Mumbai Metropolitan Region to get more RERA Certified Estate Agents

With the third batch of real estate agents gearing to appear for the online examination conducted by Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) on November 22, Mumbai region is expected to get a steady flow of MahaRERA-certified agents. There are 5592 candidates who have successfully completed the prerequisite preliminary training thus making them eligible for the online examination to be conducted by MahaRERA at 19 centres across the state.

These agents play a crucial role as intermediaries between home buyers and developers, serving as the primary source of information for potential clients. Recognising this pivotal role, MahaRERA emphasises the importance of agents being well-versed in the key provisions of the RERA Act.

To date, 3217 candidates have successfully passed the examination, which was conducted twice this year. It is noteworthy that approximately 45,000 agents were initially registered in the state, with the current active workforce standing at 32,000. The shortfall arises from 13,000 agents who have not renewed their certification.

“RERA authorities have made it compulsory for real estate agents from January 2023 to pass this exam and this will be the third time in the year RERA is conducting the exam. Agents form the link between buyers and sellers so it will be very much helpful for the buyers if all agents are on the same page with respect to the rules according to RERA Act,” said an official from MahaRERA office at Bandra.

The training programme focuses on ensuring uniformity, consistency and clarity in providing essential information related to regulatory provisions, such as the agreement for sale, allotment letter issued after registration of the house, carpet area and defect liability period, among others. This knowledge is crucial as it forms the basis on which consumers make informed decisions when purchasing a home.

Source: https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-metropolitan-region-to-get-more-rera-certified-estate-agents-23320455

To avail benefits of registration extension, promoters must upload QPR on portal: UP-RERA

Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) has directed promoters to upload latest Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) on the portal to avail benefits of extension of project registration. Uploading QPR periodically on portal is one of the key responsibilities of the promoter that enables the consumers of real estate sector to access progress of the project on regular intervals. Pramod Kumar Upadhyay, secretary, UP-RERA said, “Promoters must ensure their responsibility as per the RERA Act which is important for the consumers. Updating QPR on portal is one of them which are completely connected with project completion. All promoters must focus on this part and assign knowledgeable person for this to ensure its implementation and avoid penalty.”

While reviewing applications of extension of registered projects, the Regulatory Authority noticed that promoters have not uploaded QPR of many quarters. Apart from this, promoters of 732 projects have not filled targets and promoters of 356 projects have not updated targets on the portal. Hence, UP-RERA has imposed penalty of Rs 2 lakh per project on 732 projects and Rs 1 lakh per project on 356 projects. The authority has advised promoters fill details of QPR autiously.

They have to ensure that QPRs of past quarters have been filled before filling latest. In case of due QPR of past quarters, they have to pay delay charges. Then only they will be allowed to fill QPR of current quarter. Further, only after updating all QPRs on the portal, the promoters will be allowed for extension of project registration. The projects having completion certificate (CC) and being uploaded on the portal, need to pay delay charges and update QPR till the time of CC obtained.

Source: https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/rera/to-avail-benefits-of-registration-extension-promoters-must-upload-qpr-on-portal-up-rera/105111296

MahaRERA revives 7,500 stalled Real Estate Projects in Maharashtra

The Housing Minister of Maharashtra, Atul Save, has announced that the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) will be reviewing and reviving 7,500 legacy stalled real estate projects within the next two weeks. This initiative will be carried out in collaboration with financial institutions and developers’ bodies.

Save stated that this action aligns with the recommendations made by a committee led by former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. The committee proposed state intervention or a rehabilitation policy to revive stagnant projects and submitted its report to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in August.

Furthermore, Save emphasised the government’s commitment to expediting the approval process for proposals submitted by new developers working on stalled projects. This effort aims to prevent financial losses for homebuyers and ensure the revival of expired plans. Save also mentioned his intention to personally assess each of these projects in coordination with MahaRERA.

The MahaRERA authority has already compiled a list of projects that have lapsed since 2017. According to Save, approximately 7,500 projects have either lapsed or stalled without making any progress. Consumer bodies have urged all states to present their revival plans, especially considering that it has been four months since the Kant committee report was submitted.

