The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act continues to evolve in 2026, with several states strengthening enforcement and introducing new buyer-friendly provisions. Here are the key developments every home buyer in India should be aware of.
Mandatory Disclosure of All Charges Upfront
MahaRERA (Maharashtra's regulatory authority) issued a circular in early 2026 mandating that builders disclose the complete cost sheet — including floor rise, PLC, parking, amenity charges, and all other levies — at the time of RERA registration. Builders can no longer introduce new charges after registration that were not disclosed initially.
This directly benefits buyers who can now verify on the MahaRERA portal whether the charges on a builder's cost sheet match the registered amounts. Any discrepancy is a RERA violation.
Stricter Timelines for Society Formation
RERA authorities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana have tightened enforcement of society formation timelines. Builders must now form the cooperative housing society within 3 months of the date by which 51% of units are sold (previously enforced loosely or ignored). Failure attracts penalties and can lead to the builder being barred from registering new projects.
Why this matters: Without a registered society, residents cannot open a collective bank account, cannot maintain common areas properly, and face difficulties with utility connections and future redevelopment. Always check if the society has been formed before you take possession.
Penalty for Delayed Possession Strengthened
The Supreme Court reaffirmed in 2025–26 that builders must pay interest at the SBI MCLR + 2% rate for every month of delay beyond the RERA-registered possession date. This interest accrues automatically and buyers can claim it through the RERA complaint mechanism — no separate legal action required.
Several state RERA authorities have also begun proactively issuing demand notices to defaulting builders rather than waiting for individual buyer complaints.
How to Use RERA Before Buying
- Search the project on your state's RERA portal by project name or promoter name
- Check the registered completion date vs the promised delivery date
- Verify that the floor plan, number of units, and project specifications match the builder's brochure
- Check if the builder has any pending complaints or penalties on the RERA portal
- Download the registered cost sheet and compare it with what you've been quoted