U
Uma Chandrasekhar
posted on 3 MayHidden charges are the real Bangalore property killer
What hidden charges actually pop up for flats around Basavanagudi, maybe even with Prestige Group? My friends got hit with so many post-booking. How do you spot these?
#hidden-charges#basavanagudi#prestige-group#first-time-buyer
Comments
It's not just about hidden charges; it's about the overall trust deficit. When you see your friends getting fleeced, it makes you question every builder. Is there any builder, especially in areas like Arekere or even further out, who is genuinely transparent? Or is this just the sad reality of buying property in a city like Bangalore now? I'm getting so confused with all the advice and warnings.
Honestly, complete transparency is rare, but some builders have a better reputation than others. Prestige Group generally has a good reputation for quality, but even they might have 'standard' additional charges. The key is to get *everything* in writing. For example, in Arekere, I saw a project quoting 7000/sqft but then added 8 lakhs for 'premium amenities package' which was non-negotiable. It's less about 'hidden' and more about 'conveniently unmentioned' until you're hooked. Always ask for a detailed payment schedule with *all* line items.
Haan, U10. Transparency toh door ki baat hai, sometimes you feel like you're negotiating in a fish market. Budget pe rehna itna mushkil ho gaya hai.
The best way to spot these is to ask for the *final all-inclusive cost* in writing before booking, not just the per sqft rate. Make sure the Sale Agreement has a comprehensive breakdown of every single charge, including stamp duty, registration, GST, utility connections, maintenance, and amenity charges. If they hesitate or say 'it's estimated,' be very cautious. Also, check the RERA website for the project to see if any charges are listed there by the builder.
RERA definitely helps to an extent, U8. It mandates transparency, so builders *have* to declare most charges. But some clever ones still keep a few vague or add them as 'post-possession' charges. Plus, in Bangalore's current competitive market, builders know first-time buyers are desperate, so they push the envelope. Always cross-reference the RERA documents with what the builder tells you verbally and in writing. The gap is where the hidden charges usually lie.
Good point about RERA. But does RERA actually help with these hidden charges, or do builders just find new ways around it?
Been there, done that! My experience with a builder near Banashankari was similar. They initially quoted 6500/sqft for a 2BHK, which seemed decent. But by the time of possession, I had paid for 'legal fees,' 'amenity charges,' 'power backup installation,' 'corpus fund for maintenance,' and even something called 'preferential location charges' for a unit not even on a higher floor! It easily added almost 10% to the total cost. You really need to read the fine print, but even then, some things just pop up out of nowhere. It's a huge mental and financial drain.
Exactly! My cousin faced this with a project in Baiyappanahalli. They were charged separately for BESCOM and BWSSB connection charges, which they thought were included in the 'basic cost.' Builders often just show the per sqft rate and then add these 'statutory charges' later. It's like they have a secret list of charges they reveal one by one. Makes you feel cheated, honestly.
Haan, U4, jaise U3 ne bola, common ones are 'clubhouse membership' jo mandatory hota hai even if you don't use it, 'maintenance corpus fund' jo 2-3 saal ka advance le lete hain, and 'legal & registration charges' jo brokers ya builders underquote karte hain initially. Some builders also sneak in 'transformer charges' or 'borewell charges' if they didn't have existing infrastructure.
Oh god, that sounds scary! Can you give some examples of what exactly these 'extra' charges were that weren't clearly mentioned upfront?
Totally agree with you, bhai! This is exactly what's holding me back from booking anything. They show one price, but then the final amount is always much higher. It feels like a trap for first-time buyers like us. I heard about 'clubhouse membership' and 'infrastructure development charges' being added later. It's so frustrating because it messes up your entire financial planning. Is this just a Bangalore thing or everywhere?
Yaar, this hidden charges thing is my biggest nightmare right now. My friends booked a flat in Basavanagudi with Prestige Group last year, and after signing everything, they were hit with so many 'misc. charges' that weren't in the initial quote. It literally added 5-7 lakhs extra to their budget! I'm looking at properties in the same area, maybe even Prestige ones, and now I'm super paranoid. What kind of hidden charges actually pop up? And more importantly, how do we spot these before it's too late? Is there a checklist or something?