Source: https://www.constructionworld.in/latest-construction-news/real-estate-news/maharera-revives-7500-stalled-real-estate-projects-in-maharashtra/46347

K-RERA warns builders who do not provide Basic Facilities

The Karnataka REAL ESTATE REGULATORY AUTHORITY (K-RERA) has taken the task of the builder for not providing the necessary basic facilities to the apartment and not properly maintaining it and not serving the residents there. For the first time, it has ordered to hand over the entire fund of Rs 62.26 lakh earmarked for the maintenance of ‘K-Rera’ apartments to the Resident Welfare Association (RWA). This order of Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority is a cautionary lesson for other builders.

Because, there are thousands of apartments in Bangalore city and many of them are managed by builders. On the other hand, apartment dwellers are managing themselves by forming associations. Wherever maintenance is done by builders, monthly maintenance fee is collected from the apartment dwellers. However, it is not managed accordingly. So, in most of the apartments, there are frequent arguments and fights between the builder and the residents.

Shree Senior Homes has developed a ‘Sharadindu State-3’ housing project near Ranganakoppalu village near Pandavapura in Mandya district. Most of the senior citizens lived there. Since 2016, the builder was collecting management fee and managing it himself. However, after the formation of the Apartment Residents Welfare Association (RWA) in 2022, they stopped managing it. Before that they used to collect maintenance fee of Rs 4.50 per square feet. Due to this, a lot of money was accumulated in the revolving fund.

However, the builder is not maintaining it properly and many amenities including push button, intercom, swimming pool, hobby room have not been provided. In addition, Senior Commune Owners’ Association ‘K-Rera’ complained that the money in the fund was not being transferred to the association.

Hearing the complaint, the bench headed by the chairman of the authority, Dr HC Kishorechandra, ordered that the builder should complete the housing project within 60 days as agreed and provide all the amenities and collect and transfer the funds kept in the fund to the association.

Also, it is said that the entire housing project is still in progress. Although the project was approved in 2012, it has not yet been completed. The developer has not yet handed over the undivided share of the common area to RWA. Also, many infrastructures are yet to be created. So, it directed the builder Shree Senior Homes to complete the project immediately.

Besides, ‘K-Rera’ has also taken up the association of unregistered residents. In case the housing project is delayed, stopped or cancelled, the RWA can approach RERA to take over the project itself. The order explained that only RWAs registered under cooperative societies have such authority and can undertake housing projects.

Source: https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/bengaluru/k-rera-warns-builders-who-do-not-provide-basic-facilities-832845

1,702 Real-estate Projects Lapse in Maharashtra in 2023

In 2023, 1,702 real-estate projects registered with the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) have lapsed, owing to delays, according to data provided by the authority.

With this, more than 7,700 projects have lapsed since the inception of MahaRERA in May 2017.

This means real-estate developers cannot advertise, market or sell apartments in these 7,700 projects.

What is a lapsed project?

Every real-estate project, which is registered with MahaRERA, is given three to four years or more for completion. After this, a registration number is issued for the project.

The registration number is to be published by the developer in every advertisement or promotion activity. However, a project is termed as lapsed when the timeline given for completion is not met, and the developer has not applied for an extension despite the project being incomplete.

Once the registration of the project is declared lapsed, the developer cannot advertise, market, book, sell or offer to sell, or invite people to invest in these projects. Such projects cannot be registered by the Registrar of the revenue department, according to the provisions of the RERA Act, 2016.

Year-wise data

According to MahaRERA, in 2017, a total of 66 projects had lapsed, 342 in 2018, 783 in 2019, 624 in 2020, 1,341 in 2021, 2,845 in 2022, and 1,702 in 2023. This takes the total number of lapsed projects to 7,703.

What is MahaRERA doing?

The MahaRERA had, in June 2022, launched a special vertical for lapsed projects that are stuck owing to several reasons.

Over the past 16 months, the lapsed project vertical of MahaRERA has issued several notices to developers to come forward and ensure the stuck projects get on track.

“We have issued notices, divided projects into several buckets, issued non-compliance notices over non-uploading of quarterly progress reports (QPRs) and so on. Action is happening as we speak. We are also in the process of issuing notices to developers who do not upload QPRs on the MahaRERA’s website,” said a senior MahaRERA official.

The MahaRERA had, in February 2023, announced dividing projects into four groups, according to their current status. The first group includes projects that can be completed without compromising the rights of home buyers.

The second contains those where there is a need to reconcile developers and home buyers. In the third group are projects that require the MahaRERA’s intervention due to certain issues with local authorities or lending banks. And in the fourth category are projects in which the developer is missing and home buyers can complete the project by replacing the developer.

