How RERA Protects You as a Homebuyer
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 RERA was created to improve transparency, accountability, and buyer protection. In Chennai, the relevant state authority is the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority, or TNRERA. RERA helps buyers check project information, understand carpet area, compare timelines and seek remedies where the Act applies. It does not replace legal or technical checks. Here is what to verify before buying a property in Chennai. What Is RERA? RERA stands for the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. It regulates specified projects, promoters and agents and creates complaint and appeal mechanisms. In Tamil Nadu, TNRERA administers the framework. Buyers can use the official TNRERA website to search registered projects and review records. Not every property requires registration. Statutory exemptions cover certain smaller projects, projects that received a completion certificate before the Act commenced, and specified renovation or redevelopment without new marketing, sale or allotment. However, project age alone is not a reliable test: an ongoing project without a completion certificate when the relevant provisions commenced could require registration. Verify the exact project instead of relying on a verbal claim. Why Was RERA Introduced? Homebuyers historically faced problems such as incomplete disclosure, uncertain delivery dates, misleading promotions, inconsistent descriptions of saleable area, diversion of project collections and difficult dispute resolution. RERA addresses these issues through registration, disclosure and accountability requirements. How Does RERA Protect Homebuyers? 1. Project registration and information transparency A promoter cannot advertise, market, book or sell a covered project in a planning area without registration. The filed information includes promoter details, plans, approvals, location, apartment types, carpet areas, title and encumbrance declarations, and the completion period. Buyers can compare this formal record with the sales material they receive. 2. Carpet-area disclosure RERA defines carpet area as the net usable floor area excluding external walls, service shafts, exclusive balconies or verandahs and exclusive open terraces, while including internal partition walls. Compare like with like; do not compare one property’s carpet area with another’s super built-up area. See Viva Housing’s guide to carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area. 3. Protection of project collections Promoters must deposit 70% of amounts realised from allottees for a project into a separate account in a scheduled bank for that project’s land and construction costs. Withdrawals are linked to completion and prescribed certifications. “Separate account” is more accurate than “escrow.” The rule limits diversion of collections but does not guarantee timely completion. 4. Remedies for qualifying project delays If the promoter fails to complete or give possession according to the agreement for sale, Section 18 provides remedies. A withdrawing allottee may seek return of the amount with prescribed interest and applicable compensation; one who remains may be entitled to prescribed interest for the delay. The result depends on the agreement, facts and applicable order. 5. Accountability for advertisements and representations The Act provides remedies where a person advances money based on an incorrect or false statement in specified advertisements, notices, prospectuses or model properties and suffers loss or damage. Compare sales material with the TNRERA record and agreement, and retain dated copies. 6. Protection during booking A promoter cannot accept more than 10% of the property’s cost as an advance or application fee without first entering into a written and registered agreement for sale. Still check the proposed agreement, total-cost sheet and project record before making any substantial payment. 7. Defect liability after possession Specified structural defects and defects in workmanship, quality, services or promoter obligations under the agreement, when reported within five years from handover, must be rectified without further charge within 30 days. If not, the allottee may seek compensation under the Act. This does not automatically cover every maintenance issue, so document the defect and response. 8. Complaint and dispute mechanism An aggrieved person may complain to the Authority or adjudicating officer, as applicable, for a violation of the Act, rules or regulations. Do not treat 60 days as a guaranteed decision time: the Act provides a 60-day disposal period in relevant contexts and requires reasons when it is exceeded. Follow current TNRERA forms, fees and instructions.Specified structural defects and defects in workmanship, quality, services or promoter obligations under the agreement, when reported within five years from handover, must be rectified without further charge within 30 days. If not, the allottee may seek compensation under the Act. This does not automatically cover every maintenance issue, so document the defect and response. RERA Requirements at a Glance RERA provision What it means for a buyer Project registration Covered projects must register before specified marketing and sales activity Project disclosure Specified plans, approvals, areas and timelines are filed Carpet-area disclosure A standard definition supports clearer comparisons 70% separate account Specified collections are restricted to project land and construction costs Completion period Buyers can compare the declared timeline with their agreement Advertising accountability Remedies may apply to loss caused by false information 10% advance rule An agreement for sale is required before collecting more than 10% Defect provision Specified defects reported within five years must be addressed Complaint framework Aggrieved persons have regulatory routes where applicable How to Check Whether a Property Is RERA Registered in Tamil Nadu Visit the Tamil Nadu RERA portal. Open the relevant registered-project search for a building or layout, as applicable. Search by the available project name, promoter name or registration detail. Match the project name, promoter and location to the offered property. Review the registration period, status, approvals, plans and updates. Compare the record with the brochure, cost sheet, booking form and draft agreement. Registration may be phase-specific. Confirm that the exact building, phase or layout being sold appears in the record. What Should You Check on a TNRERA Project Record? Do not stop at the registration number. Check: registration validity and exact project or phase name promoter’s legal name and project location declared completion or possession information apartment or plot details and carpet area available approvals, plans and project updates displayed extensions, complaints or orders Save a dated









