MahaRERA Mandates Prominent Display of Project Registration Details in Housing Ads

PUNE: The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has announced a significant directive requiring all developers to clearly and prominently display their project registration details in housing advertisements.

This move comes in response to increasing concerns raised by homebuyers regarding the lack of transparency and incomplete disclosure of project information.

According to a circular issued on April 8, developers must now include the MahaRERA registration number, the official MahaRERA website address, and a project-specific QR code in all promotional content.

Importantly, these details must appear in font sizes equal to or larger than the project’s contact information and must be placed prominently in the top right corner of the advertisement. Additionally, these elements should be in distinctly visible colours to ensure legibility and easy recognition.

This directive applies across all forms of advertising media, including newspapers, brochures, electronic platforms, hoardings, social media, and even messaging applications.

Non-compliance will result in penalties of up to ₹50,000. If developers fail to make the necessary corrections within ten days of being fined, further actions will be taken under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA).

Officials from MahaRERA noted that many advertisements continue to display key information—such as registration numbers, QR codes, and website links—in inconspicuous locations, often using small fonts and faint colours. This practice, they emphasized, directly contradicts MahaRERA’s mission of ensuring transparency and protecting homebuyers’ interests.

“Such lack of visibility defeats the core purpose of the regulation,” a MahaRERA official commented. “The use of tiny fonts, low-contrast colours, and poor placement makes it hard for potential buyers to verify whether a project is actually registered with MahaRERA.”

Homebuyers, too, have expressed their frustration over these practices. Some pointed out that large promotional billboards often hide or minimize essential registration details. “It’s about time that developers make this information bold and easy to spot in their ads,” said one concerned buyer.

Another buyer remarked on the delay in enforcing such measures. “RERA has been in place for seven years, and it’s disappointing that these basic transparency requirements are being stressed only now, after over 40,000 projects have already been registered.”

Activist S. Joshi also weighed in, explaining that under Sections 63 and 65 of the Act, fines for non-compliance may range from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. Persistent violations could invite stricter legal consequences.

This new circular is part of MahaRERA’s broader effort to bring more clarity and trust to the real estate sector. By ensuring vital project details are highly visible and accessible, the authority aims to empower homebuyers to make more informed decisions.

As per Section 11(2) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, any advertisement issued by a developer must include the project’s registration number and the official MahaRERA website.

Similarly, Rule 14(2) of the Maharashtra Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017, mandates that both the real estate agent’s registration number and the project’s registration number be prominently featured in all marketing material.

MahaRERA Stats:

• Total registered projects: 49,779
• Registered agents: 50,108
• Completed projects: 15,647
• Applications received: 50,054
• Applications sent back for more details: 270
• Applications currently under review: 5

Through this new regulation, MahaRERA continues to emphasize its commitment to accountability, transparency, and consumer protection in the real estate ecosystem.