Last updated: 24 October 2026
This guide covers additional costs of buying a home and what to check before you decide.
The price quoted by a builder or broker is rarely the price you actually pay. Between registration, GST, parking, club fees, maintenance deposits and a long tail of one-time charges, buyers often end up paying noticeably more than the headline figure on the brochure. Walking into a property purchase without budgeting for these is one of the most common, and most expensive, mistakes Indian homebuyers make.
This is a clear breakdown of the additional costs you should plan for before signing anything, so you can ask the developer or broker for each charge in writing.
The Hidden Costs of Buying a Property in India: additional costs of buying a home
The basic price is just the starting line. Add these to your budget before you commit, and you’ll have no surprises at the registration desk.
1. Stamp Duty and Registration Charges
The single largest add-on. In Telangana, a sale deed outside gram panchayats costs 5.5% stamp duty, 1.5% transfer duty and a 0.5% registration fee, 7.5% in total. On a Rs 1 crore property, that is about Rs 7.5 lakh out of pocket on the day of registration, charged on the higher of the sale price or the government market value. These charges are non-negotiable and have to be paid in cash or DD on the day, not built into the home loan in most cases.
2. GST (For Under-Construction Properties)
If you’re buying an under-construction flat, you’ll pay 5% GST on the total consideration value (1% for affordable housing within the carpet area and value limits). Ready-to-move-in properties with a Occupancy Certificate are GST-exempt, , which can be a price advantage over under-construction homes. On a Rs 1 crore under-construction property, GST adds another Rs 5 lakh.
3. Parking, Club Membership and Floor-Rise Charges
Many projects charge separately for covered parking, one-time club membership, preferred location charges (PLC) for corner units or premium views, and floor-rise charges. Ask for each in writing. None of these are usually in the brochure quote.
4. Maintenance Deposit and Society Setup
Builders typically collect advance maintenance for a set number of months, plus a one-time corpus contribution to the society sinking fund. Ask for the number of months, the rate per sq ft and the corpus amount in writing. There’s also a one-time society formation cost and electricity/water connection deposits.
5. Home Loan Processing, Legal and Insurance
Banks charge a processing fee, plus property valuation, legal verification, mortgage stamp duty and franking charges (varies by state). Many banks also offer home loan insurance, which can be useful but is usually optional, so check the cost. Add a brokerage fee if you went through an agent, and agree it in writing.
6. Interior Fit-Outs and Move-In Costs
The flat is yours but it’s still a shell. Modular kitchens, wardrobes, false ceilings, lighting, appliances, basic furniture, even a budget interior can add up quickly on a 3 BHK, and premium finishes cost more. A common planning guide is to set aside around 10% of the property value for interiors; get quotes before you decide. Our interior budget guide covers this in detail.
What This Means for Your Budget
As an illustration, on a Rs 1 crore under-construction property, duties of 7.5% (Rs 7.5 lakh) and GST of 5% (Rs 5 lakh) alone add about Rs 12.5 lakh, before parking, maintenance deposits, loan costs and interiors. Add the rest from the developer’s charge sheet before you start shortlisting, because it changes which properties you should genuinely be looking at. For a structured approach, see our home loan checklist.
Ready to start your search? Read the Telangana property registration process and how to verify RERA approval, then view Auro Realty’s residential projects.
For official information, see TGRERA.
What are the hidden costs when buying a property in India?
The major add-ons are stamp duty, transfer duty and registration (7.5% in Telangana for a sale deed outside gram panchayats), GST on under-construction property (5%), parking and club membership, maintenance deposit, home loan processing and legal fees, and interior fit-outs. Together they can add a significant amount on top of the quoted property price, so ask for the full charge sheet.
How much is stamp duty and registration in Hyderabad?
In Telangana, a sale deed outside gram panchayats costs 5.5% stamp duty, 1.5% transfer duty and a 0.5% registration fee, 7.5% in total. On a Rs 1 crore property, that is about Rs 7.5 lakh payable in cash or DD on registration day, and usually not financed by the home loan.
Do you pay GST on a ready-to-move-in property?
No. Ready-to-move-in properties with a Occupancy Certificate (CC) are GST-exempt. GST of 5% (1% for affordable housing) only applies to under-construction properties, which is one reason CC-issued projects often have a hidden price advantage over launch-stage units.
See also: How to Buy Your First Apartment in Hyderabad.
For a project example in Kondapur, see The Regent, which is under construction; check the current status on the project page.
