Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 explained

Short Title:Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016
Enacted By:Parliament of India
Passed By:Lok Sabha
Date Enacted:25 March 2016
Date Passed:15 March 2016
Passed By2:Rajya Sabha
Date Passed2:10 March 2016
Citation:No. 16 of 2016
Date Assented:25 March 2016
Date Commenced:1 May 2016 - 61 of 92 sections notified
1 May 2017 - Remaining 31 Sections notified
Long Title:An Act to establish the Real Estate Regulatory Authority for regulation and promotion of the real estate sector and to ensure sale of plot, apartment of building, as the case may be, or sale of real estate project, in an efficient and transparent manner and to protect the interest of consumers in the real estate sector and to establish an adjudicating mechanism for speedy dispute redressal and also to establish the Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals from the decisions, directions or orders of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the adjudicating officer and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Bill:Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2016
Bill Citation:XLVI-C of 2013
Bill Date:14 August 2013
Introduced By:Dr. Girija Vyas, Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
Committee Report:Standing Committee Report
Select Committee Report
Status:in force

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 is an Act of the Parliament of India which seeks to protect home-buyers as well as help boost investments in the real estate industry. The Act establishes a Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in each state for regulation of the real estate sector and also acts as an adjudicating body for speedy dispute resolution. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 10 March 2016 and by the Lok Sabha on 15 March 2016. The Act came into force on 1 May 2016 with 61 of 92 sections notified. The remaining provisions came into force on 1 May 2017. The Central and state governments are liable to notify the Rules under the Act within a statutory period of six months.[1]

History

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) Bill was introduced in 2013. In December 2015, the Union Cabinet of India had approved 20 major amendments to the bill based on the recommendations of a Rajya Sabha committee that examined the bill. The Bill had been referred to a selection committee, which had given its report in July 2015. However, Congress, Left and AIADMK had expressed their reservations on the report through dissent notes. The Rajya Sabha approved the bill on 10th March 2016 and the Lok Sabha approved it on 15th March 2016.[2]

Subsequently, by the powers vested by Section 1 of the Rera Act, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation vide Notification S.O. 1544(E)[3] dated 26.04.2016 notified 61 Sections out of 92 Sections on 1st May of 2016 and vide Notification S.O. 1216(E)[4] dated 19.04.2017 notified the remaining 31 Sections.

Structure

The RERA Act 2016 has been divided into 10 Chapters, which is further categorised into 92 Sections.[5]

The Act starts with the Preamble, provides title, extent and commencement, registration of real estate projects and real estate agents, functions and duties of promoter, rights and duties of allottees, about Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Central Advisory Council, Real Estate Appellate Tribunal, various offences, penalties, and adjudication, about finances, accounts, audits, and reports and other miscellaneous provisions.

Below is the outline of the Rera Act 2016 in tabular form-

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016!Chapter No.!Title of the Chapter!Sections Covered
IPreliminary1 and 2
IIRegistration of Real Estate Project and Real Estate Agents3 to 10
IIIFunction and Duties of Promoter11 to 18
IVRights and Duties of Allottees19
VThe Real Estate Regulatory Authority20 to 40
VICentral Advisory Council41 and 42
VIIThe Real Estate Appellate Tribunal43 to 58
VIIIOffences, Penalties and Adjudication59 to 72
IXFinance, Accounts, Audit and Reports73 to 78
XMiscellaneous79 to 92

Principal Provisions

Definition Clause

The definition clause under Section 2 of the Act enlists the meaning of multiple terms used throughout the Act.[6] Below is a table enlisting crucial definitions-

Important Terms under Section 2!Sub-Section!Title
(b)Advertisement
(d)Allottee
(e)Apartment
(k)Carpet Area
(n)Common Areas
(za)Interest
(zh)Planning Area
(zk)Promoter
(zl)Prospectus
(zn)Real Estate Project
(zq)Sanctioned Plan
(zr)Saving Clause

Registration of Real Estate Project and Real Estate Agents

The Act enlists the registration policy of a real estate project and real estate agent and related provision under Section 3.

Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Act makes it mandatory for all real estate projects to register with RERA[7] for launching a project to provide greater transparency in project marketing and execution.[8] For ongoing projects which have not received a completion certificate on the date of commencement of the Act, will have to seek registrations within 3 months.

Each State RERA must either approve or reject the application for registration within 30 days from the date of application submitted by the promoter. Upon successful registration, the promoter of the real estate project will be provided with a registration number, a login ID, and a password to fill up the essential details on the website of the State RERA.[9]

If the promoter fails to register, he shall be liable to a penalty that may extend up to a penalty of 10% of the estimated project cost. Furthermore, if he does not comply with the orders, directions or decisions issued by the State Rera, he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend up to three years or with a fine which may extend up to a further 10% of the estimated cost of the project.[10] [11]

Real estate agents who facilitate the selling or purchase of properties must take prior registration. Such agents will be issued a single registration number for each State or Union Territory, which must be quoted by the agent in every sale facilitated by him.[12] If a real estate agent fails to register or contravenes section 9 (registration of real estate agent) and section 10 (Functions and duties of a real estate agent), he shall be liable to a penalty of ₹10,000 payable every day during which such default continues. This penalty may cumulatively extend up to 5% of the cost of the plot, apartment or building, as the case may be, of the real estate project.

Establishment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority and Appellate Tribunal

The establishment under Section 20 and 43 of the Act will help to establish state-level Real Estate Regulatory Authorities to regulate transactions related to both residential and commercial projects and ensure their timely completion and handover. Appellate Tribunals will now be required to adjudicate cases in 60 days as against the earlier provision of 90 days and Regulatory Authorities to dispose of complaints in 60 days while no time-frame was indicated in the earlier Bill.

Offences, Penalties and Adjudication

Sections 59 to 72 of Chapter VIII of the Act provides the provisions regarding Offences, Penalties, and Adjudication.

Punishment for Non-Registration

Section 59, 60 and 62 of the Act provides the punishment to the promoters and the real estate agents for non-registration under Rera.

Below is a table describing the penalty and imprisonment-

!Section!Sub-Section!Punishment receiver!Conditions for Punishment!Penalty!Imprisonment!Punishment Clubbing
59(1)PromoterIf promoter contravenes Section 3[13] The amount may extend up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.NILOnly fine
(2)If promoter not follows the order, decisions or directions issued under sub-section (1)Amount as stated under sub-section (1) + amount which may further extend up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.The term of imprisonment may extend up to 3 years.Either fine or imprisonment or both.
60NAPromoterIf Promoter provides false information under section 4.[14] The amount may extend up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.NAOnly fine
62NAReal Estate AgentIf any real estate agent fails to comply with Section 9 and 10 of the Act.Amount of ₹ 10000 every day during which such default continues. It may extend up to 5% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.NAOnly fine

Punishment for non-compliance of orders, decisions or directions

!Section!Punishment Receiver!Non-Compliance of Order given by!Penalty!Imprisonment!Punishment Clubbing
63PromoterReal Estate Regulatory AuthorityPenalty for every day during which such default continues and may extend up to 5% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.[15] NAOnly fine
64PromoterReal Estate Appellate TribunalPenalty for every day during which such default continues and may extend up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.Term of imprisonment may extend up to 3 yearsEither fine or imprisonment or both
65Real Estate AgentReal Estate Regulatory AuthorityPenalty for every day during which such default continues and may extend up to 5% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.NAOnly fine
66Real Estate AgentReal Estate Appellate TribunalPenalty for every day during which such default continues and may extend up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.Term of imprisonment may extend up to 1 yearEither fine or imprisonment or both
67AllotteeReal Estate Regulatory AuthorityPenalty for every day during which such default continues and may extend up to 5% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.NAOnly fine
68AllotteeReal Estate Appellate TribunalPenalty for every day during which such default continues and may extend up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project.Term of imprisonment may extend up to 1 yearEither fine or imprisonment or both

Protection of Homebuyers

The Act prohibits unaccounted money from being pumped into the sector, and as of now 70% of the money has to be deposited in bank accounts through cheques compulsorily. A major benefit for consumers included in the Act is that builders will have to quote prices based on carpet area and not on super built-up area. The Act states that the carpet area include usable spaces like kitchen and toilets. Under Rera, its mandatory for the builders to disclose the carpet area.

State Regulations under Rera

Section 84 of the Act[16] provides that within six months of the Act being enforced, each State Government shall make rules for carrying out the provisions of the Act. The said Rules are to be notified by the State Government. As late as 31 October 2016, Central Government, released the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) (General) Rules,[17] 2016, vide Notification by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA).[18] The Rules so issued by the Central Government are applicable to the five Union Territories without Legislature viz., Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Chandigarh. The Rules have been issued after the prior release of Draft for comments.[19]

As of 13 July 2019, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Nagaland have not notified the Rules. In the case of five north-eastern states, the RERA Act is facing certain constitutional challenges as the land in those states are community owned. West Bengal notified a similar law called the West Bengal Housing Industry Regulatory Act, 2017, which came into effect from 1 June 2018.[20] However, as of July 2019, many states have not implemented the law and failed to notify a Permanent Regulator, Appellate Authority or a website. A chart showing the implementation status by different states as of July 2019 can be seen here.

