MahaRERA Paves the Way for Transparent and Consumer-Friendly Real Estate in 2025
The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has taken significant strides in 2025 to enhance transparency and consumer protection in the real estate sector. Under the leadership of Chairman Manoj Saunik, who took over in September 2024, MahaRERA has implemented a series of reforms that address long-standing issues faced by homebuyers.
Among the recent reforms, MahaRERA has moved away from a one-size-fits-all approach to homebuyer concerns. The authority has introduced several measures aimed at addressing common issues such as lack of project progress, false advertising, parking space allocation, and delayed payment of damages to customers.
One of the most significant actions taken by MahaRERA in 2025 was the suspension of registration for thousands of completed residential developments across Maharashtra. In January 2025, MahaRERA suspended the registration of over 1,900 terminated residential projects due to non-compliance with statutory registration requirements. These requirements include filing periodic construction updates and providing financial information on the MahaRERA portal. This mass suspension is a first for the regulatory body, and it has led to the suspension of bank accounts of erring developers, halting all monetary transactions related to the projects. This followed show-cause notices issued to thousands of developers in late 2024, giving them an opportunity to rectify their shortcomings. Non-compliance could result in severe penalties.
In another major move to combat misleading advertising, MahaRERA mandated the inclusion of QR codes in all real estate advertisements, effective April 2025. Advertisements must now display the project's registration number prominently, along with a QR code that links directly to the RERA website for the project. This ensures that buyers can instantly verify the project's status before making any financial commitments. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in financial penalties, making transparency a non-negotiable aspect for developers and brokers.
Parking space allocation, a common issue in high-density projects, was also addressed by MahaRERA in 2025. In a landmark ruling in July, the tribunal ordered a Mumbai developer to provide parking spots within the same wing as the apartment units, addressing complaints from homebuyers about parking spaces being allocated in different wings. This ruling, which deemed the previous allocation a deficiency in service, set a precedent for similar cases across the state.
To enhance accessibility and expedite justice, MahaRERA introduced a hybrid hearing system in August 2025. Complainants can now choose between virtual or in-person hearings, as directed by the Bombay High Court. While online filing of documents remains mandatory, the option for physical hearings when necessary has been well-received by homebuyers, societies, and developers.
Towards the end of the year, MahaRERA implemented a Standard Operating Procedure for quicker compensation recoveries for aggrieved buyers. If developers fail to make compensation payments within 60 days of an order, consumers can file a default case, which will be resolved within a stipulated period. This new process aims to close the enforcement gap that often left favorable orders unenforced, ensuring that buyers receive timely relief.
The initiatives enacted by MahaRERA in 2025 have been widely discussed by all stakeholders. The regulatory body has adopted a comprehensive approach that includes stringent enforcement, increased transparency, and the introduction of new procedures. While implementation and compliance have been challenging, the current developments suggest that the regulatory framework will continue to improve, becoming more predictable and responsive to homebuyers' needs. For homebuyers, 2025 may well be remembered as a critical year in restoring confidence in the regulatory framework that protects their most significant financial asset.
