Rera Mandates Public Notice Before Registration in Gurgaon Real Estate

Gurgaon: Developers in Gurgaon, a highly active real estate market, must now publish notices in newspapers soon after applying for Rera registration of their housing projects, according to a new directive from the real estate regulator. This mandatory public disclosure, announced by Rera (Gurgaon) chairman Arun Kumar, marks a crucial step in preventing pre-launch sales and protecting homebuyers' interests.

The public notice requirement ensures transparency by officially announcing that a promoter has applied for, but not yet received, Rera registration. 'Now, it will be difficult for a promoter to mislead an investor into booking a unit during the pre-launch stage. Buyers can now track a project's registration status in real time,' said Kumar, adding that the public notice will not only validate assertions made by promoters but also put Rera's accountability in the spotlight.

Gurgaon has long struggled with pre-launch sales, where developers, sometimes in collusion with real estate agents, begin marketing and even selling units without Rera's clearance. Such practices violate the Rera Act, 2016, and lead to numerous buyer grievances, including hidden encumbrances like high-tension lines, roads running through plots, and inadequate infrastructure. 'The notice will indirectly regulate pre-registration advertisements and promotional activities. It will also inform buyers that the project is not yet registered with Rera, encouraging them to verify all claims and approach the regulator for authentic details, including deficiencies in infrastructure,' Kumar explained.

In the past, several premium projects in the city were sold out entirely before receiving Rera registration, leaving buyers with little legal recourse in case of delays or irregularities. The move aims to empower homebuyers with timely information before making investment decisions. The authority also clarified that the public notice will contain only limited information to preserve the confidentiality of the registration process. However, it will be sufficient for a prospective buyer to understand the residential project's status and exercise caution before making any commitments.

This new regulation is expected to bring more transparency and accountability to the real estate market in Gurgaon, ensuring that homebuyers are better informed and protected from fraudulent practices.