Maharashtra RERA: Complete Guide for Homebuyers
Everything homebuyers need to know about MahaRERA in 2026. How to use the portal, what to check, and how trust scores help you make better property decisions.
Maharashtra was among the first states to implement the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, and MahaRERA (Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority) has become one of the most active RERA bodies in India. With over 40,000 registered projects and more than 29,000 complaints processed, MahaRERA has set the benchmark for real estate regulation nationwide.
This guide covers everything a homebuyer needs to know about using MahaRERA effectively in 2026, supplemented by trust score data from RERAScore's Maharashtra coverage.
What MahaRERA Does for Homebuyers
MahaRERA serves three primary functions that directly benefit homebuyers:
1. Project Registration and Transparency
Every residential project in Maharashtra with more than eight units must register with MahaRERA before advertising or selling. Registration requires developers to disclose project plans, land title details, completion timelines, approvals obtained, and financial arrangements including escrow account details.
This means every legitimate project in Maharashtra has a public file you can examine. The challenge is that the raw data on the MahaRERA portal is difficult to analyse without context -- which is where trust scores become valuable.
2. Complaint Resolution
MahaRERA accepts and adjudicates complaints from homebuyers against developers. Common complaint categories include delayed possession, refund disputes, deviation from approved plans, and non-disclosure of material information. The authority has the power to impose penalties, order refunds, and even revoke project registrations.
3. Developer Accountability
By requiring quarterly progress reports and financial disclosures, MahaRERA creates an ongoing accountability mechanism. Developers who fail to comply face penalties and potential project suspension. Over 5,000 projects have been suspended by MahaRERA for various non-compliance issues.
Key Districts in Maharashtra: What the Data Shows
Maharashtra's real estate market is concentrated in several major districts. Here is how they compare based on our trust score analysis:
Pune
Pune has emerged as one of Maharashtra's most active real estate markets, with thousands of RERA-registered projects spanning areas like Hinjewadi, Wakad, Baner, Kothrud, and Hadapsar. The district has a mix of large developers with strong track records and smaller builders with variable compliance.
Explore detailed project data and builder rankings for Pune on our Pune district page.
Mumbai Suburban
Mumbai Suburban district (covering Andheri, Goregaon, Borivali, Kandivali, and surrounding areas) hosts some of the most expensive real estate in India. Projects here tend to have higher documentation compliance due to intense regulatory scrutiny, but delivery delays remain common due to complex approval processes and land acquisition challenges.
See trust scores for Mumbai Suburban projects on our Mumbai Suburban page.
Thane
Thane has become a major residential hub, offering relatively affordable housing with good connectivity to Mumbai. The district has seen rapid growth in RERA registrations, but this growth also brings a wider range of builder quality. Due diligence is especially important here.
Raigad (Navi Mumbai)
Including Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Kharghar, this district is seeing massive infrastructure-driven development. The upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and metro connectivity are driving demand, but buyers should verify that project timelines account for infrastructure completion dependencies.
How to Use the MahaRERA Portal
Searching for Projects
Visit maharera.maharashtra.gov.in and use the project search feature. You can search by:
- Project name
- RERA registration number (starts with P)
- Promoter or developer name
- District or taluka
What to Check in a Project Filing
Once you find a project, examine these fields carefully:
Completion Date and Extensions: How many times has the completion date been extended? Each extension is a data point our trust score methodology captures. More than two extensions should prompt further investigation.
Quarterly Progress Reports: Are they filed regularly? What percentage of construction is complete? How does the reported progress compare to the project's timeline?
Complaint Count: How many complaints have been filed against this project or promoter? You can get a normalised view of complaint rates on our rankings page.
Promoter Details: Verify the promoter entity. Check whether the same promoter has other projects and how those projects are performing.
Financial Details: Look for escrow account information. RERA mandates that 70% of buyer funds be deposited in a project-specific escrow account.
Trust Scores as a Supplement to MahaRERA Portal
The MahaRERA portal provides data; RERAScore provides analysis. Here is how trust scores supplement the official portal:
Aggregated Builder View
MahaRERA is project-focused. A builder with 30 projects requires 30 separate searches to evaluate their overall track record. RERAScore aggregates all projects by a builder into a single builder profile with an average portfolio score.
