RERA Consultancy Services for Buyers / Allottees in India – Project Verification, Section 31 Complaint Filing, Sec 18 Refund & Interest Claim, Possession Delay & Builder Default Recovery Advisory

For the Indian home-buyer, the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) is the strongest legal weapon available to enforce builder accountability — covering possession delay, refund of paid amounts, plan changes without consent, mis-selling, false advertising, escrow violations, and quality defects. Whether you have booked an apartment, plot, villa, or commercial unit on MahaRERA, Karnataka RERA, UP RERA, HARERA Gurugram, Telangana RERA, Tamil Nadu RERA, Delhi RERA, Gujarat RERA, West Bengal RERA, or any other state authority, RERA provides a fast, low-cost, and structured grievance forum that has decided lakhs of homebuyer complaints across India.

Our RERA consultancy services for buyers / allottees help individual home-buyers, NRI investors, allottee committees, and homebuyer associations navigate the entire dispute lifecycle — from pre-purchase project verification on the State RERA portal, due diligence on RERA registration number, escrow account, Form 1/2/3 status, and promoter track record — to Section 31 complaint filing for possession delay, refund, interest, plan changes, and builder fraud, Section 18 refund and interest claims at the prescribed rate (typically SBI MCLR + 2%), Section 14 plan-change challenges, agreement-for-sale review, allottee committee formation, and appeals before the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (REAT) and the High Court. We also handle the RERA + IBC interplay where allottees are financial creditors under the IBC framework following the Supreme Court's recognition of homebuyer rights, and execution of RERA orders against defaulting builders.

Sec 18
Refund & Interest
Sec 31
Complaint Filing
SBI MCLR + 2%
Prescribed Interest Rate
60-Day TAT
Tribunal Decision Aim
Laws & Rights We Enforce
RERA Act 2016
Sec 11 – Promoter Functions
Sec 12 – Misleading Ads
Sec 13 – 10% Cap
Sec 14 – Plan Change
Sec 18 – Refund / Interest
Sec 19 – Allottee Rights
Sec 31 – Complaint
Sec 43–44 – REAT Appeal
Sec 58 – High Court
IBC – Financial Creditor
Consumer Protection Act
SBI MCLR + 2% Rate
Specific Relief Act

Buyer / Allottee RERA Use Cases We Handle

Possession Delay

Possession Delay Claim

Builder failing to give possession on the date promised in the AFS — Sec 18 refund or continuation with interest at SBI MCLR + 2% from the original committed date.

  • Sec 18 election: refund or stay
  • SBI MCLR + 2% interest
  • From original committed date
  • Sec 31 complaint filing
  • Hearing & submissions
  • Order & execution
Refund

Full Refund & Interest

Allottee opting to exit due to delay or builder default — recovery of full booking amount + EMIs paid, with interest at the prescribed rate, plus litigation cost.

  • Booking amount recovery
  • EMI / disbursement recovery
  • Interest at SBI MCLR + 2%
  • Litigation costs
  • Bank loan coordination
  • Refund execution
Plan Change

Sec 14 Plan-Change Dispute

Builder altering layout, common areas, FSI, or specifications without two-thirds allottee consent — Sec 14 challenge, restoration order, or refund with interest.

  • 2/3rd consent test
  • Material vs minor change
  • Restoration / refund
  • Common-area protection
  • Specification mis-match
  • Sec 31 complaint
False Advertising

Mis-Selling & False Ads

Brochure / sample-flat / website promises (clubhouse, garden, school, metro proximity) not delivered — Sec 12 mis-leading advertisement claim with damages.

  • Sec 12 mis-leading ad
  • Brochure vs delivery gap
  • Sample-flat divergence
  • Damage / refund claim
  • Mandatory restoration
  • Reputation evidence
Allottee Group

Allottee Committee / Class Action

Group of allottees forming a committee for collective complaint — uniform AFS issues, common defects, possession delay across building / project, and joint REAT / NCLT action.

