Karnataka Fourth in RERA Complaints: Homebuyer Engagement and Market Health
Karnataka ranks fourth in India for Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) complaints, reflecting a strong and active real estate market. The state has recorded 12,772 RERA complaints, with a disposal rate of over 80%, aligning closely with the national average.
A growing number of real estate projects often comes with its share of disputes, as seen in the increasing number of RERA complaints across key property markets. According to the latest RERA track status report released on March 9, which tracks data from 2016 to 2026, Karnataka's high complaint rate is a healthy indicator of a vibrant real estate sector and heightened homebuyer awareness.
Ramachandra CH, joint secretary of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (Credai) national chapter, noted that project delays often result from market conditions, worker shortages, and clearances. He added that the rise in RERA filings is due to increased awareness among homebuyers, though this does not always indicate that builders are at fault.
Despite the high case-disposal rate, the execution of RERA orders remains a challenge. MS Shankar, general secretary of the Forum for People's Collective Efforts, pointed out that even a RERA 'victory' can feel hollow. While states like Uttar Pradesh (86%), Maharashtra (81%), and Karnataka (80%) have strong disposal rates, the real hurdle lies in execution—getting the money into the bank or the keys into the hands of the buyers. In Karnataka, the main bottleneck is the district administration. After the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) issues a recovery certificate, buyers must physically pursue the tahsildar or DC's office to initiate recovery as arrears of land revenue, but this follow-through is often slow.
Recovery rates remain low, with 16-17% in Mumbai and 12% in Karnataka. In Karnataka, over 1,500 execution applications were filed, but only 292 saw recovery. In Odisha, only 4 of nearly 500 cases sent to the collector were executed. Bimalendu Pradhan, general secretary of the All Odisha Home Buyers' Federation, noted that though the Supreme Court mandated that execution should be completed within six months, the lack of infrastructure and limited police powers mean that many favorable RERA orders fail to reach their logical conclusion.
At the national level, Uttar Pradesh leads with 60,021 complaints filed and 52,047 disposed of, followed by Maharashtra, Haryana-Gurugram. Among the major states, West Bengal has the lowest complaint activity, with only 61 cases filed and 51 disposed of. Other states with low activity include Himachal Pradesh (154 filings, 144 disposals), Goa (542 filings, 458 disposals), and Jharkhand (552 filings, 412 disposals).
Union territories present a mixed picture. Delhi has seen a steady stream of cases, with 2,995 filed and 1,779 disposed of. Several smaller UTs continue to show limited regulatory activity, with a total of 3,039 cases filed and 1,822 disposed of across the eight UTs.
Odisha is the only state to introduce both a dedicated apartment ownership framework and a formal project closure policy under RERA. Karnataka has announced plans for a closure policy, though many states are yet to implement such measures. This proactive approach is crucial for ensuring that homebuyers receive the support they need and that the real estate market remains transparent and fair.