Comparative Context
A project with 5 complaints sounds concerning until you learn the district average is 8. Trust scores provide normalised comparison against district and state averages.
Dimension Breakdown
Instead of raw data, you see six scored dimensions: delivery, documents, legal risk, financial health, registration quality, and agent network. This makes it immediately clear where a project's strengths and weaknesses lie.
Cross-Builder Comparison
Shortlisted two builders? Use our comparison tool to see them side by side across all dimensions.
Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make in Maharashtra
Trusting Marketing Over RERA Data
Glossy brochures and model flats do not reflect a builder's compliance record. Always verify claims against RERA filings. If a builder claims their project will be delivered in 2027, check whether the RERA filing supports that timeline.
Ignoring the Builder's Other Projects
A developer marketing a new launch may have delayed or stalled projects elsewhere. Check their full portfolio on RERAScore's Maharashtra builder directory.
Not Checking for MahaRERA Orders
MahaRERA issues orders against non-compliant developers. These orders are public but not always easy to find. A builder with multiple adverse orders is a high-risk investment. Orders can range from financial penalties to complete project suspension or revocation of registration.
Paying Before RERA Registration
Never pay any amount -- even a booking amount or token -- for a project that is not RERA registered. This is illegal under the RERA Act and leaves you with no regulatory recourse if something goes wrong. Under Section 3 of the RERA Act, advertising, marketing, booking, selling, or offering for sale any real estate project without registration is punishable with up to 10% of the estimated project cost as penalty.
Skipping the Escrow Account Check
RERA mandates that 70% of buyer funds go into a dedicated escrow account for the project. Verify that the escrow account exists and is active in the RERA filing. Fund diversion is one of the most common developer frauds. Industry insiders have alleged that funds meant for escrow accounts are routinely siphoned off using fake vendors or related entities.
Relying Solely on Google Reviews
Online reviews of builders and projects can be manipulated. Developers sometimes pay for positive reviews or use bots to inflate ratings on platforms like Google Maps and real estate portals. Data-driven trust scores based on RERA compliance records are far more reliable than user reviews for evaluating builder credibility.
MahaRERA Landmark Actions
Understanding what MahaRERA has done in the past helps you gauge the authority's effectiveness:
MahaRERA has suspended over 5,000 projects for missing deadlines and non-compliance with filing requirements. This represents roughly 12% of all registered projects, indicating that the authority takes enforcement seriously.
The authority has also issued orders requiring builders to pay interest to buyers for delayed possession, ordered full refunds in cases of severe delays, and imposed penalties on developers advertising without registration.
For homebuyers, this active enforcement is good news: it means the RERA mechanism works when used correctly. But it also means you should check whether any adverse orders have been passed against your target builder or project before investing.
Filing a Complaint with MahaRERA
If you face issues with a RERA-registered project, you can file a complaint through the MahaRERA portal:
- Step 1: Register on the MahaRERA portal with your personal details
- Step 2: Navigate to the complaint section and select the type of complaint
- Step 3: Provide the project's RERA registration number and your agreement details
- Step 4: Upload supporting documents (agreement, payment receipts, correspondence)
- Step 5: Pay the complaint filing fee (currently Rs 5,000 for homebuyers)
- Step 6: Track your complaint status through the portal
MahaRERA aims to resolve complaints within 60 days, though complex cases may take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many projects are registered with MahaRERA? A: MahaRERA has over 40,000 registered projects, making it the largest state RERA registry in India. Our database covers the vast majority of these on the Maharashtra page.
Q: Is MahaRERA the same as RERA? A: RERA is the central law (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act, 2016). MahaRERA is Maharashtra's state-level authority that implements this law. Each state has its own RERA body.
Q: Can NRIs file complaints with MahaRERA? A: Yes. NRIs who have invested in Maharashtra real estate can file complaints through the MahaRERA portal. The process is entirely online.
Q: What is the penalty for a builder selling without RERA registration? A: A developer can be penalised up to 10% of the estimated project cost for selling without registration. They can also face imprisonment of up to three years.
Q: How do I know if a MahaRERA project has been suspended? A: Suspended projects are listed on the MahaRERA portal. You can also check the project status on RERAScore search -- projects with revoked or suspended registrations will reflect this in their trust scores.