  • Allottee committee setup
  • Uniform Sec 31 complaint
  • Class-action efficiency
  • NCLT financial-creditor route
  • Resolution-plan voice
  • Cost-sharing structure
NRI Buyer

NRI Buyer Disputes

NRI investors facing possession delay, FEMA repatriation issues, or remote-handling challenges — RERA filing through POA, foreign-currency refund coordination, FEMA review.

  • POA-based filing
  • FEMA repatriation
  • NRO / NRE refund
  • Remote hearing support
  • Currency / FX impact
  • Tax (TDS u/s 195) tracking

Key Buyer / Allottee Rights Under RERA

Sec 11(4)(a)

Right to Project Information

Right to obtain information on sanctioned plans, layout plans, specifications, stage-wise completion, water / sanitation / electricity arrangements, and project timeline.

Project Disclosure RERA Portal
Sec 13

10% Booking Cap

No promoter can accept more than 10% of the apartment / plot cost as advance / application fee from any allottee without entering into the Agreement for Sale.

10% Cap Pre-AFS
Sec 14

Plan-Change Protection

No material change to sanctioned plans / specifications, common areas, or apartment plans without prior written consent of two-thirds of allottees.

2/3rd Consent Material Change
Sec 18

Refund or Interest on Delay

If the promoter fails to deliver possession by the promised date, the allottee can either withdraw and claim refund + interest, or continue and claim interest for delay till handover.

Refund Option Interest Option
Sec 14(3)

Five-Year Defect Liability

Any structural defect or workmanship / quality issue brought to the promoter's notice within 5 years from possession must be rectified at the promoter's cost within 30 days.

5-Year Liability 30-Day Fix
Sec 19

Allottee Rights & Duties

Right to know stage-wise progress, possession date, common-area handover, and to form an Association of Allottees / Society for taking over common areas and management.

Society Formation Common Areas
Sec 31

Right to File Complaint

Any aggrieved allottee can file a complaint before the State RERA Authority or the Adjudicating Officer with low filing fees, simple form, and lawyer-optional representation.

Low Fee Lawyer Optional
Sec 43 / 44

Appeal to REAT

Order of the State RERA / Adjudicating Officer is appealable to the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (REAT); REAT order is appealable to the High Court under Sec 58.

60-Day Appeal REAT → HC

Our RERA Consultancy Services for Buyers

01

Pre-Purchase Project Verification

Project due diligence on State RERA portal — registration number, validity, escrow account, Form 1/2/3 status, builder track record, complaint history, and red-flag analysis.

02

Agreement for Sale (AFS) Review

Clause-by-clause review of builder's AFS — possession date, payment schedule, plan-change clauses, force-majeure, defect liability, and exit clauses; redlines and negotiation support.

03

Sec 31 Complaint Drafting & Filing

End-to-end Sec 31 complaint preparation — facts, grounds, prayers, evidence index, and online filing on State RERA portal; affidavit notarisation and follow-up.

04

Sec 18 Refund & Interest Claim

Refund computation including booking amount, EMIs paid, stamp duty / GST, plus interest at SBI MCLR + 2% from each payment date — full claim build-up.

05

Possession Delay Strategy

Election strategy between continuing with project (interest only) vs withdrawing (refund + interest) — analysed with current market value, builder solvency, and timeline.

06

Sec 14 Plan-Change Challenge

Challenge to material plan changes done without two-thirds consent — restoration / refund claim, evidence pack, and Sec 31 complaint workflow.

07

Hearing Representation

Representation before State RERA Adjudicating Officer / Authority — written submissions, oral arguments, evidence-leading, and cross-examination of builder representatives.

08

REAT Appeal

Appeal before Real Estate Appellate Tribunal under Sec 43 — appeal memorandum, statutory deposit (typically 30%), grounds, and oral arguments till final order.

09

Allottee Committee Formation

Coordination of allottee committees for class action — group identification, common cause framing, cost-sharing structure, and unified Sec 31 / NCLT strategy.

10

Order Execution & Recovery

Execution of RERA / REAT refund orders — recovery proceedings, attachment of builder properties, escrow attachment, and police / collector liaison where required.

11

RERA + IBC Interplay

Where the builder is in IBC, allottees are financial creditors under Sec 5(8)(f) IBC — CoC representation, Sec 7 application, resolution-plan voting, and parallel RERA strategy.

