RERA Guide

Ans: The Real Estate Act is intended to achieve the following objectives:

ensure accountability towards allottees and protect their interest;
infuse transparency, ensure fair-play and reduce frauds & delays;
introduce professionalism and pan India standardization;
establish symmetry of information between the promoter and allottee;
imposing certain responsibilities on both promoter and allottees;
establish regulatory oversight mechanism to enforce contracts;
establish fast- track dispute resolution mechanism;
promote good governance in the sector which in turn would create investor confidence.

Ans: all the real estate projects for which Building permissions were approved on or after 01-01-2017 by the Competent Authorities viz., UDAs / DTCP / Municipal Corporations / Municipalities / Nagar Panchayats / TSIIC as the case may be comes under the purview of RERA Act & Rules except the projects where:

Area of land proposed to be developed does not exceed five hundred square meters
Number of apartments proposed to be developed does not exceed eight inclusive of all phases
Renovation or repair or re-development which does not involve marketing, advertising selling or new allotment of any apartment, plot or building, as the case may be, under the real estate project

Ans: Yes. The Act covers all private and public bodies which develop real estate projects for sale to the general public. Section 2 (zk) defines the term ‘promoter’ which includes both private and public real estate promoters. Thus, both Development Authorities and the Housing Boards, when involved in sale are covered under the Act.

Ans. Yes. Every real estate project which has land area more than 500 Sq. mts or has more than 8 apartments needs to be registered.

Ans. Yes. Every real estate project which has land area more than 500 sqmts or has more than 8 apartments needs to be registered

Ans: As per section 2(b), which defines ‘advertisement’, any medium adopted in soliciting for sale would be covered under the said definition, including sms and emails. Prospectus, which is intended for sale of apartment in real estate project, will also be covered.

Ans: As per section 2(d) an allottee includes a person who acquires the said ‘apartment / plot’ through transfer or sale but does not include a person to whom such plot, apartment is given on rent. The Act doesn’t include rental projects, lease / leave and License deals.

Ans: Section 18 of the Act provides for provisions as regards various situations in which the Allottee would be compensated by the promoter due to delay in completion of the project etc.

Ans: Yes, before applying for registration to TSRERA the Promoter / Developer should obtain all statutory permissions from the Competent Authorities.

Ans: The promoter is liable to a penalty which may extend up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project. On continued violation, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to three years or with fine which may extend up to a further ten per cent of the estimated cost of the real estate project, or with both.

Ans: The TSRERA website would display all the registered projects. It is mandatory that the advertisement for marketing of apartments in the real estate project must carry the TSRERA registration number.

Ans: Real estate agents have to get registered with TSRERA either as an individual or as “other than individual”. Promoters while applying for registration of any real estate project will have to indicate the names of registered real estate agents who will be working as agents in the said project. Names of such agents will be displayed along with other project specifications on the TSRERA website, upon registration of the project.

Ans: If any real estate agent fails to register and contravenes the provisions of section 9 or section 10 of the Act, he shall be liable to a penalty of Rs.10,000/- for every day during which such default continues, which may cumulatively extend up to 5% of the cost of plot, apartment or buildings, as the case may be, of the real estate project, for which the sale or purchase has been facilitated as determined by TSRERA.

Ans: Yes, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the promoter, while applying for registration to TSRERA, has to give a declaration, supported by an affidavit, indicating the time period within which he undertakes to complete the project or phase thereof, as the case may be.

Ans: TSRERA will take action in accordance with section 8 of the Act.

Ans: Yes. In accordance with the model form of agreement, if the Promoter fails to abide by the time schedule for completing the project and handing over the [Apartment/Plot] to the Allottee, the Promoter agrees to pay to the Allottee, who does not intend to withdraw from the project, interest as specified in the Rule, on all the amounts paid by the Allottee, for every month of delay, till the handing over of the possession.

Ans: The interest payment is in accordance with the model form of agreement and hence should be automatically paid by the promoter. The buyer may file a complaint to TSRERA if promoter fails to do so.

Ans: In accordance with the model form of agreement, the Allottee has to pay, a rate of interest equal to the State Bank of India highest Marginal Cost of Lending Rate plus two percent, on all the amounts which become due and payable by the Allottee to the Promoter under the terms of the Agreement from the date the said amount is payable by the Allottee(s) to the Promoter.

Ans: An aggrieved person may file a complaint with TSRERA for any violation or contravention of the provisions of the Act or the Rules or Regulations made there under.

Ans: Section 29 of the Act provides that complaints should be disposed off as expeditiously as possible but not later than sixty days from the date of filing the same. However, where it cannot be disposed of during the said period, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority is required to record its reasons for the same.

Ans: Promoter shall execute a registered conveyance deed in favour of the Allottee within three months from date of issue of Occupancy Certificate.

Ans: The Act makes both the Promoters and the landlord or any such parties which are beneficiary of a sale of a project and receive payments from Allottees as Co-Promoters and hence liable to adhere to the provisions of the Act and Rules and Regulations made there under.

Ans: TSRERA will launch online application for registration from 1st August 2018. All promoters shall make their applications through online filling the details in the requisite forms, uploading the required documents and paying the necessary fees.

