Real estate act 2016 and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)

The central government has notified REAL ESTATE ACT 2016. Can the act regulate the highly unregulated sector in India? Can  this authority bring about transparency in one of the notorious sectors that is known to flaunt rules as a rule and follow rules as an exception. As of now only 3 states UP, Kerala, and Maharashtra have implemented it.

10 things to know about Real Estate Regulatory Authority

01) Ongoing Projects also to come under RERA
For ongoing projects without Completion Certificate (CC), developers will have to deposit 70% of the amount collected from homebuyers in a separate bank account within 3 months of registering a project with RERA.

02) Equal Penalty
In case of delays, developers will be required to pay compensation to the allottees with an Interest Rate of SBI’s highest Marginal Cost of Lending Rate plus 2%. This effectively means a developer will have to pay interest rates of 11 to 12 % in case of a delay in project delivery.

03) Imprisonment
The rules also contain clauses providing for compounding of punishment with imprisonment for violation of the orders of Real Estate Appellate Tribunal against payment of 10% of project cost in case of developers and 10% of the cost of property purchased in case of allottees and agents.

04) No Discrimination
Discrimination in sale of properties on any grounds will also not be entertained under the new rules. Adjudicating Officers, Real Estate Authorities and Appellate Tribunals shall dispose of complaints within 60 days

05) Transparency
For ongoing projects that have not received Completion Certificate (CC), the developers will have to make public the original sanctioned plans with specifications and changes made later, total amount collected from allottees, money used, original timeline for completion and the time period within which the developer undertakes to complete the project.

06) Sale on Carpet area
The promoter shall also be required to declare the size of the apartment based on carpet area even if it was sold earlier on any other basis.

07) Financial Capacity
For registration of projects with the authorities, developers will be required to submit authenticated copy of PAN Card, annual report comprising audited profit and loss account, balance sheet, cash flow statement and auditors report of the promoter for the immediate three preceding years, authenticated copy of legal title deed, copy of collaboration agreement if the promoter is not the owner of the plot. The promoter will also has to declare information regarding the number of open and closed parking areas in the project.

08) Construction Status
The promoter will also have to upload details regarding number and type of apartments or plots, status of the project with photographs floor-wise, status of construction of internal infrastructure and common areas with photos, status of approvals received and expected date of receipt, within 15 days of expiry of each quarter on the project website.

09) No Income Tax returns required
In a departure from the draft rules, the requirement of disclosing Income Tax returns has been withdrawn in the final rules keeping in view the confidentiality attached with them and as pointed out by legal experts and promoters.

10) Detailed Description on RERA website
In addition to this, the Real Estate Regulatory authorities will also publish information relating to profile and track record of promoters, details of litigations, advertisement and prospectus issued about the project, details of apartments, plots and garages, registered agents and consultants, development plan, financial details of the promoters, status of approvals and projects etc., on the RERA website.