July 8, 2024: RERA Maharashtra, the regulatory body of the Maharashtra government, has fined 628 projects in the state for not complying with its mandatory rule of displaying the project registration number and QR code while advertising it. A total of Rs 88.9 lakh has been fined, of which the regulatory body has collected Rs 72.35 lakh.
Fines levied and collected by RERA Maharashtra
| City | Number of default projects | Areas | Fine levied | Fine collected |
| Mumbai | 312 | Mumbai suburban, Thane, Nashik, Konkan | Rs 54.25 lakh | Rs 41.5 lakh |
| Pune | 250 | Pune city, western Maharashtra, Marathwada | Rs 28.30 lakh
|
Rs 24.75 lakh |
| Nagpur | 66 | Districts of Vidarbha | Rs 6.35 lakh | Rs 6.10 lakh |
To ensure buyer safety, the MahaRERA has made it compulsory to include the project QR code and the project’s RERA registration prominently in all project marketing material, including advertisements. All project developers were notified of this, and it has been effective since August 1, 2023.
The regulator regularly identifies projects that don’t comply with this rule and levies a penalty. It has collaborated with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in this regard. Additionally, the regulatory body warns homebuyers against investing in projects that do not mention these details.
As a homebuyer, be aware that, when the QR code in the project advertisement is scanned, one gets access to important information about the project, including the project name, developer name, registration renewal status, expected completion date, complaints, litigations, and any recovery warrants that have been issued. This step is in favour of the homebuyer and protecting his interests so that he invests in a project that has clear records.
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