Grading of developers

MahaRERA had announced, on September 4, that it will start grading real-estate projects in the state from April 2024. This, MahaRERA maintained, will help homebuyers make informed decisions.

The grading matrix will be updated every six months of the financial year. The first quarter that will be considered for grading of projects will be October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

The MahaRERA has set several parameters based on which grades will be given. One is based on the information uploaded by the developer on the MahaRERA website, followed by other parameters like technical details about the project, financial declaration about the project, bookings made, legal complications, complaints filed against the developer in a particular project and the overall project overview compliance etc.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/real-estate/1702-real-estate-projects-lapse-in-maharashtra-in-2023-11563171.html

MahaRERA proposes Bi-yearly Declaration on Construction Quality

In order to increase the accountability of real estate developers towards the quality of real estate projects, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has proposed that developers make six monthly declarations on the quality of projects undertaken by them. For this, MahaRERA has sought suggestions from developers; these can be sent in by October 31.

MahaRERA is considering regulations on monitoring the quality of construction. For this, it is in the process of drafting a discussion paper that is expected to be made public in the coming days.

“MahaRERA is of the opinion that the quality of construction of projects can be controlled if regulations and procedures for effective implementation are laid down,” said a statement by MahaRERA on September 16.

“Most people invest their lifetime earnings in buying a home. After taking possession of the house, it is the developer’s responsibility to resolve these complaints free of cost for up to five years as per the defect liability period. However, in such a case, MahaRERA has decided to insist on quality construction in advance to ensure that homebuyers do not face problems after taking possession of the house,” said Ajoy Mehta, Chairman of MahaRERA, said.

He added, “Therefore, certain procedures and standards to be followed during construction are being decided. This will not only help in securing the interests of the customers but will also help in increasing the credibility of the real estate sector.”

Current provision under RERA Act for quality

Section 14(3) of the RERA Act stipulates that “In case any structural defect or any other defect in workmanship, quality, or provision of services or any other obligations of the promoter as per the agreement for sale relating to such development is brought to the notice of the promoter within a period of five years by the allottee from the date of handing over possession, it shall be the duty of the promoter to rectify such defects without further charge, within 30 days, and in the event of the promoter’s failure to rectify such defects within such time, the aggrieved allottees shall be entitled to receive appropriate compensation in the manner as provided under this Act.”

“While the Act does provide remedial measures for defect rectification, it is essential to recognise that the best approach to safeguarding the interests of homebuyers is not limited to offering remedies after defects have surfaced. Instead, the focus should be on establishing processes and standards that minimise the likelihood of defects occurring in the first place, said MahaRERA in a letter to the developers’ association.

It added, “MahaRERA proposes a proactive approach centred on quality assurance as its primary objective. This approach supports preventing defects from arising initially, thereby obviating the need for costly rework. By ensuring rigorous standards of material quality and workmanship throughout the construction process, real estate projects can be executed with a defect-free outcome that adheres to strict quality standards.”

“In light of this, MahaRERA is desirous of developing a framework for quality assurance reporting. It is proposed that developers should report on the quality of materials used, workmanship, etc. on a bi-yearly basis, which shall be displayed to homebuyers for informed decision-making. In this regard, we kindly request your valuable input for the development of a Framework for Quality Assurance for Real Estate Projects in Maharashtra. Please submit your input to suggestions.maharera@gmail.com by the deadline of 31 October 2023, MahaRERA’s letter to the developers added.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/real-estate/maharera-proposes-bi-yearly-declaration-on-construction-quality-seeks-suggestions-from-developers-11531381.html

MahaRera fines Developers for Missing QR Codes

MahaRera has levied a cumulative fine of Rs 0.2 million on six developers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for failing to include QR codes of project registration in their advertisements. Out of a total of 107 cases, show-cause notices were issued to 74 developers who did not print or display QR codes in their ads.
MahaRera has heard 25 of these cases related to MMR projects and imposed fines in six instances. For promoters who claimed their ads were issued without their knowledge, MahaRera has advised them to file cases with the cybercrime cell. The regulatory body is still in the process of hearing and determining penalties for the remaining cases and plans to send show-cause notices to the remaining 33 developers. MahaRera had mandated the inclusion of QR codes in all housing project advertisements from August 1.