Rera Act 2016 - Implementation Report (As of 13.07.2019)
S.No.State/UT General RulesDate of notification Rules Rera Website Link
1Notified31 October 2016 https://credai.org/assets/upload/rera/resources/the-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-real-estate-regulation-and-development-general-rules-2016.pdfhttp://www.tnrera.in/
2Andhra PradeshNotified28 March 2017 http://dtcp.ap.gov.in/webdtcp/pdf/AP%20RERA%20Rules-2017.PDF https://www.rera.ap.gov.in
3Arunachal PradeshNot NotifiedNANANA
4Notified6 May 2017 http://gmda.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/swf_utility_folder/departments/gmda_webcomindia_org_oid_4/menu/document/Assam%20Real%20Estate%20%28Regulation%20and%20Development%29%20Rules%2C2017.pdf
5BiharNotified1 May 2017 http://udhd.bihar.gov.in/rera/Data/AR-01-28-04-2017.pdf https://rera.bihar.gov.in/
6Notified31 October 2016 https://credai.org/assets/upload/rera/resources/the-chandigarh-real-estate-regulation-and-development-general-rules-2016.pdfhttp://rera.chbonline.in
7Notified26 April 2017 https://centrik.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/chhattisgarh-real-estate-regulatory-act.pdfhttps://rera.cgstate.gov.in/%5B%5D
8Notified31 October 2016 https://credai.org/assets/upload/rera/resources/the-dadra-and-nagar-haveli-real-estate-regulation-and-development-general-rules-2016.pdfhttp://maharera.mahaonline.gov.in/
9Notified31 October 2016 https://credai.org/assets/upload/rera/resources/the-daman-and-diu-real-estate-regulation-and-development-general-rules-2016.pdfhttp://maharera.mahaonline.gov.in/
10Notified24 November 2016 http://naredco.in/notification/pdfs/NCT%20of%20Delhi%20Real%20Estate%20(Regulation%20and%20Deveopment)%20(General)%20Rules,%202016.pdfhttp://dda.org.in/rera/index.aspx
11GoaNotified24 November 2017https://rera.goa.gov.in/reraApp/Ruleshttps://rera.goa.gov.in/
12Notified29 October 2016 http://www.naredco.in/notification/pdfs/Gujarat%20Real%20Estate%20(Regulation%20and%20Development)%20Rules,%202016_1%20(1).pdfhttp://gujrera.gujarat.gov.in/
13HaryanaNotified27 July 2017 https://tcpharyana.gov.in/Policy/Rules%20on%2027_07_2017.pdfhttp://www.haryanarera.gov.in/
14Notified28 September 2017 http://www.hprera.in/Areas/WebSite/Avatars/RuleRegulation/HP_RERA_Rules_October_2017.pdf http://www.hprera.in/
15Jammu and KashmirNot ApplicableNANANA
16Notified18 May 2017 http://rera.jharkhand.gov.in/Docs/RERAJharkhandRules.pdfhttp://rera.jharkhand.gov.in/
17KarnatakaNotified10 July 2017http://www.housing.kar.nic.in/FinalRealEstate-RegulationandDevelopment-Rules-2017asapprovedbytheCabinet.pdfhttps://rera.karnataka.gov.in/
18KeralaNotified18 June 2018https://go.lsgkerala.gov.in/files/gz20180620_22056.pdfhttps://rera.kerala.gov.in/
19Notified31 October 2016 https://credai.org/assets/upload/rera/resources/the-lakshadweep-real-estate-regulation-and-development-general-rules-2016.pdf
20Notified22 October 2016 Ruleshttp://rera.mp.gov.in/
21Notified19 April 2017http://naredco.in/notification/pdfs/Maharashtra%20%20Real%20Estate%20%20(Regulation%20%20and%20%20Development)%20%20(Recovery%20%20of%20%20Interest,%20%20Penalty,%20%20Compensation,%20%20Fine%20%20payable,%20Forms%20%20of%20%20Complaints%20%20and%20%20Appeal,%20%20etc.)%20%20Rules,%20%202017.pdfhttps://maharera.mahaonline.gov.in/
22ManipurNotifiedNANANA
23MeghalayaNot NotifiedNANANA
24MizoramNotified15 March 2019http://udpamizoram.nic.in/Documents/RERA/The%20Mizoram%20Real%20Estate%20(Regulation%20&%20Development)%20Rules,%202019.pdfhttp://udpamizoram.nic.in/RERA.HTML
25NagalandNot NotifiedNANANA
26OdishaNotified25 February 2017 http://orera.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Odisha-RERA-Rules.pdfhttps://rera.odisha.gov.in/
27PuducherryNotified18 July 2017http://tcpd.pondicherry.gov.in/Real%20Estate%20Act/Puducherry%20Real%20Estate%20(Regulation%20and%20Development)%20(General)%20Rules,%202017.pdf
28PunjabNotified8 June 2017 http://puda.gov.in/img/act_files/Real_Estate_Rules.pdf https://www.rera.punjab.gov.in/
29RajasthanNotified1 May 2017 http://naredco.in/notification/pdfs/Rajasthan%20Real%20Estate%20(Regulation%20and%20Development)%20Rules,%202017.pdfhttp://rera.rajasthan.gov.in/
30SikkimNot NotifiedNANANA
31Tamil NaduNotified22 June 2017 http://www.tnrera.in/Downloads/Acts%20&%20Rules/Ruels.pdfhttp://www.tnrera.in/index.php
32Notified4 August 2017 http://www.naredco.in/notification/pdfs/Telangana%20State%20Real%20Estate%20_Regulation%20and%20Development_%20Rules,%202017.pdfhttp://rera.telangana.gov.in/
33TripuraNotified27 October 2017http://apnarera.com/documents/tripura-forms/tripura-real-estate-regulatory-act.pdfhttps://udd.tripura.gov.in/acsnrules
34Notified11 October 2016 http://www.naredco.in/notification/pdfs/Uttar%20Pradesh%20Real%20Estate%20(Regulation%20and%20Development)%20Rules,%202016_Notification%20No.%201438_Eight-3-16-65%20Vividh16%20dated%2027th%20October%202016.pdf
35UttarakhandNotified28 April 2017 http://uhuda.org.in/?page_id=1354http://uhuda.org.in/?page_id=1354
36West BengalNot NotifiedNANANA

