Investors and buyers planning to purchase a property in Tamil Nadu have numerous opportunities available to them. From thriving metropolitan Chennai to emerging second-home destinations like Coimbatore, there are many cities witnessing rapid growth, benefiting the property market and presenting various investment avenues. Following the implementation of the Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA), the Tamil Nadu real estate market has experienced significant growth, driven by increased transparency and trust among buyers in the sector. The regulatory authority in Tamil Nadu has laid down several guidelines to govern property transactions, ensure accountability, and protect buyers’ interests. The state also has an official website, TNRERA, which provides various services for buyers, developers and agents. Check this guide on how to view RERA-registered projects, file complaints with RERA and other useful features provided by the TNRERA website.
What is RERA Tamil Nadu?
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, notified by the Centre, requires the setting up of a state-level regulatory body and an Appellate Tribunal for monitoring and adjudicating disputes pertaining to real estate projects, as well as for framing rules under the Act. In June 2017, the Tamil Nadu Government approved the Tamil Nadu Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Rules, 2017 to implement the provisions of the RERA Act. The RERA is responsible for monitoring the real estate sector, addressing buyer concerns, and protecting their rights, thereby promoting more investment in the sector. TNRERA has jurisdiction over Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The key objectives of Tamil Nadu RERA are as follows:
- Protect the rights of buyers and developers
- Ensure accountability on the part of builders and agents
- Bring transparency in Tamil Nadu’s real estate sector
- Enforce regulations for timely project completion and delivery
- Resolve disputes by providing an effective resolution
RERA registration for projects
RERA registrations of projects are a legal requirement that all developers and promoters need to fulfil. According to RERA law, real estate projects must be registered with the relevant state-level authority if they meet the required criteria: the land area is over 500 square metres or the number of apartments developed (including all phases) exceeds eight. Moreover, ongoing projects also need to RERA registered if they had not received a completion certificate May 1, 2016, the date when RERA came into existence. RERA-approved projects aim to benefit buyers by ensuring timely delivery, access to accurate and verified information, and protecting their interests.
Before investing in a real estate project, homebuyers need to check the project’s status and RERA registration for the following reasons:
- Legal status: Registration of projects under RERA signifies that they have been legally approved by the regulatory authority.
- Access to information: Buyers can check the details of the project, including sanctioned plans and completion timelines, enabling them to make informed property purchase decisions.
- Reduce risks: Investing in RERA-approved projects safeguards buyers against potential fraud or the risks of delayed projects, saving them from financial problems.
How to check RERA-registered projects in Tamil Nadu?
- Visit the official TNRERA website at https://rera.tn.gov.in/
- Under the ‘Registration’ tab, go to ‘Projects’ and then to the ‘Registered Projects – Tamil Nadu’ section from the drop-down.
- Three options will be visible – ‘Building, Normal Layout and Regularisation Layout’.
- Choose the required option based on your preference.
- On the next page, select the year.
- The list of TN RERA-registered projects will be displayed.
- Search for the required project.
- Click on the links under ‘Approved details’ for detailed information.
How to register on TNRERA?
- Go to the official TNRERA website.
- Scroll down to the online registration section and choose the relevant option.
- On the login page, click on the new registration link.
- Create a new account by entering name, email ID, mobile number, PAN number, Aadhaar number and other relevant details.
- Click on ‘create new account’ to proceed.
How to register projects on TNRERA?
- Visit the official TNRERA website. On the home page, the ‘Online Registration’ section will be displayed on the right-hand side.
- Under Online Registration, two options for registration will be displayed – for Projects and for Agents.
- Choose the relevant option under Projects.
- On the next page, log into the portal by entering email address, password and captcha.
- Proceed to complete the registration form for the project by providing all the relevant information.
Documents required
Promoters are required to submit a set of supporting documents, which include:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Form B
- Audited balance sheet
- Letter of approval for a planning permit
- Construction licence letter
- Local body stamp on an approved plan
- Certified structural stability
- Development works schedule
- Encumbrance certificate acquired within 30 days after the application registration
- Private label rights
- Bank certificate in the prescribed format, as specified on the TNRERA website
- Letter of proforma allotment
- Photographs of the chairman or governing body/director/partner
What are the registration charges on TNRERA?
| Projects | Fee and charges |
| Residential buildings | Rs 10 per square metre of FSI, floor space index area (below 60 square metres)
Rs 20 per square metre of FSI area (above 60 square metres) |
| Commercial projects | Rs 50 per square metre of FSI area |
| Building layouts, site approvals and sub-divisions | Rs 5 per square metre of plottable area excluding roads, EWS, economically weaker section plots and OSR, open space ratio plots |
| Other projects | Rs 25 per square metre of FSI area |
RERA registration charges for agents
| Individual agents | Rs 25,000 |
| Other agents | Rs 50,000 |
How to file a complaint with Tamil Nadu RERA?
The TN RERA portal provides homebuyers with the facility to register their grievances with the authority online.
- To register a complaint, visit the TN RERA’s portal. Under ‘Downloads & Links’, go to ‘Downloads’. Click on ‘Complaint Registration’.
- Three options will be displayed:
- Form ‘L’ – for appeal to the appellate tribunal. The complaint will be directed to the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (TNREAT), which is the legislative body handling appeals escalating from decisions, directions or orders of TNRERA.
- Form ‘M’ – for complaint to regulatory authority. Such complaints regarding defects in the project will be dealt by the regulatory authority.
- Form ‘N’ – for application to adjudicating officer. These complaints pertain to claims for compensation.
- The aggrieved person must download the relevant form. It is worth noting that complaints with the RERA Authority can be filed online through Form ‘M’. However, complaints before the adjudicating authority through Form ‘N’ must be filed offline.
- When submitting the form, the person must provide all supporting documents, such as a copy of the agreement, payment receipts, and any communications with the developer or agent.
- A one-time fee must be paid to the authority. The reference number generated should be saved for future use.
- After the complaint is received, TNRERA will get in touch with the individual.
- Users can also check the Complaint Order, Cause List and Cause Diary on TNRERA portal.
What are the TNRERA complaint fees?
For complaints before the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Form – M): A fee of Rs 1,000 must be paid online.
For complaints before the adjudicating officer (Form – N): A fee of Rs 5,000 must be paid.
The aggrieved person must submit adequate copies of the complaint to be sent to the respondents, along with supporting documents duly attested on all pages, to the Authority through registered post or in person at the office within seven days from the date of filing online. Nominal stamp and court fee may be applicable.
The applicant will have to pay the Authority Rs 600 towards postage charges.
Housing.com News Viewpoint
The TNRERA enables property buyers to make informed decisions by allowing them to view RERA-approved projects and agents, and access the latest project-related information. Moreover, the RERA lays down strict guidelines for developers and promoters to ensure the timely delivery of projects. However, there may be scenarios of conflict between buyers and promoters due to project delays, poor construction, and other issues. The TNRERA portal enables buyers to raise their concerns and obtain a satisfactory resolution, to strengthen trust and confidence in the sector.
FAQs
Is it mandatory for all projects to be registered under RERA in Tamil Nadu?
All real estate projects in Tamil Nadu must be registered under RERA if they fulfil the specified criteria. These include projects with land area greater than 500 sqm or having more than eight apartments inclusive of all phases and all ongoing projects where the occupancy certificate (OC) or completion certificate (CC) has not been received.
What if a builder or agent does not register with TNRERA?
A promoter or agent failing to register with the TNRERA will face legal risks such as a penalty or imprisonment.
Should property portals have to register with TN Rera?
Yes, property portals, brokers, middlemen, dealers – all of them need to have a RERA ID, renewed from time to time.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |