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How to Check RERA Approval Before Buying Property in India

RERA approval is your safety net when buying property. This guide explains how to check a project's RERA registration number on the official state website, what details to verify, and why it's crucial for protecting your investment.

How to Check RERA Approval Before Buying Property in India - RiteAssetz lending guide

Your First Step to a Safe Property Investment

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) was introduced to protect homebuyers from unscrupulous developers. Before you even consider a property in an under-construction or new project, verifying its RERA registration is the first and most important step. Here’s how to do it.

Why is RERA Verification So Important?

A RERA-approved project means:

  • Legality: The developer has obtained all the necessary government approvals for the land and building plans.
  • Transparency: The developer must disclose all project details, including layout plans, completion timelines, and the carpet area of apartments.
  • Accountability: The developer is legally bound to deliver the project on time. Delays can result in heavy penalties.
  • Security: 70% of the money collected from buyers must be kept in a separate escrow account, preventing the developer from diverting funds to other projects.

Buying a property in a non-RERA registered project (if it falls under the Act's purview) is a huge risk.

Step-by-Step Guide to Checking RERA Approval

  1. Ask the Developer for the RERA Registration Number: Any developer marketing a project must prominently display the RERA registration number on all advertisements, brochures, and their website. If they hesitate to provide it, consider it a major red flag.
  2. Visit Your State's Official RERA Website: Each state in India has its own RERA authority and website. For example, Karnataka's is rera.karnataka.gov.in, and Maharashtra's is maharera.mahaonline.gov.in. Do not use any third-party websites.
  3. Find the "Registered Projects" Section: On the website's homepage, look for a link like "Project Search," "Registered Projects," or "Search Projects."
  4. Search for the Project: You can search using the RERA registration number, project name, or developer's name. Searching by the registration number is the most accurate method.
  5. Verify the Project Details: Once you find the project, a detailed page will open. Cross-check the following information with what the developer has told you:
    • Project Name and Address: Ensure they match.
    • Developer's Name and Details: Verify the promoter's information.
    • Proposed Date of Completion: This is the legally binding deadline. Note any extensions granted.
    • Sanctioned Plans: Check the uploaded copies of the approved building plans.
    • Litigation Details: The developer must disclose any legal cases against the project.
    • Quarterly Updates: Check the progress reports that the developer is required to upload every quarter.

What if a Project is Not on the RERA Website?

If a project that should be registered (all projects with more than 8 units or on land over 500 sq. meters) is not on the website, it is likely illegal. Do not invest in it. Some projects, like those that received an Occupancy Certificate before RERA was implemented, are exempt.

RERA is Your Best Friend in Real Estate

RERA has empowered homebuyers with information and protection. A few minutes spent verifying a project on the RERA website can save you from years of financial and mental distress.

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