If you are looking at a new launch, the sales team will often ask for an EOI before prices and inventory are fully released. This guide explains what an EOI is, what you are actually paying for, and the questions to ask before you pay.
EOI meaning in real estate
EOI stands for Expression of Interest. It is a written request, usually with a payment, that tells the developer you want to buy in a project that is about to launch. In return you get priority: an earlier slot to choose a unit, and sometimes a launch price or offer that later buyers don’t get.
An EOI is not a purchase. You haven’t been allotted a specific flat, and there is no agreement for sale yet. It is a place in the queue.
How the EOI process works
- Pre-launch or launch announcement. The developer or its channel partners start collecting interest, usually through site offices, CPs, ads and a project landing page.
- EOI form and payment. You fill a form with your preferred configuration (for example 2 or 3 BHK), budget and floor preference, and pay the EOI amount by cheque or bank transfer.
- Allotment. On launch day, EOI holders are called in order — first-come or by draw — to select a unit from the released inventory.
- Booking or refund. If you choose a unit, the EOI is usually adjusted against the booking amount. If you don’t find a suitable unit, the EOI terms decide whether and when you get a refund.
EOI amounts vary widely by project and city. There is no standard figure — always check the amount against the project’s pricing and the written terms.
EOI vs token amount vs booking amount
| Term | When it is paid | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| EOI | Before or at launch | Priority to choose a unit; no specific unit yet |
| Token amount | After selecting a unit | That unit held for you for a short time while paperwork is done |
| Booking amount | When you confirm the purchase | Allotment of the unit, followed by the agreement for sale |
Developers use these terms slightly differently, so read the receipt and application form rather than relying on the name.
Is EOI refundable?
Often yes, but only on the conditions written in the EOI terms. Common patterns are a full refund if you don’t get a unit you want at allotment, and a deduction or forfeiture if you withdraw after selecting a unit. What matters is what is in writing:
- Is the EOI fully refundable if you don’t choose a unit?
- How many days does the refund take, and is there any deduction?
- Is the EOI adjusted against the booking amount if you go ahead?
If the answers are only verbal, ask for them in writing before paying.
EOI and RERA: what the law says
Two parts of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 matter here:
- Section 3 says a promoter cannot advertise, market, book, sell or offer for sale any unit in a project that has to be registered, without first registering it with the state RERA authority. Collecting money for an unregistered project is therefore risky for both sides.
- Section 13 says a promoter cannot take more than 10% of the cost of the unit as an advance or application fee without first entering into a written agreement for sale and registering it.
So before paying an EOI, check that the project has a RERA registration number and look it up on the state RERA website. For projects in Uttar Pradesh, that is UP RERA.
Checklist before paying an EOI
- The project’s RERA registration number, checked on the RERA website.
- Written EOI terms: refund conditions, timelines and deductions.
- Payment by cheque or bank transfer to the developer’s account, never in cash.
- A receipt that names the project, the amount and your preferred configuration.
- Clarity on how allotment will work: first-come, draw, or floor-wise release.
For developers: running an EOI campaign properly
A good EOI campaign is a lead-generation campaign with clear rules. Buyers trust it more when the project page shows the RERA number, the EOI amount and refund terms up front, and when every enquiry gets a quick, specific reply instead of a generic callback.
We build project landing pages that explain the EOI process clearly, run Meta and Google campaigns to fill the priority list, and set up WhatsApp automation that sends the EOI form and terms the moment someone enquires. See our example launch plan for how the campaigns are structured.
This article explains general practice and is not legal advice. Check the current RERA rules in your state and the terms of the specific project.