Understanding TNRERA: Homebuyer Rights in Tamil Nadu
What is TNRERA?
TNRERA is the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority, the State body established under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 (RERA). The Act was enacted to bring transparency and accountability to the real estate sector and to protect the interests of homebuyers, who previously had limited recourse against project delays and misrepresentation.
For buyers in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu, TNRERA provides a dedicated forum to register complaints against promoters and to seek defined remedies.
Which projects must be registered?
Most real estate projects above a defined size must be registered with TNRERA before they can be advertised, marketed or sold. As a general rule:
- Projects on land exceeding 500 square metres, or with more than eight apartments, require registration;
- Real estate agents dealing in such projects must also register;
- Registered projects are listed on the TNRERA website with their approved plans, timelines and promoter details.
Before booking, a buyer should confirm the project's TNRERA registration number and review the disclosures.
What rights does a homebuyer have?
RERA gives buyers several enforceable rights:
- Accurate information: access to sanctioned plans, layout, the stage of completion and the registration details.
- Sale on carpet area: apartments must be sold on the basis of carpet area, not loosely defined "super built-up" area.
- Timely possession: the promoter must hand over possession by the date committed in the agreement.
- Defect liability: structural and quality defects notified within the statutory period (generally five years) must be rectified by the promoter.
- Protection of payments: a defined portion of buyer payments must be kept in a separate account for project construction.
What can a buyer do if the project is delayed?
If the promoter fails to deliver possession on time, the buyer may choose to continue with the project and claim interest for the period of delay, or, in appropriate cases, withdraw from the project and seek a refund with interest and compensation. The remedy is invoked by filing a complaint before TNRERA.
The complaint process broadly involves:
- Filing a complaint with the prescribed details and fee before TNRERA;
- A hearing before the Authority or the adjudicating officer;
- An order, which may direct refund, interest, compensation or completion;
- An appeal to the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal if a party is aggrieved.
How does RERA interact with other remedies?
RERA does not necessarily exclude other forums. Depending on the facts, a buyer may also have remedies under consumer protection law. A buyer should take advice on which forum best suits the relief sought, as the choice can affect timelines and the nature of compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions