Parking Types — Comparison
| Type | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stilt Parking | Ground floor open — building raised on stilts/columns | No additional cost; well-ventilated; easy access | No roof — exposed to elements; security concerns |
| Podium Parking | Multi-level parking on a raised platform with residences above | Secure; weather-protected; maximises land use | Higher cost; elevator needed for upper podium levels |
| Basement Parking | Underground — below ground level | Secure; temperature controlled; maximises ground area | Flood risk in low areas; poor ventilation; higher cost |
| Open Parking | Surface level marked spaces in compound | Cheapest; easy access; no structural cost | No weather protection; less secure; space-inefficient |
| Mechanical Parking | Automated multi-level parking systems | Maximum space utilisation in limited area | High maintenance cost; breakdown risk; slow retrieval |
Your Parking Rights Under RERA
Key Parking Rights Under RERA and SC Rulings
- Common parking cannot be sold: RERA prohibits builders from selling parking spaces in common areas to individual buyers — these belong to all residents
- Allotted parking is legal: A specific numbered parking space allotted exclusively to your flat (stated in sale deed) is valid
- Parking in RERA agreement: Check your builder-buyer agreement — it must specify parking type and whether it is included in the purchase
- Visitor parking: Must be maintained as common — society cannot allocate visitor parking to residents permanently
- Two-wheeler parking: Common two-wheeler parking area cannot be sold or exclusively allotted to any individual
- EV charging: Increasingly mandated in new projects — check if charging points are available in your parking space
Check parking in your sale deed: Confirm the parking space number/type assigned to your flat is mentioned in the registered sale deed. Parking not mentioned in the sale deed is not legally yours — it is common area. Many builders verbally promise parking but do not include it in legal documents — insist on written, registered documentation.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Apartment parking types: Stilt — ground floor open under elevated building; Podium — multi-level parking on a raised platform; Basement — underground parking; Open — surface level in compound; Mechanical — automated multi-level system. Each has different cost, convenience, and security implications. Basement and podium parking are more secure; open parking is cheapest but exposed.
Common area parking cannot be sold separately — RERA and Supreme Court rulings prohibit selling parking in common areas as a separate unit. However, a specific numbered parking space that is part of your exclusive allotment (mentioned in the sale deed) can be sold as part of the flat. Builders frequently try to sell parking separately — insist on checking RERA regulations and have your lawyer verify.
Depends on the project — some builders include one parking space in the flat price; others charge separately for stilt or basement parking (₹2–15 lakh typically depending on city and type). Check the builder-buyer agreement carefully. Ensure the parking space number is mentioned in the registered sale deed. Parking spaces in common areas cannot be charged for separately.
If parking was promised in the builder-buyer agreement or sale deed, the builder must provide it. File a complaint with the state RERA authority — RERA can direct the builder to allot the promised parking space or pay compensation. If parking was verbally promised but not in writing, recovery is difficult — which is why getting parking details in writing in the agreement is essential.
Yes. Once the society is formed, it can allot designated parking spaces to members — typically through a lottery system or first-come-first-served basis. The society can charge a separate parking maintenance fee. However, visitor parking must remain available for visitors and cannot be permanently allotted to any resident. Common two-wheeler parking areas similarly cannot be exclusively allotted.