Does Delhi RERA apply to builder floors?
Most South Delhi builder floors fall below RERA's registration thresholds. Here's what that means for buyers.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) requires certain projects to be registered with the state regulator — in Delhi, the Delhi Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
The thresholds
Registration is mandatory unless the project's land area is not more than 500 sq m and it has not more than 8 apartments (including all phases).
What that means in South Delhi
A typical builder floor on a 300 sq yd plot (about 251 sq m) with four units falls below both thresholds, so it is usually not RERA-registered. Larger plots or projects can cross the threshold.
Protecting yourself without RERA
- A detailed agreement to sell with specifications and possession date
- Construction-linked payments
- Penalty clauses for delay
- The builder's track record
Read our guide to buying under-construction floors.
If the project is registered
Check the registration on the regulator's website, and the quarterly updates the builder must file.
Calculating the thresholds
500 sq m is about 598 sq yd. A plot above that size, or a building with more than eight units, typically needs RERA registration. Larger plots in Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan or Anand Niketan can cross this threshold.
Benefits when RERA applies
- A separate escrow account for project funds
- Quarterly progress disclosures
- Remedies for delay through the regulator
- Fixed carpet-area-based sale
When RERA doesn't apply
Your protection comes from the contract, your due diligence and consumer law. Insist on:
- A written specification schedule
- Construction-linked payments
- Clear possession dates with penalties
- The builder's warranty in writing
Frequently asked questions
Can I complain about a non-RERA builder? Consumer forums and civil courts remain available for disputes.
Does RERA apply to resale? No. It governs sales by promoters of projects, not resale between individuals.
