RERA

RERA is a central law that came fully into force in 2017. Each state runs its own authority; in Karnataka it is K-RERA. Under Section 3, a project generally has to be registered before it is advertised or sold, unless the land is 500 sq m or less or the project has eight apartments or fewer. Once registered, the project gets a number and a public page with its approvals, timelines and progress.

• Carpet area. Homes are sold on carpet area, defined in Section 2(k).
• Advance cap. Section 13 says a builder cannot take more than 10% of the cost before a registered agreement for sale.
• Project account. Section 4(2)(l)(D) asks that 70% of money collected from buyers be kept in a separate account and used for that project’s land and construction.
• Defects. Section 14(3) makes the builder fix structural defects and poor workmanship reported within five years of possession, without charge.
• Complaints. Section 31 lets you complain to the authority if something goes wrong.

Find the registration number on the ad or brochure, then look it up on the K-RERA portal yourself. Check that the promoter’s name, the survey numbers and the number of units match what you are told. Look at the declared completion date and the uploaded approvals. “RERA approved” is loose talk; RERA registers projects, it does not approve their quality.

The Shalott Marque’s K-RERA number is PRM/KA/RERA/1251/308/PR/180826/008871, which you can check on the portal.