Legal & RERA
What MahaRERA Means for Homebuyers and How to Check a Project's Registration
Quick answer
MahaRERA is Maharashtra's real estate regulator under the RERA Act, 2016. Here is what it protects you from, what developers must disclose, and how to look up any project's registration on the MahaRERA website before you book.
Table of contents (7 sections)
- What RERA changed for homebuyers
- Where to find the registration number
- How to check a project on the MahaRERA website
- What to look for on the project page
- How to raise a complaint
- What RERA does not do
- Frequently asked questions
- Do resale flats need MahaRERA registration?
- Are all projects required to register with MahaRERA?
- What happens if a project's completion date is extended?
MahaRERA is the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority, set up under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. It requires most residential projects to be registered before they are advertised or sold, makes developers publicly disclose approvals and timelines, and gives buyers a formal route to raise complaints. Before you book any flat in Pune, you should look up the project's registration number on the MahaRERA website and read what it shows.
What RERA changed for homebuyers
Before RERA, buyers often had little information and limited recourse if a project was delayed or changed. The Act brought in a set of clear rules that apply across India, with each state running its own authority. In Maharashtra, that authority is MahaRERA.
- Mandatory registration: Projects that meet the Act's criteria must be registered before any advertising, marketing, booking or sale.
- Public disclosure: Developers must upload project details, approvals, layout plans and the proposed completion date, and keep them updated.
- Sale on carpet area: Flats must be sold on the basis of RERA carpet area, which makes comparison fairer.
- Limit on advance payment: A developer cannot take more than 10 percent of the flat cost as an advance before a registered agreement for sale.
- Separate project account: A large share of the money collected from buyers must be kept in a dedicated account and used for that project's land and construction costs.
- Defect liability: Structural defects reported within five years of possession must be fixed by the developer.
- Delay remedies: If possession is delayed, the Act provides for interest or refund, depending on the buyer's choice and the facts of the case.
Where to find the registration number
The MahaRERA registration number must be displayed on project advertisements, hoardings, brochures and websites. Many ads also carry a QR code that links to the project's MahaRERA page. If a salesperson cannot show you the number, treat that as a warning sign. Large projects are sometimes registered in phases or buildings, so make sure the number you check covers the specific tower or wing you are buying in.
How to check a project on the MahaRERA website
The steps below describe the general process. The website's layout is updated from time to time, so the exact menu names may differ slightly.
- Go to the official MahaRERA website (maharera.maharashtra.gov.in).
- Open the section for searching registered projects.
- Search by the registration number, the project name, the promoter's name or the district, such as Pune.
- Open the project's details page and view the registration certificate and uploaded documents.
What to look for on the project page
Once you open the project's page, go through these details carefully rather than stopping at "registered".
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Registration validity and proposed completion date | Tells you the date the developer has committed to. Check whether it has been extended. |
| Promoter details | Confirms who is legally responsible for the project and lets you see their other projects. |
| Approved plans and commencement certificate | Shows that the building has the required permissions. |
| Quarterly progress updates | Gives a sense of how construction and bookings are moving. |
| Litigation and complaints | Flags any legal disputes or buyer complaints against the project. |
| Carpet area of unit types | Lets you compare the carpet area stated in the agreement with what is registered. |
How to raise a complaint
If a registered developer breaks the terms of your agreement or the Act, you can file a complaint with MahaRERA through its online portal. Maharashtra also encourages conciliation for disputes that can be settled without a full hearing. Keep copies of your agreement, payment receipts and all correspondence, because they form the basis of any complaint.
What RERA does not do
RERA registration is an important first check, but it is not a guarantee of quality or a replacement for legal due diligence. You should still get a lawyer to review the title and the agreement for sale, visit the site and speak to existing buyers where possible. At Shreevardhan Developers, we share the MahaRERA registration number for every project upfront so buyers can verify it on their own before they visit.
Frequently asked questions
Do resale flats need MahaRERA registration?
RERA registration applies to projects being sold by the developer. A resale flat in a completed building bought from an individual owner is not registered afresh. In that case, check the occupancy certificate, the society's records and the seller's title documents.
Are all projects required to register with MahaRERA?
Most residential projects must register, but the Act exempts some very small projects based on land area or the number of units. Exemption thresholds are set out in the Act and state rules, so check with MahaRERA or your lawyer if a developer claims an exemption.
What happens if a project's completion date is extended?
Developers can apply to extend registration in certain circumstances, and the revised date will reflect on the MahaRERA page. Your agreement for sale sets out your possession date and the remedies for delay, so read that clause carefully and take legal advice if needed.