MahaRera has been monitoring advertisements in newspapers and on online and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They observed that a significant number of advertisements on online and social media platforms lack QR codes. Some promoters have claimed that the advertisements were not authorised by them or were issued without their knowledge, prompting MahaRera to direct them to involve the cyber crime cell. Advocate Avinash Pawar commended the move to penalise developers for non-compliance with QR code display rules but urged MahaRera to ensure the enforcement of earlier orders and fill vacancies within the regulatory body.
MahaRera has also urged homebuyers to exercise caution when viewing advertisements on social media to avoid potential scams. In addition to QR codes, homebuyers can verify project details by entering the registration number on the MahaRera website, where comprehensive project information is available.

Earlier this year, MahaRera imposed a collective fine of Rs 1.8 million on 90 developers for advertising projects without MahaRera registration numbers.

MahaRera has levied a cumulative fine of Rs 0.2 million on six developers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for failing to include QR codes of project registration in their advertisements. Out of a total of 107 cases, show-cause notices were issued to 74 developers who did not print or display QR codes in their ads.
MahaRera has heard 25 of these cases related to MMR projects and imposed fines in six instances. For promoters who claimed their ads were issued without their knowledge, MahaRera has advised them to file cases with the cybercrime cell. The regulatory body is still in the process of hearing and determining penalties for the remaining cases and plans to send show-cause notices to the remaining 33 developers.
MahaRera had mandated the inclusion of QR codes in all housing project advertisements from August 1. MahaRera has been monitoring advertisements in newspapers and on online and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They observed that a significant number of advertisements on online and social media
platforms lack QR codes. Some promoters have claimed that the advertisements were not authorised by them or were issued without their knowledge, prompting MahaRera to direct them to involve the cyber crime cell. Advocate Avinash Pawar commended the move to penalise developers for non-compliance with QR code display rules but
urged MahaRera to ensure the enforcement of earlier orders and fill vacancies within the regulatory body. MahaRera has also urged homebuyers to exercise caution when viewing advertisements on social media to avoid potential scams. In addition to QR codes, homebuyers can verify project details by entering the registration number on the MahaRera website, where comprehensive project information is available. Earlier this year, MahaRera imposed a collective fine of Rs 1.8 million on 90 developers for advertising projects without MahaRera registration numbers.

Source: https://www.constructionworld.in/latest-construction-news/real-estate-news/maharera-fines-developers-for-missing-qr-codes/45105

UP RERA warns Buyers, Investors against misleading, Fraudulent Ads

NOIDA: The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) on Tuesday termed the advertisements of Sarvottam World as “misleading and fraudulent” and warned buyers and investors against its upcoming project.

The UP RERA noted that a real estate project named ‘Megapolis/Sarvottam Megapolis’ in a hi-tech township named ‘NEWOIDA’ is being advertised by a promoter ‘Sarvottam World’ and being broadcast and publicized on all platforms of media – newspapers, radio, digital, etc, according to an official statement.
“In this regard, we have to inform and warn stakeholders of the real estate sector that the said advertisement is completely misleading and fraudulent. As per the description presented in the advertisement, there is no such project registered with RERA,” UP RERA Secretary Pramod Kumar Upadhyay said.

The mentioned registration numbers in the advertisements – UPRERAPRJ10825, UPRERAPRJ10851 and UPRERAPRJ11033 belong to another promoter i.e Uttam Steel and Associate (Consortium) and Ansal Hi-Tech Township, he said.

“This type of advertisement by the promoter is a violation of the provisions of the RERA Act. This type of advertisement creates waves of a negative image about the promoter towards the stakeholders of the sector. This may likely cause injustice to the buyers,” Upadhyay said.
“This act of the promoter is punishable under RERA Act 2016 and appropriate action is being ensured so that the interests of all the stakeholders associated with the entire real estate sector can be protected and the promoters must ensure to abide by the RERA Act,” he added.

The UP RERA said it is committed to the regulation and development of the real estate sector in the state. It also appealed to potential and future buyers and investors in the
real estate sector that before purchasing or investing in any project, ensure to obtain all the information related to the project through the registration number given in the advertisement that is available on the RERA portal, www(dot)up-rera(dot)in, and then only take a decision.

