MahaRERA Guidelines for Homebuyers: What You Must Know

If you're buying an under-construction flat, plot, or commercial unit anywhere in Maharashtra — including Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Raigad or Navi Mumbai — the single most important protection you have is the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, enforced in this state by MahaRERA. Here's what it actually means for you as a buyer.

Which projects must register with MahaRERA?

Promoters are legally required to register a project with MahaRERA before advertising, marketing, booking or selling any unit in it. Registration is mandatory for any project where the land is over 500 square metres, or where the total number of units (across all phases) exceeds eight. If a project isn't registered and it should be, that alone is a red flag — the RERA registration number should appear on all marketing materials, brochures, and sale agreements.

How MahaRERA protects your money

One of RERA's core protections is financial: developers cannot freely use the money collected from buyers. A defined share of the amount received from allottees must be deposited into a separate, project-specific bank account, and can only be withdrawn for construction and land costs on that project — not diverted to fund a different project or unrelated expenses. This is what stops the classic problem of a developer collecting money across multiple projects and leaving one incomplete.

What's changed recently

• QR codes on ads: Real estate advertisements are now required to carry a QR code that links directly to the project's official MahaRERA page, making it much faster to verify a project's registration status, complaint history and approved plans before you enquire.
• Faster compensation: A newer Standard Operating Procedure requires developers to pay any compensation ordered by MahaRERA within 60 days.
• Parking allotment: Developers are now expected to allot parking spaces within the same wing/building as the buyer's flat, rather than an unrelated block.
• Hearing flexibility: Following a Bombay High Court direction, complainants can choose between physical or virtual hearings for grievance redressal.

Your pre-purchase due diligence checklist

1. Look up the project's MahaRERA registration number on the official portal and confirm it's active, not expired or revoked.
2. Check the project's approved layout and commencement certificate against what's actually being marketed to you.
3. Review the carpet area (not just "super built-up area") stated in the agreement — RERA requires sale on carpet area basis.
4. Search for any pending complaints or litigation against the promoter on the MahaRERA portal.
5. Ask for the title clearance report and confirm there's no encumbrance on the land.
6. Confirm the promised possession date is the one written into your registered agreement, not just verbally promised.

What to do if something goes wrong

If a developer delays possession, changes specifications without consent, or fails to honour the agreement, you can file a complaint directly through the MahaRERA online portal. RERA also entitles buyers to interest on delayed possession and, in defined cases, a refund with interest instead of continuing with the project.