Fifteen minutes of checking can save fifteen years of dispute. You are standing in a sales office in Kondapur, Gachibowli or Kokapet. The model flat looks perfect. The agent says “only a few units left”. Before you transfer a rupee, run the checks below.
The answer in 30 seconds: In Telangana, RERA is administered by TG-RERA. Confirm the project and promoter on the TG-RERA portal, read the sanctioned plan and timeline, insist on a registered agreement for sale, and keep every receipt.
Part 5 of 5. You now know what RERA is (Part 1), what builders must do (Part 2), what you can claim (Part 3) and who enforces it (Part 4). Here is how to use all of it.
TG-RERA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG-RERA) |
| Rules | Telangana Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017 (G.O.Ms.No.202, 31 July 2017) |
| General Regulations | Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (General) Regulations, 2023 (gazette dated 24 September 2023) |
| Interest rate (Rule 15) | SBI highest MCLR + 2% |
| Complaint fee | Rs 1,000 (Form M to Authority; Form N to Adjudicating Officer) |
| Appeal fee to Tribunal | Rs 5,000 (Form L) |
| Portal tools | Search registered projects and agents; register a complaint; orders of the Authority, Adjudicating Officer and REAT |
8 steps to verify a project on the TG-RERA portal
- Get the number. Ask the seller for the TG-RERA registration number. Ads must carry it (Section 11(2)).
- Search the portal. Use “Search Registered Projects and Agents” on the TG-RERA website. Match project name, promoter and location.
- Read the project page. Check the declared completion date, sanctioned plans, number of units, approvals and quarterly updates.
- Check the promoter’s record. The portal lists orders. Search for any involving the promoter.
- Check the agent. An agent facilitating the sale must be registered (Section 9).
- Check the money. Ask for the separate account details and how the 70% requirement is being met.
- Read the agreement. It should state carpet area, price per carpet area, payment schedule, possession date, defect liability and interest terms matching the Act.
- Pay through banking channels and keep every receipt.
Documents to ask for
- Registration certificate from TG-RERA.
- Title documents and a legal title report from an advocate (RERA does not replace a title check).
- Building permission and approvals from the competent authority.
- Sanctioned plan and layout.
- Draft agreement for sale.
- Encumbrance certificate for the land.
- For resale or near-complete projects, the occupancy certificate status.
Red flags when buying property in Hyderabad
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| No registration number in ad or brochure | May breach Section 11(2) or Section 3 |
| A large payment demanded before a registered agreement | Section 13 caps the advance at 10% |
| Area quoted only in “super built-up” | RERA requires carpet area |
| Number does not match the portal | Possible fake or lapsed registration |
| Completion date far later than the brochure | The registered date governs, so check it |
| Pressure to sign a revised addendum | May reset your possession date |
| Cash payments or no receipts | You lose proof of payment |
| No quarterly updates for long periods | Compliance concern under Section 11(1) |
Special situations
- Plotted layouts: RERA covers plotted development too, with different registration fees in the Rules.
- Older projects: The Telangana Rules refer to building permissions on or after 1 January 2017 in defining “ongoing” projects. If your project is older, ask the Authority or a professional whether it falls in.
- Lapsed or revoked projects: The Act lets the Authority arrange completion, including through the allottees’ association. TG-RERA also hosts a notice on projects completed by an association under Section 8.
- Association of allottees: The TG-RERA FAQ says it should be formed within three months once 51% of the allottees have booked.
If a check fails
- Do not pay or sign.
- If you have already paid, write to the promoter and keep proof.
- File a complaint on the TG-RERA complaint portal under Section 31 (see Part 3).
- Remember the Consumer Commission remains an alternative remedy (see Part 4).
The whole RERA series in five lines
- Part 1: What RERA is and who it covers.
- Part 2: What builders must do.
- Part 3: Your rights when possession is late.
- Part 4: Who enforces RERA and the penalties.
- Part 5: The Telangana checklist you just read.
The Authority, the Rules and the forms can change. Verify the current position on the TG-RERA website before you act.
TG-RERA: FAQs
How do I know a Hyderabad project is RERA-registered? Search the project and promoter on the TG-RERA registered projects search and match the number in the advertisement.
Is a RERA number enough to buy safely? No. Registration does not replace a title check, an approvals check or reading the agreement. Take a legal title report.
What is the complaint fee? Rs 1,000 for a complaint to the Authority (Form M) or the Adjudicating Officer (Form N) under the Telangana Rules, 2017. Confirm current fees on the portal.
Does TG-RERA cover plots? Yes, plotted development is covered, with its own fee slab in the Rules.
Do older projects come under RERA? It depends on permissions and completion status. Ask the Authority or a professional about yours.
Can I withdraw if the ad misled me? Section 12 allows withdrawal with refund and interest where you suffered loss from a false statement.
Sources
General education, not legal advice.
Arpan Bohra & Co., Chartered Accountants · Website: arpanbohra.co.in · Email: ab@arpanbohra.co.in