RERA MIGHT BE NOTIFIED BY MAY 2017 - Buyers might be benefited by this legislation

 May 1, 2017 (RERA) (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) will be implemented from this day.

It is believed that  implementation of RERA is likely to bring in transparency in the sector. 

RERA will protect the interest of the homebuyer and ensure timely delivery of projects.

Under the Act, builders have to deposit 70 per cent of the collected amount in an escrow account to ensure that money is not diverted from one project to another. 

There will be fines and penalties if the developer does not adhere to delivery guidelines.

Moreover, regulatory bodies and appellate tribunals have to be set up in each state to solve builder-buyer disputes within 120 days. 

Besides, promoters will not be able to change a project's design without buyers' consent, and carpet area will carry a uniform definition - a common reason for builder-buyer disputes.

The Highlights of RERA are:

1)Escrow account: The developer will have to transfer 70 per cent money received from home buyers to an escrow account. This money will be withdrawn as per the stages of construction, approved by engineers and chartered accountants of builders. This will prevent developers from using the money raised for one project for any other project.

2)Pay for what you get: The buyer will pay only for the carpet area (area within walls). The builder can't charge for the super built-up area, as is the practice at present, where you get 900-1,000 sq. ft. carpet area if you book a 1,300 sq. ft. house (the rest is balconies and common spaces). 

The new law is expected to stop this practice.

3)Clearances before selling: Developers will be able to sell projects only after the necessary clearances. 

Under RERA, builders and agents will have to register themselves with the regulator and get all projects with more than eight apartments registered before launch. This will take care of common malpractices such as selling property before getting the necessary clearances. The builder will also have to disclose every detail about the project - number of apartments, carpet area, etc.

4) Five-year warranty: The builder will have to provide for any structural defect in the building for five years. 

5)  The prices and the implementation of RERA?

Property prices are not connected to RERA. It is determined by demand and supply in the market.  The prices will see a correction after the implementation of RERA. However, margins are expected to increase because of lower cost of construction and developers will be in a position to pass the benefits to customers."

6) Role of states: Although RERA is a central law, its implementation will depend on state governments, as real estate is a state subject.

Though RERA promises to bring transparency in the real estate sector, dilution of the Act at the state level is a cause for concern. A few state governments have done away with application of the Act on under-construction properties, while the Central Act clearly states it has to apply to both under-construction and new projects.