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What is RERA

There have been several transformations in the real estate sector of India during recent years. In the past, many people experienced several problems such as delay in projects, additional charges, lack of transparency, and poor quality of construction. To address such concerns and provide security for buyers, the Indian government formulated the Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA).

At present, RERA holds significant importance regarding transparency and reliability in the real estate market. If you are going to purchase a house or invest in any property, it is crucial that you must be aware of what RERA is and how it can help you as a buyer.

This article aims at providing an insight into the significance of RERA, its complete form, advantages, buyer rights, and its influence on the real estate market in India

What is RERA in Real Estate?

RERA means Real Estate Regulatory Authority. It is an authority formed by the government for the regulation of the real estate market in India.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 was passed by the Indian government for the protection of consumers in the real estate market and for creating a transparent relationship between builders and buyers.

There have been many issues with regard to delay in the construction of projects and non-disclosure of relevant facts before passing an agreement. RERA came into existence to rectify these problems.

Under RERA, it is mandatory for all the real estate projects and developers to register themselves before selling any property.

What is Full Form of RERA & Why RERA Was Introduced

The full form of RERA is Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

This organisation has been formed under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

RERA has been constituted for every state of India, such as:

  • Haryana RERA (HRERA)
  • Maharashtra RERA (MahaRERA)
  • Uttar Pradesh RERA (UP RERA)
  • Delhi RERA

They regulate real estate projects within their own states.

There were many difficulties in the real estate sector before the formulation of RERA.

The buyers used to face many problems, which included:

  • Delay in the delivery of projects
  • Alteration of plans by developers
  • Additional hidden charges
  • No legal protection for the buyers
  • Poor construction quality
  • Lack of transparency

All these resulted in low credibility in the real estate sector.

To solve these issues and protect the interests of homebuyers, the Government introduced RERA in 2016.

What is the Rights of Homebuyers Under RERA

The real estate industry witnessed many problems before the introduction of RERA. The customers used to face many difficulties like delay in the completion of the project, extra charges, lack of transparency and poor construction. In order to address these problems, the authorities came up with RERA.

1. Right to Complete Project Information :

One of the most crucial rights under the RERA Act for homebuyers is the right to receive full project information. The developer should provide comprehensive project details such as approval, plan, construction, project schedule, and project completion time.

2. Right to Timely Delivery :

Project delays were among the major problems in the real estate industry before the advent of the RERA Act. Most buyers waited for many years for possession of their property.

3. Right to Receive Details About Carpet Area :

Prior to RERA, most developers used super built-up areas for selling properties. This led to uncertainty among consumers about the actual usable area in their property. The RERA Act introduced the concept of carpet area. It defines carpet area as the actual usable area in an apartment.

4. Right to Good Quality of Construction :

Apart from the above rights, consumers also have the right to receive the property with a good quality of construction. Within five years of possession of the property, if consumers find any defect or problem with regard to the construction, the builder is supposed to remedy the problem.

Without any additional costs from consumers, builders are supposed to solve problems within a stipulated period. It will help to improve the construction standards in the real estate sector.

5. Right to File Complaints :

Under RERA registered number, homebuyers have the right to file any complaints against real estate agents or developers. Homebuyers can approach the concerned RERA authority if they have issues like delay in the project, misleading advertisements, or projects violating the project plans.

With regard to complaints, concerned RERA authorities will take necessary actions after examining the complaints filed by buyers. Compared to other legal methods, RERA offers an easier method to file complaints.

6. Right to Refund :

Finally, under some circumstances, buyers have the right to ask developers for a refund. In case, developers do not fulfill the agreement with consumers and fail to meet deadlines, consumers have the freedom to back out of the project.

Accordingly, the developer is required to return the money deposited by the buyer along with the interest.

Also Read: Top 10 Cities for live in India 2026

How to Check if a Project is RERA Approved

Before purchasing any property, one must ensure that the project is registered under RERA.

Here are the steps you can take:

  • Log on to the state RERA website.
  • Search for the project name or the developer’s name.
  • Verify the project registration number.
  • Get information about the project and its approval.

By purchasing a RERA registered project, one is safe from any legal troubles.

Why RERA is Important for Property Buyers

For those looking to purchase property, RERA certification is essential.

Why? Because a RERA certified project provides:

  • Legal Protection
  • Transparency in Projects
  • Delivery on time
  • Financial security

It also safeguards customers from fraudsters and misinformation.

Due to these reasons, many people advise that one should purchase property only through RERA certified projects.

Conclusion

The RERA has emerged as one of the major reforms in India's real estate sector. The implementation of RERA has provided equal rights to both buyers and developers.

Due to greater transparency in the property market, protection of consumer rights, and proper regulation of the real estate project, RERA has brought more faith among consumers towards the real estate industry.

While buying a property, make sure that the particular project is registered under the RERA or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

The RERA number means a unique identification number assigned to a real estate project by the State's RERA authority.

RERA stands for Real Estate Regulatory Authority, which came into existence as per the Real Estate Act, 2016.

For homebuyers, it offers protection against delays, fraud, and poor-quality construction, while developers benefit from a more organized and trustworthy market.

Under the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act, 2016, developers must deposit 70% of project funds in escrow; 30% is allowed for land and other expenses.

Visit your state RERA website, register as a promoter or agent, submit required documents, pay fees, and track application status online.

The cost of a RERA license in India varies by state but typically ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹1-2 lakh, depending on project size.

Yes, RERA generally applies to the sale of properties, not regular rental agreements, unless they are part of a registered real estate project.

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