Ans: Yes, while registering project, promoter needs to give revised date of completion which should be commensurate with the amount of development completed and same should be within the validity of building permission given by the Competent Authorities.

Ans: Registration is of the Project/Phase and hence the provisions of the Act are applicable to all units of the Project/Phase.

Ans: Yes

Ans: The Act puts an obligation on the promoter to obtain consent of each Allottee, if he wants to change the building plans for the phase that is registered. If a subsequent phase has not been registered, the promoter can change the plans of the subsequent phases without obtaining consent of the Allottees from current / ongoing phases. However, if the subsequent phases are also registered, consent of Allottees, of the concerned phases, would be needed as mentioned in section 14 of the Act

Ans: Yes

Ans: The Act makes both the Promoters and the land owner or any such parties which are beneficiary of a sale of a project and receive payments from Allottees, as Co- Promoters and hence liable to adhere to the provisions of the Act and Rules and Regulations made there under. The withdrawal of money would be subject to provisions of Section 4 of the Act and the Telangana Real Estate (Regulation and Development Rules, 2017 made there under.

Ans: Yes, since these are part of the project cost

Ans: The Promoter has to ensure that an association of Allottees is formed within two months of 60% of the total number of Purchasers have taken possession and promoter has received full consideration from such Allottees.

Ans: A promoter would be allowed to advertise, market, book, sell or offer to sell or invite persons to purchase plot, apartment or building in a phase of a real estate project, only if the said phase is registered. A promoter cannot advertise, commit or sell amenities or facilities that are in a subsequent phase which is still not registered.

Ans: No, it has to be separately registered if the said adjoining land was not a part of the project which has been registered.

Ans: All ongoing projects for which building permissions were approved on or after 01-01-2017 by the Competent Authorities viz., UDAs / DTCP / Municipal Corporations / Municipalities / Nagar Panchayats / TSIIC as the case may be have to be registered with TSRERA.

Ans: Estimated cost of the project which has been approved by the Competent Authorities needs to be indicated while applying for registration.

Ans: The original certificates have to be retained by the promoter because the same are required to be verified and audited by the statutory auditor of the promoter’s company at the end of every financial year. Copies may also have to be submitted to the concerned bank, if demanded by them

Ans: No. A separate bank account needs to be opened in accordance with the provisions of the Act and rules made there under.

Ans: No. There should be one designated bank account for every registered project or registered phase of a project.

Ans: No. Section 13(1) of the Act prohibits the promoter from taking more than 10% of the cost of apartment without entering into a written agreement for sale, duly registered.

Ans: Yes, if it is against a consideration. Real Estate Agent is clearly defined in section 2(zm) of the Act

Ans: Yes, if it pertains to a registered project under TSRERA.

Ans: Provision of termination of agreement is covered in the Model Form of Agreement attached to Telangana Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017.

Ans: Please refer to section 14 of the Act

Ans: Every Real Estate Agent who intends to facilitate the sale or purchase of or act on behalf of any person to facilitate the sale or purchase of any plot, apartment or building, as the case may be, in a registered real estate project being sold by the promoter in entire Telangana area, shall have to apply for registration to Telangana Real Este Regulatory Authority (TSRERA).

Ans: It will be through an easy online process. The procedure is explained in Rule 8,9 and 10 of Telangana Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules 2017.

Ans: The fees for registration is prescribed in Rule 8(2) of the Telangana Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017 which specifies that ten thousand rupees in case of the applicant being an individual or fifty thousand rupees in case of the applicant other than an individual the validity period is 5 years.

Ans: No. The registration is valid only in Telangana State.

Ans: No

Ans: The agent’s liability is in accordance with Section 10 of the Act. He is not held liable for the promoter’s default.

Ans: No. If the promoter has not included the real estate agent’s name at the time of registration, it will have to be included by the promoter, subsequently, and up dated in the TSRERA website. The real estate agent can operate in the project only thereafter.

Ans: No, these will be guided by the agreements that real estate agents have with the concerned promoters or Allottees.

Ans: The responsibility of the real estate agent will be in accordance with Section 10 of the Act.

Ans: a penalty of Rs.10,000/- for every day during which may cumulative extend up to 5% of the cost of the Plot / Apartment / Building Penalties for which the sale and purchase has been facilitated (Section 62 of the Act)

Ans: Under Section 12 of the Act, it is the obligation of the promoter regarding veracity of advertisement and prospectus. The agent is liable if he makes a false or misleading representation concerning the services that he intends to offer.

Ans: Yes, if they intend to facilitate the sale or purchase of or act on behalf of any person to facilitate the sale or purchase of any plot, apartment or building, as the case may be, in a registered real estate project being sold by the promoter in any planning area.

Ans: No

Ans: No, however no advertisement should be put out for a project unless the concerned promoter has registered the project with TSRERA. The agent should not advertise for services that are not intended to be offered.

Ans: Yes, if the Authority fails to issue any communication about deficiencies, within 30 days of the receipt of the application for registration.

Ans: For working as a real estate agent in Telangana, registration will be given by TSRERA.

Ans: No.