Before Paying a Token: Flat Booking Checklist for Gandhinagar Buyers

Homebuyer reviewing a booking form before paying a token for a Gandhinagar flat

A token is a small payment with large consequences. Before you hand over any amount for a 3 BHK in Gandhinagar, this guide walks through what to verify, what to read, and what to get in writing — step by step.

This is general educational information, not legal advice. It is written to help you ask better questions and collect the right documents; it does not interpret any specific contract clause for you.

Pair it with the GujRERA verification guide, booking due-diligence checklist and Gandhinagar buyer pillar.

As of October 2026: booking processes, forms and payment channels can change between projects and over time. Re-verify every item on this page for your specific transaction; do not rely on a past visit.

Published 13 October 2026 13 min read Booking-stage guide
Open pre-token checklistChecklist Request booking documentsDocuments

Key takeaways

  • Know what you are paying — a token, an EOI and a booking amount can carry different terms; ask which one applies.
  • Read before you sign — the booking form, not a verbal summary, is what governs your payment.
  • Get the price and refund terms in writing — verbal assurances are not evidence later.
  • Statutory limit exists — under Section 13 of the RERA Act, a promoter cannot take more than 10% of the cost before a registered Agreement for Sale.
  • This is not legal advice — have an independent lawyer review your specific documents before you sign or pay.
Quick answer

Before paying any amount toward a flat booking, confirm three things in writing: what the payment is called and how it is treated (token, EOI or booking amount), the total price with every charge listed, and the refund or cancellation terms if you do not proceed. Read the booking form fully before signing it.

Under Section 13 of the RERA Act, a promoter cannot accept more than 10% of the total cost as an advance or application fee before entering into a registered Agreement for Sale with you. Keep this in mind while reviewing any payment request.

This page is general educational information, not legal advice. Review Ariva’s verified project details and have an independent lawyer check your specific documents before you sign or pay.

Token vs EOI vs booking amount

Projects use different labels for the first payment a buyer makes, and the label matters because it can affect what happens if you change your mind. Ask the sales team explicitly which term applies to the amount they are requesting.

None of these categories is universal law by itself; what matters is what your specific receipt, form or agreement says. Use the comparison below as a starting framework for the questions to ask, not as a fixed legal definition.

Ask about

Token amount

Often a smaller sum to signal interest and hold a unit temporarily. Ask whether it is adjustable against the price and what happens if you withdraw.

Ask about

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Sometimes used before a unit is finalised, occasionally refundable if the specific unit is unavailable. Confirm in writing whether it converts automatically into a booking.

Ask about

Booking amount

Usually a larger sum tied to a specific unit and a defined next step, such as signing an Agreement for Sale within a stated period.

Whichever label is used, ask for the exact amount, what it is called on the receipt, and the written terms that apply to it — before you pay.

Verify the project and unit

Before any payment, confirm that the unit being offered actually matches what is registered and what you were shown. This step protects you from confusion between similarly named projects, phases or unit numbers.

Use the seven-step GujRERA verification guide to check the registration number, promoter name, phase and inventory before you go further. Then match the exact unit number, floor and carpet area against the sanctioned plan where available.

1. Registration numberConfirm the project’s GujRERA number and that it matches the phase you are buying into.
2. Promoter identityCheck that the legal promoter name on the booking form matches the registered promoter, not only the marketing brand.
3. Unit identityMatch the exact unit number, floor and carpet area quoted against the sanctioned layout plan.
4. Current statusNote the registered project status and compare it with what you observe at the site visit.

Read the booking form line by line

The booking or application form is the document that actually governs your payment, regardless of what was said during a sales conversation. Read every line before signing, and ask for time to do so if you feel rushed.

Pay particular attention to clauses on adjustability of the amount, timelines for the next payment or agreement, unit-change conditions, and any reference to forfeiture. If a clause is unclear, ask for a plain-language written clarification rather than a verbal explanation.

  • Parties named: confirm the legal promoter entity and your name and details are correctly recorded.
  • Unit and price: check the unit number, floor, carpet area and the price stated match what you discussed.
  • Payment terms: read how the amount is described, whether it is adjustable, and what triggers the next payment.
  • Timelines: note any deadline for signing the Agreement for Sale or making further payments.

Request your own signed copy of the booking form immediately after signing, before you leave the office or complete the payment.

Confirm the total price in writing

A quoted price that only covers the base rate can look smaller than the amount you will actually pay. Ask for a full written breakdown before you commit to any figure verbally.

Use the total cost of a 3 BHK guide as a checklist of charge categories — base price, floor rise, parking, club membership, GST, stamp duty and registration — and confirm each line item for your specific unit rather than assuming a standard figure applies.

Editorial standard. We do not publish a single “typical total cost” figure here because charges vary by project, floor and specification. Request a written, itemised quotation for your exact unit before paying.

Refund and cancellation terms

Ask specifically what happens to your payment if you decide not to proceed, and get the answer in writing rather than relying on a verbal assurance that “it usually works out fine.”

Terms on forfeiture, partial refunds and processing timelines vary between projects and are set out in the specific booking form or Agreement for Sale you are asked to sign. This article does not state what any particular clause means or whether it is enforceable; that assessment depends on your specific documents and is best reviewed by an independent lawyer.

Before paying, ask these questions and record the written answers: What amount, if any, is forfeited on cancellation? Within what timeframe is a refund processed? Does the answer change if the promoter, rather than the buyer, causes a delay?

Payment channel and receipt

Use a traceable payment channel — cheque, bank transfer or a recorded digital payment — for any amount you pay. Avoid paying a significant sum in cash, since it is harder to prove later if a dispute arises.

