RERA Complaint Process
The RERA complaint process is the statutory mechanism under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 through which home buyers, allottees, or real estate agents can file grievances against promoters or agents for violations including delayed possession, defective construction, and misrepresentation.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 established state-level Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs) to resolve disputes between buyers and developers, replacing the earlier fragmented recourse through Consumer Forums and Civil Courts. Each state has its own RERA portal and adjudicating mechanism.
The complaint filing process typically follows these steps. A complainant registers on the state RERA portal (for example, maharera.mahaonline.gov.in for Maharashtra, krera.karnataka.gov.in for Karnataka, haryanarera.gov.in for Haryana). The complaint is filed in Form D under the RERA regulations, detailing the RERA registration number of the project, the nature of grievance (delay, defect, misrepresentation), the relief sought (compensation, refund with interest, or specific performance), and supporting documents such as the allotment letter, payment receipts, and agreement for sale.
The RERA adjudicating officer has the power to award interest on delayed possession at the rate specified in the state RERA rules — in Maharashtra, this has historically been the SBI highest marginal cost of lending rate plus 2%, compounded monthly. Developers found in violation can also be penalised up to 5% of the estimated project cost and, in cases of fraud or wilful misrepresentation, imprisonment of up to three years under Section 59 of RERA.
MahaRERA, established in 2017, has been the most active state authority and processed over 1 lakh grievances through a combination of formal adjudication, conciliation, and suo motu orders. RERA portals also maintain a public register of all projects, their completion timelines, and their complaint histories, enabling buyers to conduct pre-purchase due diligence on a developer's track record.
For buyers seeking a refund on cancelled projects or projects that have not progressed, Section 18 of RERA mandates that the developer return the entire amount received with interest at the prescribed rate. Appeal against RERA orders lies with the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (REAT) and thereafter with the High Court.