How to File a RERA Complaint Against Your Builder — Complete Guide (2026)

What Is a RERA Complaint?

A RERA complaint is a formal complaint filed with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. RERA was created to protect homebuyers from builder fraud, delayed possession, and unfair practices.

Every state has its own RERA authority — for example, MahaRERA for Maharashtra, UP RERA for Uttar Pradesh, and HRERA for Haryana.

When Should You File a RERA Complaint?

You should file when your builder has:

Delayed possession beyond the promised date in the agreement

Delivered poor construction quality that doesn't match what was promised

Failed to provide amenities (swimming pool, gym, garden) that were advertised

Made false claims in their marketing material

Refused to give a refund despite being unable to deliver

Not registered the project with RERA (which is mandatory for projects above 500 sq meters or 8 units)

What Compensation Can You Get?

RERA provides strong remedies for homebuyers:

Refund with interest: At SBI PLR + 2% per annum from the date of each payment

Possession with penalty: The builder must pay you interest for every month of delay

Compensation: For mental agony, harassment, and inconvenience

Penalty on builder: RERA can impose penalties up to 5% of the project cost

How to File — Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Collect your sale agreement, payment receipts, allotment letter, builder correspondence, and any marketing material that shows false promises.

Step 2: Check the RERA Registration

Verify if the project is registered with RERA on your state's RERA portal. If it's not registered (and should be), that itself is a violation.

Step 3: Send a Legal Notice (Optional but Recommended)

Sending a legal notice to the builder before filing RERA shows you attempted resolution. It also puts the builder on formal notice.

Step 4: File Online at Your State RERA Portal

Each state has its own portal:

Maharashtra: maharera.maharashtra.gov.in

Uttar Pradesh: up-rera.in

Karnataka: rera.karnataka.gov.in

Haryana: haryanarera.gov.in

Gujarat: gujrera.gujarat.gov.in

The filing fee is typically ₹1,000 for individual homebuyers.

Step 5: Attend Hearings

RERA must dispose of the complaint within 60 days. Both parties are heard, and the authority passes a binding order.

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