Get the Tata Capital App to apply for Loans & manage your account. Download Now

Blogs

SUPPORT

Tata Capital > Blog > Loan for Home > Composite Loans Explained: 10 Important Things to Know

Loan for Home

Composite Loans Explained: 10 Important Things to Know

Composite Loans Explained: 10 Important Things to Know

Do you dream of building a house with a private gym or a swimming pool? Do you want to own a vacation home in the mountains or facing a beach? Well, building a home gives you the freedom to customise it according to your wants and style. But it can also cost a fortune.

If you’re thinking of building a home to suit your aesthetics, a composite loan is the best tool to finance your dreams. A composite loan is a credit taken for purchasing land and building a house on it. 

In this blog, we’ll understand the composite loan meaning and look at other important details you must know before applying for one. Let’s dive right in.

What is a Composite Loan?

A composite home loan allows you to buy land and build a home on it within a given period. In simple words, a composite loan meaning is when you combine land and construction loans. But how do you know if a composite loan is right for you?

Well, if you want to start the construction of your house immediately after buying the land, then you must get a composite loan. However, if you’re planning to buy the land now but begin the house construction after a few years, then a composite loan is not the best option for you.

This is because a composite loan requires you to complete the construction within a given period after taking the loan. 

But before you proceed with your application, here are 10 things you must know about the composite home loan-

Composite Loan vs Land Loan – Key Differences

Lenders extend a land loan to only purchase a plot or land. However, a composite loan scheme includes both land and construction cost. While applying for a composite housing loan, you have to share your construction plans with the lender. Therefore, if you plan to start the construction at a later stage, apply for a land loan.

Also, read – Top Things to keep in mind before prepaying your Home Loan

Composite Loan Interest Rates

Home loans attract the cheapest interest rates among all loan products. Lenders extend home loans to buy a ready-to-move or an under-construction house. However, composite loan interest rates are slightly higher because it serves two purposes- buying land and constructing a house. 

Constructing a house is mandatory

With a composite home loan, it is mandatory to construct a house on the land you purchased. Therefore, if you do not plan to start construction within the next year or two, availing of a land loan will be a better choice.

Also, read – Difference Between a Home Loan and a Plot Loan

You must start constructing the house soon

Most financial institutions require you to start constructing the house within 1-2 years under their composite loan scheme. If you fail to do this, the lender can increase your composite loan interest rates or ask you to make the repayment and close it.

Lenders disburse the loan in tranches

While availing of a composite housing loan, you will not receive the entire loan amount in a lump sum. The lender will disburse the loan in three stages-

Stage 1- When you purchase the land

Stage 2- When you begin constructing the house

Stage 3- Released in installments as construction progresses

You must submit your construction plans along with a breakup of costs to the lender. This will help to determine your composite loan interest rates and the amount of disbursement. 

You will receive the composite loan amount in your personal bank account

Financial institutions will disburse the loan amount in instalments directly to your bank account. Since you have already shared the construction plans with the lender, make sure you use your composite housing loan only to buy land and construct the house. 

Also, read – What is a Home Equity Loan & its Calculation?

You can take composite loan tax benefits

If you complete the construction of your house within 3 years, you can enjoy composite loan tax benefits under the Income Tax Act. After you complete the construction of your house, you can start taking composite loan tax benefits for the principal amount and interest paid every year.

A completion certificate is required to enjoy composite home loan tax benefits

After completing the construction of your house, you must submit the completion certificate to your lender and start making your EMI payments. You can start taking composite home loan tax benefits from the year of completion of construction.

Also, read – How a change in repo rate impacts your home loan EMIs

NRIs are also eligible for a composite loan

NRIs are equally eligible to apply for a loan as other Indian citizens. The loan application and disbursement process are the same for all.

Lenders approve up to 80% of your land and construction cost

When you avail of a composite loan scheme, you can fund up to 80% of the total cost. Lenders will evaluate the estimated land and construction cost based on the documents you submit and extend credit for up to 80% of this value.

Also, read – Difference Between A Co-Borrower, Co-Owner, Co-Signer And Co-Applicant Of A Home Loan

Composite Home Loan Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for a composite loan will vary from lender to lender. But there are some common conditions that you must fulfill before submitting your application. These include-

  • Your age must be between 18 and 70 years
  • You must be an Indian citizen
  • You must have a stable source of income whether you are salaried or self-employed
  • You must have a good credit score

Composite Loan Tax Benefits

Similar to a home loan, you can enjoy tax benefits on a composite loan too. But composite loan tax benefits come with a condition – you must complete the construction of your home within three years from the loan sanction.

Remember, for the duration of the construction, you will have to pay regular EMIs as per your agreement. Once the construction is complete, you can start claiming tax benefits every year on your principal and interest payments.

These benefits are covered under different sections of the IT Act. You can claim a tax benefit of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh on the principal repayment amount and up to Rs. 2 lakh on the interest.

