Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you make in life, and it deserves clarity, protection, and accountability. That’s exactly why RERA (Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016) exists: to bring transparency to the real estate sector and to ensure homebuyers are treated fairly through clear disclosures, time-bound commitments, and a formal grievance mechanism.
In fast-growing markets, where new residential and mixed-use developments are constantly emerging, knowing your rights under RERA can help you buy with confidence.
1) Your first right: Verify the project before you commit.
Under RERA, most projects must be registered with the state RERA authority before being marketed or sold. Registration is not just a number; it’s a gateway to verified information. On the RERA portal, you can typically check the project’s status, approvals, timelines, layouts, and promoter details.
For example, in Uttar Pradesh, you can view project information on the UP RERA portal, including specific project detail pages. This kind of public visibility is a core buyer protection.
What you should do: before paying anything significant, search the project on the UP RERA website and cross-check what’s being promised against what’s officially filed.
2) You can’t be charged “just anything”: Carpet area clarity
RERA promotes fair pricing by encouraging standardisation around carpet area (the usable area inside your apartment) rather than confusing terms that inflate size. This protects you from paying for “phantom space” and makes comparisons across projects easier.
What you should do: Ask for a clear breakup: carpet area, balconies, common areas, and the basis of pricing. Make sure what you sign matches what you’re shown.
3) The 10% rule: Protection before signing the Agreement for Sale
A key safeguard under RERA is that a promoter cannot generally take more than 10% of the cost as an advance/application amount without entering into a written Agreement for Sale. This reduces the risk of buyers being stuck after paying large sums with limited documentation.
What you should do: If you’re asked for a large “booking” amount, insist on proper documentation and timelines in writing.
4) Timely possession and refund rights
RERA strengthens your right to timely possession. If a project is delayed beyond committed timelines, you may be entitled to remedies such as refunds, interest, or compensation depending on the case and state rules. In practical terms, this shifts delays from being “your problem” to being a compliance issue.
What you should do: Keep records, payment receipts, allotment letters, emails, brochures, and the RERA page screenshots. Documentation is your leverage.
5) Transparent updates: Your right to information
RERA enables buyers to access project updates and disclosures through the state authority portal, helping reduce surprises about construction progress, approvals, or changes in plans.
What you should do: Make it a habit to review the project’s RERA listing periodically, especially before major payment milestones.
6) Defect liability: Quality isn’t optional.
RERA includes a concept commonly referred to as defect liability, meaning if you discover structural or workmanship issues within a specified period after possession, you can ask the promoter to fix them as per the Act’s provisions.
What you should do: Conduct a detailed possession inspection, document issues with photos/videos, and report promptly in writing.
7) A formal complaint mechanism if things go wrong
If a buyer faces non-compliance, RERA provides a direct route to raise grievances with the state authority.
Key takeaways
RERA turns “trust” into verifiable proof, registration, disclosures, written agreements, and accountability. As a homebuyer, your best move is simple: verify first, sign only after clarity, and keep every record. When you know your rights, you don’t just buy a property; you secure peace of mind.