Notes and References

  1. News: Real Estate Bill is an act now, may protect home buyers. Economic Times. 2 May 2016 . 2 May 2016 . Sharma . Ravi Teja .
  2. Web site: Sharma. Ravi Teja. Cheer for home buyers! After Rajya Sabha, real estate regulatory bill cleared by Lok Sabha as well. Economic Tilmes. 20 March 2016. 15 March 2016.
  3. Web site: Notification No. S.O.1544(E). 2021-05-03. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs - Govt. of India.
  4. Web site: Notification No. S.O.1216(E). 2021-05-03. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs - Govt. of India.
  5. Web site: Outline of Rera Act 2016. 2021-05-03. India Code - Digital Repository of Govt. of India.
  6. Web site: Section 2 of Rera Act 2016. 2021-05-04. India Code - Digital Repository of India.
  7. Real Estate Regulatory Authority - An Authority established under Section 20 of the Rera Act 2016.
  8. Web site: Section 3 - Prior Registration of Real Estate Project with Rera. 2021-05-03. India Code - Digital Repository of Govt. of India.
  9. Web site: Section 5 - Grant of Registration. 2021-05-03. India Code - Digital Repository of Govt. of India.
  10. Web site: Section 59 - Punishment for Non-registration under Section 3. 2021-05-03. India Code - Digital Repository of Govt. of India.
  11. Web site: Punishment for not registering with Rera. 2021-05-03. Rera Questions and Answers.
  12. Web site: Section 9 - Registration of Real Estate Agents. 2021-05-03. India Code - Digital Repository of Govt. of India.
  13. Web site: Section 59 Explanation. 2020-05-05. Rera Questions and Answers.
  14. Web site: Section 60 Explanation. 2020-05-05. Rera Questions and Answers.
  15. Web site: Section 63 and 64 Explanation. 2021-05-05. Rera Questions and Answers.
  16. Web site: Section 84. 2021-05-04. India Code - Digital Repository of Govt. of India.
  17. Web site: Rera General Rules. 2021-05-05. Bare Acts Live.
  18. Web site: Real Estate Rules notified today. pib.nic.in.
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20160705015734/http://mhupa.gov.in/writereaddata/Draft_Rules-seeking-comments.pdf
  20. Web site: Housing Industry Regulatory Authority . Housing Industry Regulatory Authority . 27 September 2018.