RERA Act stands for Real Estate Regulatory Authority, overseeing RERA Rules.

With India solidifying its position in the global market, several sectors and companies have experienced significant expansion, leading to a rise in real estate costs.

In order to control the increasing real estate costs and protect the rights of home purchasers, the government implemented the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, which oversees and monitors the real estate industry across all states.

What is RERA Act?

RERA, also known as the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, was established in 2016. The main objective of the RERA Act, 2016, is to safeguard the interests of homebuyers and promote growth in the real estate sector. The RERA law is enforced in every state to oversee the real estate industry. The legislation enables quick and efficient resolution of conflicts.

The RERA Act requires all residential or commercial real estate projects with a land area over 500 square meters to be registered with RERA before they can be launched. Signing up with RERA aids in bringing transparency to the execution of the projects introduced.

RERA Act and Rules

According to Section 84 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, State Governments are expected to establish the regulations for implementing the Act within six months of its start date.

• On October 31, 2016, the government, via the HUPA Ministry, issued the basic guidelines for the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.
• These rules apply to Union Territories such as Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Some Points Under Real Estate Regulation and Development (RERA)

• Security measures under the RERA act stipulate that a minimum of 70% of funds from buyers and investors must be deposited into a dedicated account. Builders are then allocated this portion for construction and land-related expenses exclusively. Prior to signing the sale contract, developers cannot demand more than 10% of the property's value as an advance payment.
• In terms of transparency, builders are obligated to furnish original project plans to buyers and are prohibited from altering these plans without the buyer's consent.
• Fairness standards mandated by RERA dictate that properties must be sold based on carpet area rather than high-density area. In the event of project delays, buyers reserve the right to either reclaim their full investment or opt for continued investment with monthly returns.
• Regarding quality assurance, builders are obliged to address any buyer grievances within 5 years of purchase, resolving them within 30 days of complaint submission.
• Furthermore, regulators are barred from engaging in marketing, selling, constructing, investing in, or booking land plots without proper registration with RERA. All investment advertisements post-registration must include a unique project-wise registration number.

Also Read: How to download RERA registration certificate?

Benefits of RERA

RERA has a number of benefits for the buyer, the promoter, and the real estate agent. These include:

• Standardization of carpet area calculation: Prior to RERA, builders had flexibility in determining project prices, often resulting in inflated carpet areas. However, RERA introduced a uniform formula for calculating carpet area, preventing manipulation to increase prices.
• Reduced builder insolvency risk: Previously, developers could transfer funds between projects, posing a risk to buyers. RERA mandates that 70% of funds raised must be deposited into a single bank account, with withdrawals subject to certification by engineers, chartered accountants, and architects.
• Advance payment limitations: RERA restricts builders from accepting more than 10% of the project cost as advance or application fees, alleviating the pressure on buyers to quickly source funds and make substantial payments.
• Buyer rights in case of defects: Within 5 years of possession, builders are obligated to rectify structural defects or quality issues within 30 days at no cost to the buyer.
• Equal interest payments in case of default: RERA ensures that both parties pay the same amount of interest in case of delays, eliminating the previous imbalance where buyers faced lower interest rates for delayed possession compared to delayed payments.
• Protection against false promises: If builders fail to deliver on promised features, buyers are entitled to full repayment of advance payments, with potential additional interest payments.
• Resolution for title defects: Buyers discovering title defects at possession have the right to claim unlimited compensation from the promoter.
• Right to project information: Buyers are entitled to comprehensive project information, including layout plans, execution details, and completion status.
• Grievance redressal mechanisms: RERA provides avenues for complaints from buyers, promoters, or agents, with the option to escalate to the Appellate Tribunal if unsatisfied with RERA's decision.

Impact of the RERA Act:

Following the enforcement of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, the registration of sale deeds for project units cannot be conducted at the sub-registrar's office without obtaining Occupancy Certificates or Completion Certificates. Currently, registrations are occurring without these certificates, with little concern for the legal repercussions. Despite awareness of the implications of the RERA Act, the Department of Stamps & Registrations has not taken measures to prevent the unlawful registration of such properties. Here are some of the impacts observed:

• Reduction in project launches: Promoters and builders may delay launching new projects as they familiarize themselves with the implications of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. However, honest promoters, builders, and developers stand to benefit from reduced competition.
• Elimination of dishonest builders: Dishonest builders may struggle to sustain themselves in the market after the implementation of the RERA Act.
• Promotion of financial discipline: The addition of 32 sections to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 is expected to foster financial discipline in the sector.
• Formalities for project changes: Developers will be required to adhere to several formalities if they intend to make changes to the project after its commencement. While this may lead to short-term chaos in the real estate industry, it is anticipated to enhance customer confidence in the long run, encouraging increased investments.

 

 

 

 

 

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Carpet Area Defined Under RERA Act

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 has introduced guidelines for developers regarding the sale of apartments based on the carpet area.

• As per the Act, carpet area refers to the total floor area within the walls of the apartment that can be utilized, excluding spaces like open terraces, balconies, and shafts. This standardized definition of carpet area aims to prevent buyers from being misled by unscrupulous promoters.
• Due to high loading factors, developers can increase the saleable area, thereby reducing the rate per square foot on the inflated saleable area. This can be confusing for homebuyers, who may believe they are getting favorable rates without realizing that the flat size remains unchanged, only the loading factor is adjusted.

Adhering to the carpet area standard ensures clarity regarding the usable area and facilitates cost per square foot analysis. It also simplifies comparison among different projects.

Also Read: HIRA and RERA Act under Ministry’s scrutiny for co-existence

How to Ensure that the Property is RERA Compliant?