estate approval delays. Builders rarely reveal the actual approval stage in brochures.
Missing or delayed approvals like commencement certificates, environmental clearances, and occupancy certificates can lead to years of possession delays.
Recent news reference:
A state-wide verification by MahaRERA found that out of 2,600 projects submitting occupancy certificates, only 136 were verified revealing a massive gap in compliance.
This is why understanding and following MahaRERA rules for buyers is no longer optional.
4. Understanding MahaRERA Rules for Buyers
Thanks to RERA, transparency has improved but not all buyers fully understand their rights. Some of the most important MahaRERA rules for buyers include:
- Builders must declare carpet area (not super built-up).
- Every project must be registered with MahaRERA.
- Builders must provide clear timelines for project completion.
- Any change in layout/plan requires buyer consent.
- All promised amenities must be delivered before handover.
Builders cannot legally misrepresent carpet area vs built-up area, nor can they hide costs or delay approvals without consequences. Yet, brochures often omit these mandatory disclosures.
5. Why Real Estate Transparency Still Lags
Despite regulatory reforms, the ground reality is that many buyers still struggle because:
- Brochures are marketing materials not legal documents.
- Sales teams often skip over technical details.
- Charges are split across multiple line items to appear smaller.
- Many buyers do not read the entire agreement.
- Approval timelines are rarely explained.
This is where working with a professional advisor helps. A good Pune property buying guide emphasizes due diligence and RERA compliance before committing.
Reference
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/maharera-suspends-registration-of-1-950-housing-projects-over-nncompliance-101736448354981.html
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/maharera-suspends-4812-lapsed-projects-freezes-bank-accounts/articleshow/123372818.cms
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/legal/will/homebuyers-get-relief-from-maharera-conditional-oc-not-enough-builder-liable-to-pay-compensation-if-it-fails-to-fulfil-all-conditional-oc-terms/articleshow/125758396.cms
6. Real Estate Transparency in Pune: What Buyers Must Know
Pune’s rapidly growing real-estate market attracts first-time homebuyers, NRIs, and investors. However, even here, gaps remain:
Common Issues Pune Buyers Face
- Unclear loading on carpet area
- High PLC and parking charges
- Amenities not delivered as promised
- Slow-paced tower completion within a large township
- Confusion between RERA carpet area vs brochure carpet area
- Missing actual dates for OC
Given these gaps, any serious buyer in Pune must follow MahaRERA rules for buyers strictly and avoid relying solely on brochures.
7. Impact of Approval Delays on Buyer Finances
Delayed approvals and stalled projects cause:
- Extended rent + EMI burden
- Delayed tax benefits
- Higher interior costs due to inflation
- Mental and financial stress
- Loss of resale value
This makes understanding real estate approval delays a critical part of your due-diligence checklist.
8. How to Protect Yourself: A Transparency Checklist
Here is a reliable, practical checklist extracted from the best Pune property buying guide practices:
✔ Verify RERA Registration
Check everything on the MahaRERA portal.
✔ Insist on Carpet Area Pricing
Follow the golden rule of carpet area vs built-up area.
✔ Demand a Detailed Cost Sheet
Ask for a breakup of every charge nothing hidden.
✔ Check Approval Status
Do not rely on what the brochure claims.
✔ Ask for OC/CC timelines in writing
Most real estate approval delays occur due to poor follow-up by buyers.
✔ Read the Agreement Carefully
Ensure every amenity shown in the brochure is mentioned in the agreement.
✔ Use MahaRERA as Your Shield
Knowing MahaRERA rules for buyers protects you from exploitation.
9. Recent News Highlights Supporting Buyer Awareness
Here are three verified and relevant recent developments:
- MahaRERA starts statewide OC verification only 136 out of 2,600 OCs validated.
- MahaRERA suspends over 4,000 lapsed projects many affecting Pune buyers.
- Courts order interest compensation to buyers for delayed possession across states.
All reinforce the importance of real estate transparency and strict due diligence.
10. Conclusion
Builder brochures are designed to attract not inform. Hidden charges, unclear area definitions, and approval uncertainties can severely impact your buying decision. With rising expectations for real estate transparency, buyers must take responsibility for their own verification.
Understanding carpet area vs built-up area, tracking real estate approval delays, and following MahaRERA rules for buyers places you in a much safer position while navigating the market.
For Pune homebuyers, using a trusted Pune property buying guide and seeking professional assistance can turn a risky decision into a secure investment.
Read More Blogs
- https://nikhilmawale.in/from-consultant-to-market-leader-nikhil-mawales-luxury-real-estate-journey-in-pune/
- https://nikhilmawale.in/your-next-chapter-starts-here-why-ultra-luxury-real-estate-isnt-just-an-investment-its-a-legacy/
- https://nikhilmawale.in/the-game-changer-why-the-mhada-pune-lottery-2025-resets-the-citys-real-estate-market/
