Display QR code in advertisements or face up to a punishment of Rs 50,000, Maharashtra builders advised.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has warned developers throughout the state that failing to prominently display the QR code of the real estate project in advertisements on multiple platforms starting on August 1 could result in fines of between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000.

According to a MahaRERA official, the promoter will face appropriate action even after payment of the fine if he doesn’t correct and cure the breach within 10 days.

“The purpose of including the QR code in all marketing is to make sure that potential homebuyers can easily access information about the project. To obtain project details, they do not need to visit the MahaRERA website and input their registration number, according to the MahaRERA representative.

The prospective homebuyer only needs to use his or her phone to scan the QR code to access all the information about the project, including the start and end dates, approvals received, the number of flats and units reserved, modifications to the approved plan, project extensions, and any complaints or warrants issued against the project.

From August 1, developers must now show the QR codes on project advertisements in all media, in addition to the registration number and MahaRERA website address that are previously required.

In March, MahaRERA began providing QR codes for newly registered projects. Later, it began distributing QR codes for older projects as well. The forms that developers pick for adverts vary.

It may include standees at various locations, project sites, and project sales offices, as well as print materials like posters, brochures, catalogs, and pamphlets.

Additionally, they run advertisements on websites and social media networks including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Except in circumstances of enormous hoardings, where it may not be possible for a home buyer to scan a QR code, the QR codes must be shown on all of these platforms, the official continued.

197 developers in the state received warnings from the regulatory agency earlier this year for publishing project advertisements without providing the registration numbers. Following hearings, 90 of them were fined between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, for a total of Rs 18.3 lakh. Nearly Rs 11.9 lakh of the 18.3 lahks had been recovered.