Source: https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/rera/up-rera-warns-buyers-investors-against-misleading-fraudulent-ads/103975646

UP Real Estate Regulator Issues Notices on Noncompliance of RERA Act

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA) has issued notices to promoters of four projects in Gautam Buddha Nagar for violation of Section 11 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

According to the authority, the projects that have been issued the notices include M3M The Cullinan being developed by Lavish Buildmart; Irish Pearls being developed by Irish Infrastructure; Saya Piazza being developed by RGB Infra, and Saya Status being developed by Saya Cementation.

Section 11 of the Act states that it is mandatory to display both the RERA registration number and the respective regulator’s website address prominently when advertising RERA-registered projects on any medium.

“The print advertisement released by M3M The Cullinan did not mention the UPRERA website, www.up-rera.in and RERA registration number prominently. Apart from this, the advertisements on social media of Irish Pearls, Saya Piazza and Saya Status did not mention both the RERA registration number and the website,” UPRERA said in a statement.

Pramod Kumar Upadhyay, the UPRERA secretary, said, “We are continuously identifying promoters violating the rules regarding publicity of projects. Compliance with the prescribed norms of the RERA Act is mandatory for the promotion of projects. Noncompliance with Section 11 can result in a penalty of up to 5 percent of the total project cost.”

He added that the act is aimed to ensure growth and development of the real estate sector and this is possible only if the promoters perform their prescribed functions and duties. The primary responsibility of the promoter is to provide correct information about the project to prospective buyers, the correct registration number and complete project information on the UPRERA website portal, www.up-rera.in.

There was no immediate response to the developments from the promoters. This report will be updated after receiving a response.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/real-estate/up-real-estate-regulator-issues-notices-on-noncompliance-of-rera-act-11412641.html

5 things homebuyers in Maharashtra must look for in their real estate agent

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) became the first real estate regulatory authority in the country to mandate an online examination for over 44,000 registered real estate agents in the state to obtain a MahaRERA Real Estate Agent Certificate of Competency before September 1, 2023.

However, less than 10 percent or around 3,400 of the real estate agents in Maharashtra have given this examination so far and cleared. Owing to this, the MahaRERA is working towards extending the deadline.

The competency exam clearance by MahaRERA means that the particular real estate agent is certified real estate agent where they are asked several questions in the written examination about consumer rights, RERA Act, and other knowledge of the real estate sector.

Meanwhile, homebuyers looking to invest in real estate in the festive season that will begin with Ganesh Chaturthi, should keep in mind the following things while choosing a real estate agent.

1) Check MahaRERA registration

The MahaRERA has made it mandatory for all real estate agents to register with the regulatory authority since May 2017. The MahaRERA has also mandated that real estate agents must display their RERA registration number and QR code on all promotional activities being carried out by them.

2) Check if the agent has appeared for competency examination:

The MahaRERA had in January 2023, mandated that all registered real estate agents should appear for a competency examination by September 01, 2023. As mentioned earlier, only around 10 percent of the agents have appeared for and cleared the same.

Hence, homebuyers should check if the real estate agent they are dealing with has cleared the competency examination or not.

The MahaRERA will issue a certificate to every real estate agent that clears the exam, and homebuyers can ask the agents to furnish this certificate.

3) Check if agent has progress reports on projects

The MahaRERA in February 2023, directed real estate agents to make half-yearly progress reports public from financial years 2023-24. In the progress report, MahaRERA had mandated that real estate agents will have to furnish information on developer projects they are representing, and other details, including transactions made in a particular real estate project, excluding the individual financial gains.

The real estate agents were asked to upload all these details on their respective web pages. Hence, homebuyers should check if the real estate agents they are dealing with are complying with the above regulations of MahaRERA.

4) Check if the developer has uploaded details of the registered real estate agent

Homebuyers should keep in mind that all real estate develoopers are mandated to deal only with real estate agents that are registered and compliant with MahaRERA regulations.

The developers are also expected to upload details of real estate agents they intend to deal with in particular projects on the MahaRERA web-page. Hence, homebuyers can find the names and details of real estate agents that are MahaRERA compliant, on these web-pages.

5) Cross verify details

Homebuyers should cross verify all the details given by real estate agents about a particular project with the MahaRERA web-page and the developers before investing in a particular project. Several details such as the carpet area, project completion date, amenities, litigation if any, permission status should be available on the MahaRERA portal along with details of the developer.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/real-estate/5-things-homebuyers-in-maharashtra-must-look-for-in-their-real-estate-agent-11356661.html