Buying a flat in an under-construction project is a big commitment. The simplest protection is to check the project, and the agent you are dealing with, on the MahaRERA website before you pay anything.
What MahaRERA is
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, or RERA, set up regulators in every state. In Maharashtra, this is the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), which started work in 2017.
Most new residential projects must be registered with MahaRERA before they are advertised or sold. The rule applies when the land is more than 500 sq m or the project has more than eight flats. Real estate agents who help sell these projects must also be registered.
Checking a project
- Go to the official MahaRERA website: maharera.maharashtra.gov.in.
- Open the section for registered projects and search by project name, promoter name or registration number. The registration number should be printed on the brochure and advertisements.
- Open the project's details page and check:
- The promoter (builder) name matches the company you are dealing with
- The proposed completion date and whether it has been extended
- The approved plans, number of buildings and flats
- The latest progress updates the promoter has filed
- Any complaints or cases against the project
Checking an agent
You can also search MahaRERA's list of registered agents by name or registration number. A registered agent has agreed to follow MahaRERA's code of conduct and can be held responsible for their dealings.
Omkar Real Estate is a MahaRERA-registered agent. Our registration number is A51700042835, and you are welcome to check it.
Warning signs
- No MahaRERA number on the advertisement or brochure for a new project
- The promoter name on MahaRERA does not match the company asking for payment
- Pressure to pay a large booking amount before you receive a written agreement
- A completion date on MahaRERA that is very different from what you are being told