Confirm the payment is made to the legal promoter entity named in the booking form, not to an individual or an unrelated account. Insist on a signed, dated receipt that states the amount, the payer and payee names, the unit reference and what the payment is described as.

Keep a copy of the receipt, the payment instrument record (cheque image, transfer confirmation or transaction reference) and the booking form together in one file for the duration of your purchase.

Pre-token checklist

Fourteen checks before you pay any amount toward a flat booking. Progress saves locally in your browser; reset when you start a new shortlist.

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Document request email template

Send this before you pay anything. Replace the bracketed fields and adjust to your situation; it is a starting draft, not a legal document.

Subject: Request for booking documents and price confirmation – [Project Name], Unit [Unit No.]

Dear [Sales Representative Name],

Before I proceed with a booking payment for Unit [Unit No.] in [Project Name], please share the following in writing:

1. GujRERA registration number and current project status
2. A copy of the booking / application form I will be asked to sign
3. Total price breakdown (base price, floor rise, parking, club, GST, other charges)
4. Refund and cancellation terms applicable to the amount I would pay
5. Accepted payment channels and the legal payee name for the payment
6. Expected timeline for the Agreement for Sale under Section 13 of the RERA Act

Please confirm these details in writing before I make any payment.

Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Number]

Red flags to slow down for

None of these signals proves wrongdoing on its own, but each is a reason to pause, ask a written question, and wait for a written answer before paying.

Cash-only pressure

Sales insists on cash for a significant amount instead of a traceable payment channel.

No written price

The quoted price is never put in an email, quotation or signed document.

No copy of the form

You are asked to sign the booking form but are not allowed to keep a copy.

RERA number “later”

You are told the GujRERA registration number will be shared after payment.

Vague refund answer

Cancellation terms are waved away verbally instead of shown to you in writing.

Amount over 10%

You are asked for more than 10% of the total cost before a registered Agreement for Sale.

Ariva booking process

This guide describes a general method for evaluating any project’s booking process. For Ariva specifically, request the current booking form, price breakdown and refund terms directly from the sales team rather than relying on this article for project-specific figures.

Request documents firstUse the document-request template above before agreeing to any payment.
No figures assumed hereThis page does not state Ariva’s specific price, token amount or refund terms; confirm these directly.

Contact the Ariva sales team to request approved booking documents before deciding.

Explore our 3 BHK projects

Run the checklist above, then request booking documents for any project below before you pay a token.

Ariva 3 BHK apartments Palm Road Sargasan
ArivaPalm Road · Sargasan
 EKAIVA premium 3 BHK project Gandhinagar
EKAIVASargasan belt
 Royal Riveria 2 riverfront 3 BHK Randesan
Royal Riveria 2Randesan
 PAGE 22 3 BHK project Vaishnodevi circle Khodiyar
PAGE 22Khodiyar
 Pin for Life 3 BHK project Randesan Gandhinagar
Pin for LifeRandesan

Ariva GujRERA: PR/GJ/GANDHINAGAR/GANDHINAGAR/Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation/MAA17033/290626/300632. Verify the latest official record for each project independently before making a booking decision.

Visit usVisit View all projectsProjects

Contact Shree Buildcon · View Ariva layout

Frequently asked questions

Is a booking token refundable?

It depends entirely on the terms stated in your specific booking form or receipt. Some tokens are described as adjustable against the price, others carry forfeiture conditions on cancellation. Get the refund terms in writing before paying, and have a lawyer review the wording if it is unclear.

What is the difference between a token, EOI and booking amount?

These labels are used inconsistently across projects. A token often signals interest, an Expression of Interest sometimes precedes unit finalisation, and a booking amount is usually tied to a specific unit with a defined next step. Ask which term applies to your payment and what written terms come with it.

Which receipt should I insist on after paying a token?

Insist on a signed, dated receipt stating the exact amount, payer and payee names, the unit reference, and what the payment is described as. Confirm the payee is the legal promoter entity named in your booking form, not an individual or unrelated account.

Can I change the unit or floor after paying a token?

This depends on the specific terms in your booking form, which vary by project. Ask explicitly before paying whether a unit change is permitted, whether it affects your token amount, and get the answer in writing rather than relying on a verbal assurance.

What must I check in the booking form before signing?

Check the named parties, unit number, floor, carpet area, stated price, payment terms, adjustability of your amount, timelines for the next payment or agreement, and any cancellation or forfeiture language. Request a copy of the signed form for your own records immediately.

Should I ever pay a token in cash?

Prefer a traceable payment channel such as cheque, bank transfer or a recorded digital payment for any significant amount. Cash payments are harder to prove later if a dispute arises, and a request for cash-only payment beyond a token receipt is a signal to ask more questions.

What documents should I collect before paying any amount?

Collect the GujRERA registration details, a copy of the booking form you sign, a written total-price breakdown, refund and cancellation terms, and a signed receipt for the payment. The document-request template on this page can help you ask for these in writing.

What are common red flags at the token stage?

Cash-only pressure, no written price, being refused a copy of the signed form, a GujRERA number promised only after payment, vague verbal refund answers, and a requested amount exceeding 10% of the total cost before a registered Agreement for Sale are all signals to pause and ask for written answers.

Does paying a token guarantee the price quoted stays fixed?

Only to the extent your specific booking form or receipt states so in writing. Do not assume a verbal price quote is locked in; ask for written confirmation of the price and any conditions under which it could change before you pay.

Where can I verify Ariva's booking process and documents?

This article does not publish Ariva-specific price, token or refund figures. Review Ariva's verified project details and contact the sales team directly to request current, approved booking documents before you decide.