12

NRI Buyer Support

POA-based RERA filing for NRIs, FEMA repatriation of refund, NRO / NRE account routing, TDS u/s 195 compliance, and remote hearing coordination.

When Buyers Need RERA Consultancy Support

Before Booking a Property

Pre-purchase verification of RERA number, escrow status, Form 1/2/3 progress, and builder track record — single-most-important due-diligence step before paying booking amount.

Builder Asking > 10% Pre-AFS

Builder demanding more than 10% of unit cost before signing AFS — direct violation of Sec 13; basis for legal pushback and bargaining for AFS execution.

Possession Date Has Passed

Original possession date in AFS has lapsed without handover — Sec 18 right activated; election between refund + interest or continuation + interest from each EMI date.

Plan Changes Without Consent

Builder changing layout, common areas, FSI, or specifications without two-thirds allottee consent — restoration or refund claim under Sec 14.

Brochure vs Reality Mismatch

Promised clubhouse, garden, swimming pool, school, metro proximity, or branded fittings absent in delivery — Sec 12 mis-leading advertisement claim with damages.

Quality Defects Post-Possession

Structural cracks, water seepage, electrical failures, or workmanship issues within 5 years of possession — Sec 14(3) defect liability claim with 30-day fix.

Builder Insolvent / IBC

Builder in IBC, project stalled, allottees as financial creditors under Sec 5(8)(f) — CoC participation, RERA + IBC parallel strategy, and resolution plan voice.

RERA Order Not Being Followed

RERA / REAT refund order unexecuted by builder — recovery proceedings, attachment of builder's escrow / properties, and police / collector liaison.

Documents Needed for Buyer RERA Complaint

Allottee & Property

  • Allottee PAN / Aadhaar / KYC
  • NRI passport / OCI (if NRI)
  • Allotment letter
  • Agreement for Sale (AFS)
  • Sale deed (if executed)
  • Possession date in AFS
  • RERA registration number

Payment & Bank

  • All payment receipts
  • Bank statements showing transfers
  • Home-loan disbursement letters
  • EMI ledger
  • Stamp duty / GST receipts
  • Demand letters from builder
  • NRO / NRE bank statements (NRI)

Communication & Marketing

  • Brochure & sales kit
  • Sample-flat photographs
  • Website / WhatsApp screenshots
  • E-mail trail with builder
  • Builder demand notices
  • Possession-delay communication
  • Plan-change notifications

Our Buyer RERA Engagement Process

1

Case Diagnostic

Document review, possession-date and payment timeline reconstruction, builder profile check, RERA portal status review, and strategy memo.

2

Pre-Litigation Notice

Legal notice to builder seeking refund / handover with interest, providing evidence base and prompting settlement before formal complaint.

3

Sec 31 Complaint Filing

Drafting facts, grounds, prayers, computation of refund / interest, evidence pack, online filing on State RERA portal, and affidavit notarisation.

4

Hearing & Order

Hearing representation, written submissions, evidence-leading, cross-examination, oral arguments, and follow-through till final order.

5

Execution / Appeal

Execution of refund order, attachment of builder property / escrow, recovery proceedings; or REAT / High Court appeal where the order needs challenge.

Why Buyers Choose Us for RERA Consultancy

Pre-purchase due diligence
Sec 18 refund / interest claims
Multi-state RERA filings
Allottee committee support
REAT / High Court appeals
RERA + IBC strategy
Order execution / recovery
NRI buyer specialists

