How to read a RERA certificate before you book

Every residential project above 500 square metres in Maharashtra must be registered with MahaRERA before it can be advertised or sold. The certificate is public, and it tells you more than most brochures.

1. The registration number

It starts with P5 for Maharashtra. Search it on the MahaRERA website and make sure the project name and promoter match.

2. The proposed completion date

This is the date the developer is legally committed to. Compare it with the possession date in the sales brochure. They should match.

3. Quarterly progress updates

Developers must upload construction progress every quarter. Gaps in these updates are a warning sign.

4. The designated bank account

Seventy percent of what you pay must sit in a separate account used only for that project. Ask for the account details and the CA certificate for withdrawals.