By Dominick Rodrigues

Mumbai : Four years after its implementation, RERA(Real Estate Regulatory Authority) is achieving what it was envisioned to be – especially in disposing of consumer complaints across different states and UTs – by disposing about 65,539 cases by the respective state authorities as of 24 April 2021, according to data by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Out of this, nearly 40% cases (approx. 26,510 complaints) were resolved in Uttar Pradesh alone, followed by Haryana with 13,269 cases and Maharashtra with 9,265 cases. The three states cumulatively accounted for nearly 75% of the total disposed cases under RERA in the country.

Project and real estate agent registrations under RERA have also been growing steadily. As of 24 April 2021, nearly 63,583 projects and 50,256 real estate agents have been registered under RERA across the country. Back in the corresponding period in 2019, about 40,155 projects and 29,208 real estate agents were registered. This amounts to an increase of 58% and 72% respectively over the last two years.

Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK Property Consultants, said “One of RERAs primary purpose is to address real estate consumers grievances. As such, the fact that RERA authorities of various states and UTs have resolved over 65,539 consumer complaints in the last four years is noteworthy.”

 “Uttar Pradesh has resolved the highest number of cases, which is again notable considering how severely Noida and Greater Noida in UP had been impacted by shady dealings of unscrupulous players,” he added.

Maharashtra remains the frontrunner with 45% share for project registrations – of all projects registered under RERA to date across 34 states/UTs. Gujarat comes next with a 13% share, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka with about 6% share each, and Uttar Pradesh with a 5% share.

RERA’s Progress across India included: So far, 34 States/UTs have notified rules under RERA. The North Eastern State of Nagaland is still under process to notify its rules, while West Bengal enacted its own legislation that was challenged by the MoHUA before the Supreme Court. However, in a major development, the apex court very recently struck down West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, 2017 (WBHIRA) stating that it overlaps with RERA that was enacted a law in the Parliament.

About 30 States/UTs have already set up a Real Estate Regulatory Authority since implementation, and of this at least 5 are interim. Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Meghalaya and Sikkim have also notified their RERA rules but are yet to establish Authorities.

Around 28 States/UTs have set up a Real Estate Appellate Tribunal for disposing of consumer complaints, including 6 as interim. Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim are still underway to establish this.

Regulatory authorities of 27 States/UTs have operationalized their websites under RERA provisions. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur are under process to operationalize their websites.