Also known as Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016
RERA requires most new residential and commercial projects, and real estate agents, to register with the state’s RERA authority. Registered projects must disclose details such as carpet area, approvals and timelines, and advertisements must show the project’s RERA registration number and the authority’s website.
Each state has its own authority — for example MahaRERA in Maharashtra and RERA Karnataka in Karnataka.
Example
Checking a project before booking
Before booking a ₹1.2 crore flat in a 300-unit tower in Thane, a buyer looks up the project on the MahaRERA website. The page lists the promoter, approvals, carpet areas, the completion date the promoter declared and quarterly progress updates. Because the project has more than eight apartments, it had to be registered under section 3 before it could be advertised.
Figures are illustrative, not market rates.
Across India
- Maharashtra: Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), which also runs a competency requirement for agents.
- Haryana: separate authorities sit in Gurugram (for Gurugram district) and Panchkula (for the rest of the state).
- Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh: Real Estate Regulatory Authority Karnataka and UP RERA, each with its own rules, fees and portal.
- Each state notifies its own rules under the Act, so forms, fees and timelines differ even though the Act is the same.
Questions about RERA
Which projects must register under RERA?
Under section 3, projects in planning areas must register unless the land is no more than 500 square metres or the project has no more than eight apartments, including all phases. States can set lower limits. Projects with a completion certificate before the Act began were exempt.
Do real estate agents need RERA registration?
Yes. Section 9 requires agents who facilitate the sale or purchase of units in registered projects to register with the state authority. Section 62 provides a penalty of up to ₹10,000 per day of default, capped at 5% of the cost of the unit concerned.
How do I file a complaint under RERA?
Section 31 lets any aggrieved person complain to the state RERA authority or adjudicating officer about a violation by a promoter, buyer or agent. Most authorities accept complaints online through their portal with a fee, and orders can be appealed to the state appellate tribunal.
Sources
- Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 — India Code · accessed
- RERA Act, 2016 full text (hosted by UP RERA) · accessed
- Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) · accessed
- Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority · accessed
- Real Estate Regulatory Authority Karnataka · accessed
See also
Reviewed