RERA Approved Projects — How to Verify & What It Means

What does "RERA approved" mean?

When a property is described as "RERA approved" (or more accurately, "RERA registered"), it means the project has been officially registered with the state Real Estate Regulatory Authority under Section 3 of the RERA Act, 2016.

RERA registration confirms that:

• The builder has obtained valid building plan approvals from local authorities
• The project has a clear title — no disputed ownership or encumbrances
• The builder has disclosed all project details (plans, timelines, specifications) to the authority
• 70% of buyer funds will be deposited in a dedicated escrow account (not diverted)
• The builder is legally committed to deliver possession by the date disclosed
• You have statutory protections — compensation for delay, right to refund, quality guarantee

What is a RERA certificate?

A RERA certificate (or RERA registration certificate) is the official document issued by the state Real Estate Regulatory Authority upon successful registration of a project. It contains:

• RERA registration number — a unique alphanumeric identifier (e.g., P51700012345 for MahaRERA)
• Project name and address — as registered with the authority
• Promoter/builder details — legal entity name, registration number
• Project type — residential, commercial, or mixed-use
• Number of units — total apartments/plots in the project
• Committed completion date — the date by which possession must be delivered
• Registration validity — expiry date of the RERA registration

The builder is legally required to display the RERA registration number in all advertisements, brochures, pamphlets, and online listings. If you see a property being marketed without a RERA number, it's a red flag.

RERA registration vs RERA approval — what's the difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but there's an important distinction:

A project needs both — building plan approval from the local authority and RERA registration from the state RERA authority. RERA registration requires the builder to submit proof of building plan approval as part of the registration process.

How to verify if a project is RERA approved

Verifying a project's RERA registration takes under 2 minutes:

1. Get the RERA number — ask the builder or check the advertisement. It must be displayed.
2. Visit the state RERA portal — use our state-wise RERA directory to find the correct portal.
3. Search for the project — enter the RERA number, project name, or builder name.
4. Verify the status — it should show "Active" or "Registered." Check the completion date and compare with your Agreement.

For a detailed step-by-step guide with direct links to every state's project search page, visit our Check RERA Registration page.

Why you should ONLY buy RERA-registered properties

Buying a RERA-registered property is not just advisable — it's essential. Here's what you lose without RERA registration:

• No delay compensation — if the builder delays possession, you cannot claim Section 18 interest
• No escrow protection — the builder can divert your money to other projects
• No RERA complaint mechanism — you cannot use the fast-track RERA adjudication process
• No refund guarantee — if the project stalls, you have no statutory right to a refund with interest
• Loan difficulties — many banks refuse to sanction home loans for unregistered projects
• No quality guarantee — the 5-year structural defect liability under Section 14(3) doesn't apply
• Resale complications — unregistered properties may be harder to sell in the future

What if the builder claims "RERA approved" but the project isn't registered?

This is a serious offence. Under Section 3 of the RERA Act, selling or advertising an unregistered project attracts:

• Penalty of up to 10% of the estimated project cost (Section 59)
• Daily penalty cumulatively up to 5% of estimated project cost for non-compliance with Authority orders (Section 63); imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to 10% for defying Appellate Tribunal orders (Section 64)
• The buyer can report the builder to the state RERA authority
• Alternative remedies available under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019

If you've already made payments to an unregistered project, consult a RERA advocate immediately. You can file a complaint with the RERA authority for the builder's failure to register the project, alongside other civil and consumer law remedies available.

RERA certificate and home loans — what banks check

Most banks and housing finance companies now require RERA registration before sanctioning a home loan. Here's what lenders verify:

• Valid RERA registration — the registration number and its "Active" status
• Registration expiry date — to ensure the project hasn't lapsed
• Builder's compliance record — whether quarterly updates are filed
• Possession timeline — to match the loan tenure with expected possession

Buying an unregistered property not only exposes you to serious legal risks but may also make it impossible to get a home loan from major banks — effectively forcing you to make the entire payment from your own funds.

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