RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) is the law that protects plot buyers in India. Since 2017, all residential plot projects with more than 8 units or covering more than 500 sq. metres of land must be registered with the state RERA authority before launch. Verifying RERA registration is the single most important step before booking any plot in India. This guide shows you exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Ask for the RERA Registration Number
Before any payment or booking, ask the developer or agent for the RERA registration number of the specific project. A legitimate RERA-registered project will have a number in the format specific to each state (e.g., Gujarat RERA numbers begin with "PR" for projects). If a developer is unable to provide a RERA number, do not proceed.
Step 2: Verify on the State RERA Portal
Each state in India has its own RERA portal. Use the correct portal for the state where the plot is located:
- Gujarat (non-Dholera RERA projects): gujrera.gov.in — Note: Dholera Rajpath plots are NA · NOC · Title Clear, not RERA registered
- Uttar Pradesh (Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Varanasi, Bareilly, Muzaffarnagar): up.rera.gov.in
- Rajasthan (Neemrana): rera.rajasthan.gov.in
- Haryana (Kharkhoda, Rohtak): haryanarera.gov.in
- Uttarakhand (Haridwar, Rudrapur): ukrera.uk.gov.in
Step 3: What to Check on the RERA Dashboard
Once you find the project on the RERA portal, verify the following:
- Project name and developer name: Confirm these match exactly what the seller told you
- Sanctioned layout plan: Download and verify the approved layout — your specific plot number should be visible
- Possession date declared: Check the original possession date and whether any extension has been filed
- Number of units: Confirm the total units match what the developer claims
- Quarterly progress reports: Most RERA portals require developers to file quarterly construction progress updates — read these to verify actual progress
- Litigation history: Some RERA portals show complaints filed against the project — check for any ongoing disputes
Step 4: Verify the Layout Approval
RERA registration alone is not always sufficient. For plots specifically, also verify:
- NA (Non-Agricultural) conversion: In most states, agricultural land must be converted to non-agricultural use before a residential plot layout is approved. Ask for the NA conversion order.
- Local development authority approval: In addition to RERA, the layout must be approved by the relevant local authority — DSIRDA for Dholera, MVDA for Vrindavan, HRDA for Haridwar, local development authority for each other city
- Title search report: A title search by a licensed lawyer confirms that the land is free of encumbrances, mortgages, or disputed ownership
Step 5: Verify Every 6 Months
RERA registration can change over the life of a project. Quarterly compliance reports must be filed; if they go unfiled, the project status changes. After booking, revisit the RERA portal every 6 months (or before making each instalment payment) to confirm the project remains compliant and the developer has not been penalised or barred.
What Happens If a RERA Developer Delays Possession?
Under RERA, if a developer delays possession beyond the declared date without buyer consent, the buyer is entitled to interest compensation for every day of delay — at the RBI-notified rate (currently SBI MCLR + 2%). This applies to plotted developments just as it does to apartments. Keep all payment receipts, the registered sale agreement, and your RERA portal screenshots as evidence.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Developer cannot provide RERA number or delays sharing it
- Project name on the RERA portal differs slightly from what the seller claims
- Possession date on RERA portal is significantly later than what the seller verbally promised
- No quarterly progress reports filed in the last 6 months
- Layout plan on RERA portal shows fewer plots than what is being sold
- Developer asks for payment before registered Sale Agreement is executed
At SmartCityPlots, every project listed has been verified by Saurabh personally — RERA documents, layout approvals, and title reports are shared before any payment is made. If you have received an offer for a plot and want a second opinion on its legal status, contact Saurabh directly — this verification service is free.
