"Possession" refers to the point at which a buyer receives physical access to the property, which is distinct from "registration," the legal act of recording ownership transfer. For ready properties, these often happen close together; for under-construction properties, possession follows completion and typically precedes or coincides with registration.
An occupancy certificate, issued by the relevant municipal authority, confirms that a building is legally fit for occupation and is a document worth requesting before taking possession of a newly completed property.
For under-construction properties, the possession date disclosed under RERA registration (where applicable) is a more reliable reference point than informal timelines mentioned during sales conversations.
