Buying a home is about timing as much as it is about layout and views. Your agreement fixes a possession date so you can plan EMIs, school admissions, and a move-in without chaos. When a builder misses that date, costs pile up and confidence takes a hit. The silver lining is that Indian homebuyers have clear protections under RERA. In this guide, you'll see what a "delay" actually means, the rights you can use, a clean action plan, and common traps to avoid if possession at Godrej MSR City slips past the contracted timeline.

Is Godrej MSR City covered by RERA?

Yes. Godrej MSR City in Shettigere, North Bangalore, is RERA approved with Registration No. PRM/KA/RERA/1250/303/PR/010425/007644. Phase 1 spans 19 acres within a 62-acre township, and the overall completion timeline announced for the project is five years from April 2025, with possession targeted after March 2030. Keep these dates and the RERA number handy in all paperwork and communications.

What exactly counts as a delay?

Your Agreement for Sale usually mentions a possession date, a small grace period, and clauses for force majeure. If the builder crosses the possession date plus any agreed grace period without a legally valid reason, that's a delay. Force majeure events are narrow. Off-site issues or generic "market conditions" usually don't qualify. Always read the exact wording in your contract.

Your core rights under RERA (Section 18)

RERA gives you two powerful options if possession is delayed beyond the contracted date. You can exit with a full refund plus interest. You can withdraw from the project and claim a full refund of all amounts paid, along with interest calculated from the due date of possession until the refund date. Or you can stay and claim interest for every month of delay. If you still want the apartment, you can claim interest for each month of delay until lawful possession is offered. Across states, the delay interest is usually linked to SBI's MCLR plus a margin as notified by the state RERA authority. The exact rate can change over time, so use the prevailing rate when you compute your claim.

A simple way to think about interest

Start date for interest: the day after your contractual possession due date (including grace, if any). Base amount: the amounts you paid to the builder, as per your payment schedule. End date: refund date or the date lawful possession with approvals is offered. Keep a neat spreadsheet with dates, amounts paid, and your month-wise interest calculation. It saves time and strengthens your case.

Don't accept "soft possession" without approvals

Never take keys without statutory approvals. A safe handover typically follows this order: project completes as per sanctioned plans, Completion Certificate (CC) issued by the competent authority, builder obtains the Occupancy Certificate (OC), and final demand and possession offered with OC. If you accept "soft possession" before OC, you may face issues with utilities, fire safety, insurance, resale, or even loan disbursals. Ask for copies of CC and OC along with the possession letter.

Step-by-step plan if your flat is delayed at Godrej MSR City

First, re-check your agreement. Note the exact possession date and grace period. Write down the due date in day-month-year format and count the months of delay.

Next, build your evidence file. Create a folder with your agreement, demand letters, payment receipts, bank statements, and any emails from the builder. Add a simple delay-interest sheet based on the rate used by the state authority.

Then, send a formal notice to the developer. State that possession is overdue. Clearly choose your remedy under RERA Section 18: either refund with interest or interest for every month of delay while you remain in the project. Attach your calculation.

If there’s no resolution, escalate through RERA. File a complaint with Karnataka RERA. The filing is straightforward and involves a nominal fee. Quote your unit details, RERA number, payment schedule, agreed possession date, months delayed, and the relief you seek. Attach all proofs.

Keep the Consumer Commission route in view. For persistent delay or deficiency in service, you may approach the Consumer Commission. Many buyers use RERA first and keep this as a parallel or backup route based on legal advice.

Finally, register only after OC. If the builder calls you for registration before OC, ask for proof of approvals. Registering too early can weaken your leverage.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Do not sign away your rights in an addendum. Read any extension letter or addendum carefully. Some documents appear harmless but waive compensation or stretch timelines without interest.

Do not count bank EMI interest as compensation. Your bank loan is a separate contract. Compensation flows from your builder-buyer agreement and RERA. Don't mix the two when you compute claims.

Do not accept possession without checking documents. Ask for CC and OC copies. Verify that your tower and your unit are included.

Do not keep scattered records. Courts and authorities love clarity. A tidy pack of proof speeds things up. Keep emails, notices, and receipts in date order with a short index page.

Why this matters for buyers at Godrej MSR City

Godrej MSR City is a large, phased township with thousands of units across high-rise clusters. Timelines can vary by tower, so your relief is tied to your agreement date and your tower's approvals. Because the project is RERA-registered, there's a transparent path for redress if milestones slip. If the contracted date passes without lawful possession and no valid force majeure applies, you can either exit and collect a refund with interest, or stay and receive monthly delay interest until you get a proper handover with OC. In both cases, good documentation and a calm, step-by-step approach make the difference.

Quick FAQ
What documents should I ask for at handover?

Demand the possession letter, demand note, final dues statement, CC, OC, and copies of sanctioned plans and NOCs relevant to your tower.

Can the builder extend the date unilaterally?

Not without your consent and valid legal grounds. Extensions must follow the agreement and the law.

Can I claim rent paid during the delay?

RERA focuses on interest-based compensation. Some consumer cases have awarded additional sums on facts, but treat rent recovery as case-specific, not automatic.

When should I register the flat?

After OC is issued and your dues are reconciled. Registering before OC can leave you exposed.