Also, read – Documents required for Home Loan

Documents Required for a Composite Loan

The documents required to apply for a composite loan differ from lender to lender. Some common documents include-

  • ID and address proof
  • Last six months’ bank account statement
  • Last three months’ salary slips
  • Proof of business
  • Form 16 or ITR files for the last two years

Construct your dream home with Tata Capital

From choosing the right architect to comparing different schemes for a composite home loan, building a house has a whole set of challenges. But in the end, it is all worth it when your house looks exactly the way you dreamed.

But if you’ve found your dream house that is ready to move or under construction, you can easily finance it with Tata Capital’s affordable home loan. Besides a simple loan process and affordable interest rates, you can also enjoy other benefits like flexible loan tenures, easy repayment plans, and much more. So, whether you’re buying a new home or renovating an existing place, we have got you covered for all.

Also, read – Minimum CIBIL Score Required for Home Loan

Composite Loan vs Traditional Home Loan

Composite loan meaning is different from that of a traditional home loan.

The first composite vs home loan difference is their primary function. While a composite loan allows you to buy and construct your home, a traditional home loan is mainly used to buy an already-built home or a one under-construction.

The next traditional vs composite loan difference is the disbursal method. The composite loan is disbursed in stages. The first disbursement for land purchases and subsequent ones are disbursed in phases as construction progresses.

The home loan is disbursed as a lump sum for a ready-to-move home or in instalments based on construction progress for under-construction properties.

Another composite and home loan comparison factor is their documents. While the former requires purchase and construction-related papers, the latter focuses on property-related documents.

One final point that stands out when we compare composite and regular loans is the interest rates. Composite loans have higher interest rates because lenders consider under-construction properties as riskier. On the other hand, home loans have typically lower rates as constructed properties are associated with less risk.

Benefits of Composite Home Loan

With the composite loan meaning clear, let’s see why to choose composite loan over other types of loans. Here are the benefits of composite home loan:

1. Loan consolidation: Rather than applying for and handling multiple loans for purchasing a plot and then building a home on it, management becomes easier and more structured with a single loan. 

2. Cost-effective: Another composite loan advantage is that it has lower interest rates as compared to two separate loans, one for the plot and one for construction.

3. Phased disbursement: Since the loan amount is disbursed in stages according to construction progress and interest is charged only on the released amount, your cash flow management becomes easier.

4. Planning flexibility: This is one of the best composite loan features that offers you planning flexibility. If you are not ready to build immediately, a composite loan gives you a breathing space of 1-2 years to plan the construction after plot purchase.

How Composite Loan Disbursement Works

You get a composite loan in multiple loan disbursement steps. First, when you purchase the plot and then as your construction progresses. This is how a typical composite loan disbursement process looks like:

1st instalment: Purchase of land/plot.

2nd instalment: Beginning of construction.

3rd instalment: Completion of 30% construction.

4th instalment: Completion of 50% construction.

5th instalment: Completion of 90% construction

This is not the only unique thing about how composite loan works. When it comes to composite loan payout, you only have to pay interest on the disbursed amount until all funds are released, and full EMIs begin after the final tranche.

Tips to Choose the Right Composite Loan

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you choose composite loan:

  • Evaluate interest rates, construction time, and processing charges of various lenders to find the best composite home loan agreement that suits your financial condition.
  • Make sure there is no confusion about the construction timeline, as it can affect loan disbursal.
  • Since the loan is released in phases, your EMI won’t stay the same. It will go up as more money is disbursed. Make sure you understand the full payment schedule to confirm you’re selecting right composite loan for you.
  • Another one of the best tips for composite loan selection is to get realistic cost estimates from a qualified architect or contractor. This way, you’ll borrow the right amount and won’t run out of funds mid-construction.
More About Loans

FAQs

How does a composite loan differ from a land loan?

A composite loan meaning is when you purchase a plot of land and construct a house on it. In contrast, a land loan is only meant to finance the plot of land and not the construction.

Can NRIs apply for composite loans?

Yes, NRIs can also apply for composite loans. All conditions, including construction timelines and staged disbursements, that apply to Indian residents are also applied to them. 

What is the maximum tenure for a composite loan?

The maximum tenure for a composite loan varies across lenders. While some lenders may offer a tenure as high as 30 years, it typically ranges from 10 to 20 years.

What are the tax benefits associated with composite loans?

Once construction is complete, you can claim annual tax benefits of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh on principal repayment and up to Rs. 2 lakhs on interest under various sections of the Income Tax Act.

How is the interest rate on composite loans calculated?

Interest is charged only on the amount disbursed at each stage, not on the full loan amount. This means you pay interest only on funds actually released for plot purchase and construction.

What documents are required to apply for a composite loan?

The documents needed to apply for a composite loan include ID and address proof, bank account statement, salary slips, business proof, and Form 16 or ITR files.