The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 rebalanced a market long tilted against the buyer. Nearly a decade on, understanding your rights under RERA is the difference between a delayed dream and an enforceable remedy.
RERA established state-level authorities to register projects, hold developers to their commitments, and give buyers a forum for redress. Its protections are meaningful — but only to the buyer who knows how to use them.
What RERA guarantees
- Registration of projects and agents before any marketing or sale.
- Deposit of a large share of project funds in a dedicated account, curbing diversion.
- Accountability for delays, defects, and deviations from the sanctioned plan.
Remedies for delay
Where a developer fails to hand over possession on time, the buyer may withdraw and claim a refund with interest, or continue and claim interest for every month of delay. The choice rests with the buyer, not the developer.
Possession delayed is not possession denied — RERA gives the homebuyer a clear, time-bound remedy rather than an endless wait.
Practical steps
- Verify the project’s RERA registration before booking.
- Preserve every payment receipt and the agreement to sell.
- Act within limitation — approach the authority promptly once a default is clear.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
