What is RERA and Why Should Buyers Care?

Why should you care as a Homebuyers?

What is RERA and Why Should Buyers Care?
• 4 min read •

If you're planning to buy a property in India, you've likely come across the term RERA. But what exactly is it? And more importantly — why should you care as a homebuyer?

In this blog, we’ll break down what RERA means, how it protects you, and why it's one of the most important regulations for property buyers in India today.


🏗️ What is RERA?

RERA stands for Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, which came into effect in May 2017. It was introduced by the Government of India to bring transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the real estate sector — especially in residential projects.

Before RERA, buyers often faced delayed possession, hidden charges, unclear documentation, and poor construction quality. The law was designed to protect the interests of homebuyers and regulate builders and developers.

Each state in India has its own RERA authority that oversees real estate projects and handles complaints from buyers.


🔍 Why Was RERA Introduced?

The real estate market in India was once largely unregulated. As a result:

  • Builders often delayed possession beyond promised timelines.
  • Buyers had little recourse if developers violated agreements.
  • Misleading advertisements and unclear project approvals were common.
  • Many projects were sold before even receiving basic approvals.

RERA was introduced to change the game and create a buyer-friendly ecosystem in the property market.


🛡️ Key Protections RERA Offers to Buyers

✅ 1. Timely Delivery of Projects

Builders must now register their projects with RERA before advertising or selling. They are also legally bound to complete the project by the promised date — or pay penalties to buyers for delays.

✅ 2. 100% Project Transparency

All project details (approvals, land title, layouts, timelines, cost structure, and progress updates) must be uploaded on the state RERA website. Buyers can access this data before making a decision.

✅ 3. Advance Payment Limit

Promoters can't demand more than 10% of the property’s cost as advance before signing a sale agreement — protecting you from unexpected upfront demands.

✅ 4. Use of Funds

At least 70% of the money collected from buyers must be kept in a separate bank account, to be used only for that specific project. This prevents misuse of funds across multiple developments.

✅ 5. 5-Year Defect Liability

If structural or workmanship defects are found within 5 years of possession, the builder is obligated to fix them at no extra cost to the buyer.

✅ 6. Standardized Carpet Area

RERA mandates that builders sell based on carpet area, not super built-up area, removing confusion and inflated pricing.

✅ 7. Right to Legal Recourse

Buyers can file complaints directly with the state RERA authority if a builder fails to deliver as promised. This has made the grievance redressal process faster and more accessible.


🏘️ Which Projects Come Under RERA?

RERA applies to:

  • All residential and commercial projects over 500 sq. meters or more than 8 units.
  • New and ongoing projects that haven’t received completion certificates before the Act came into effect.
  • Agents and brokers involved in the sale of registered projects.

Note: Always check if a project is RERA-registered before investing. You can do this easily by visiting your state RERA website.


📲 How to Check RERA Registration (Step-by-Step)

  1. Go to your state’s official RERA website (e.g. maharera.mahaonline.gov.in for Maharashtra).
  2. Use the "Search Project" or "Registered Projects" tab.
  3. Enter the project name, builder name, or RERA ID.
  4. View project details, approval status, timelines, and documents.

❗ Why Should You Care as a Buyer?

Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. RERA gives you:

  • Legal protection
  • Transparency in transactions
  • Peace of mind about delivery and quality
  • A way to hold builders accountable

In short, RERA empowers you.


🧠 Final Thoughts

In a market where trust is everything, RERA has become the gold standard for property buyers. It’s not just a law — it’s a shield that protects your investment.

Before you book your next home or invest in a new project, always ask:

“Is this project RERA-registered?”

If the answer is no — think twice. If it’s yes — check the registration and review the details.