FAQs on RERA for Buyers / Allottees

What can a buyer do if a builder delays possession?
Under Section 18 of the RERA Act, when a promoter fails to give possession by the date promised in the Agreement for Sale, the allottee has two options: (a) Withdraw from the project and claim a refund of the entire amount paid with interest at the prescribed rate (usually SBI MCLR + 2%) from the date of payment; or (b) Continue with the project and claim interest for every month of delay at the prescribed rate till actual handover. The election is at the allottee's choice — not the builder's. The claim is filed via Sec 31 complaint with the State RERA Authority or its Adjudicating Officer.
How do I check if a project is registered under RERA?
Every State RERA Authority publishes a public portal — for example, MahaRERA (maharera.maharashtra.gov.in), Karnataka RERA (rera.karnataka.gov.in), UP RERA (up-rera.in), HARERA (haryanarera.gov.in), Telangana RERA, Tamil Nadu RERA, Delhi RERA, Gujarat RERA — that lets anyone search by project name, builder name, or RERA registration number. The portal shows: project status, RERA number and validity, sanctioned plans, declared completion date, escrow account details, quarterly Form 1/2/3 progress reports, and any pending complaints. Always verify before paying any booking amount and ensure marketing material carries the correct RERA number.
What is the rate of interest payable to a buyer on delay or refund?
The "prescribed rate of interest" under RERA Rules is set by each State, but most states (including Maharashtra, Karnataka, UP, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana) prescribe SBI's highest marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) plus 2%. The Supreme Court has upheld this benchmark as fair and equitable. The same rate applies both ways — i.e., when the builder has to pay the buyer for delay / refund, and (in narrower circumstances) when the buyer is in default. Interest typically runs from the date of each payment by the buyer until refund / handover, leading to substantial accumulated claims in long-delayed projects.
How do I file a Section 31 complaint under RERA?
A Section 31 complaint is filed online on the State RERA portal in the prescribed form (e.g., Form A in many states), by the affected allottee or association of allottees, against the promoter / agent. The complaint must include: facts, grounds, prayers (refund / interest / possession / restoration), supporting documents (allotment letter, AFS, payment receipts, builder communication), an affidavit, and a nominal filing fee (typically ₹1,000 to ₹5,000). The complaint is heard by either the Authority or the Adjudicating Officer depending on the relief sought (compensation goes to AO; declaratory and injunctive relief to Authority). Lawyer representation is optional — RERA was designed to be allottee-friendly.
Can I file a RERA complaint and a consumer / IBC case at the same time?
Generally, the same cause of action cannot be pursued in two forums simultaneously — the allottee must elect a forum. However, in practice: (a) RERA is the most direct, fast, and specialised forum for possession delay, refund, plan changes, and quality issues; (b) Consumer fora remain available for service-deficiency claims, with allottees free to choose; (c) IBC is invoked when the builder is insolvent — under Sec 5(8)(f) IBC, allottees are financial creditors and can either join the CoC of an existing CIRP or file a fresh Sec 7 application (subject to the threshold of 100 allottees or 10% of total allottees). Strategic forum selection matters; parallel proceedings risk being struck down.
What is the appeal process if I am unhappy with the RERA order?
Either party (allottee or promoter) aggrieved by an order of the State RERA Authority or Adjudicating Officer can file an appeal under Sec 43 before the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (REAT) within 60 days. Where the appellant is the promoter, Sec 43(5) requires pre-deposit of (typically) the amount payable under the order before the appeal can proceed. The REAT order can be further appealed to the High Court under Sec 58 within 60 days, but only on a substantial question of law. Statutory limitation periods are strict — delay beyond limit needs application for condonation with reasons.
What happens if the builder ignores the RERA refund order?
Where the builder fails to comply with a RERA / REAT order, the allottee can pursue execution. Tools available: (a) Sec 40 recovery as arrears of land revenue through the District Collector; (b) attachment of the builder's bank accounts, including the project escrow account; (c) attachment of unsold inventory; (d) Sec 63 daily penalty for non-compliance with RERA orders; (e) Sec 64 imprisonment up to 3 years for non-compliance with REAT orders; (f) if the builder is insolvent, conversion into an IBC Sec 7 application as a financial creditor. Persistent execution effort, often coordinated through allottee committees, is the key to recovery in stalled / litigious projects.

Possession Protected. Refund Recovered. Builder Held Accountable.

Partner with our buyer-side RERA specialists for end-to-end allottee protection — pre-purchase verification, AFS review, Sec 18 refund / interest claims, Sec 31 complaints, REAT appeals, and order execution for FY 2026–27.

Talk to a Buyer RERA Expert