Filing a RERA Complaint in Mumbai: A Step-by-Step Guide for Homebuyers
If your builder has delayed possession, changed the plan without consent, or failed to deliver what was promised, MahaRERA gives you a formal route to a remedy. Here's how the process actually works.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 was introduced to bring accountability to a sector where homebuyers had very little recourse. In Maharashtra, complaints are filed before MahaRERA, and for most buyers, the two most common grounds are possession delay and non-refund of amounts paid after a cancellation.
Who can file a RERA complaint?
Any allottee — a homebuyer who has booked or purchased a unit in a registered project — can file a complaint. In some circumstances, associations of allottees can file jointly, which is often more effective when an entire project is affected by the same delay.
What you can claim
Depending on the facts, a RERA complaint can seek possession with a fixed timeline, interest for the period of delay, refund of the amount paid along with interest if you no longer want the unit, or compensation for other losses caused by the promoter's default.
Documents you'll typically need
The strength of a RERA complaint usually comes down to documentation: the allotment letter or agreement for sale, proof of payments made, correspondence with the builder about delays, and the project's RERA registration details, which are public and can be checked on the MahaRERA website before you even file.
The filing process, in outline
A complaint is filed online with MahaRERA along with the prescribed fee. Once admitted, the matter is listed for hearing before the Authority, both sides present their case, and an order is passed — this can take anywhere from a few months to longer, depending on the complexity and how contested the matter is.
Where a lawyer actually helps
Many homebuyers file complaints on their own, but drafting matters — a complaint that doesn't clearly establish the delay, the promoter's obligations, and the specific relief sought can weaken an otherwise strong case. Representation also helps when the builder raises technical objections, or when the matter needs to be pursued in appeal before the Maharashtra Real Estate Appellate Tribunal.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a time limit to file a RERA complaint?
There's no strict limitation period under RERA itself for possession-delay claims, but acting sooner strengthens your position and avoids arguments around delay in approaching the Authority.
Can I file if my project isn't registered with RERA?
Unregistered projects raise separate issues — including potential penalties for the promoter — and are best discussed directly, since the remedy available differs from a standard possession-delay complaint.