The MahaRERA Checklist: 5 Things to Verify Before Booking a Pune Flat

Before you book a flat, use this MahaRERA checklist to verify the builder’s claims. Buying a flat is likely the largest financial decision you will ever make, yet thousands of homebuyers in Pune still rely entirely on glossy brochures and verbal promises from sales agents.

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) exists to stop this. It gives you a powerful, public window into every project. Before you hand over a single rupee as a booking amount, spend 20 minutes on the official portal and do these five checks yourself.

Official Portal: maharera.maharashtra.gov.in

Pro Tip before you start: Always search using the exact MahaRERA registration number (e.g., P517000xxxxx), not just the marketing name. A single township often has different registration numbers for each phase and tower.

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1. MahaRERA Checklist: Confirm the Project Status is “Registered” and Active

Why it matters: Only registered projects can be legally sold. If the project has lapsed, been revoked, or is under abeyance, you lose legal protection if things go wrong.

How to check:

• Go to the portal and use the “Registered Projects” search.
• Enter the registration number or builder’s name.
• Look at the Status. It must say Registered or Renewed.
• Cross-check that the promoter’s name matches the entity you are writing the cheque to.
• Red Flag: If the builder’s advertisement has a QR code, scan it. It must lead to the official MahaRERA page. If it doesn’t, walk away.

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2. Verify the Exact Carpet Area (Ignore the “Super Built-up”)

Why it matters: Under RERA, the only legal metric for pricing is Carpet Area (the net usable floor area). Builders often quote “super built-up” or “saleable” area to make the flat sound larger and the price per square foot sound cheaper.

How to check:

• Open the project details on the portal and find the specific configuration (e.g., 2 BHK Type A).
• Note the exact RERA-declared carpet area.
• Compare it to the draft cost sheet and the Agreement for Sale.
• The Rule: Carpet area includes internal partition walls but excludes external walls, balconies, and terraces. The final area after construction can only vary by ±3%. If it’s smaller, the builder must refund you with interest.

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3. Check the RERA-Committed Possession Date

Why it matters: The date filed on MahaRERA is a legal commitment. If the builder misses this date, you are entitled to interest or a refund under Section 18 of the RERA Act. Sales agents often quote “internal targets” that are earlier than the official date.

How to check:

• Look for “Proposed Date of Completion” or “Revised Completion Date.”
• Check the Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR) uploaded on the portal. These show the physical and financial progress. If the project is 6 months from possession but the QPR shows only 40% work done, prepare for a delay.

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4. Examine Legal Title, Approvals, and Encumbrances

Why it matters: You need to know the builder actually owns the land and has the legal right to build on it. You also need to know if the land is mortgaged.

How to check:

• Go to the “Documents” section of the project page.
• Download the Legal Title Report and the Details of Encumbrances.
• Look for the Commencement Certificate (CC) and Sanctioned Building Plans.
• If these documents are missing or incomplete on the portal, it is a major warning sign. (For high-value purchases, always have your own lawyer independently verify the title chain).

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5. Review Litigation Status and Complaints

Why it matters: Past behavior predicts future problems. If the builder is fighting land disputes or drowning in consumer complaints, your investment is at risk.

How to check:

• Look at the “Litigation” section on the project page.
• Go to the portal’s “Homebuyers Corner” and search for orders/judgments against the builder’s name.
• Are there multiple unresolved complaints from previous phases? Is the promoter appealing orders in the Maharashtra Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (MREAT)? A few resolved issues are normal; active litigation is a red flag.

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🚨MahaRERA Checklist : The Pre-Booking Golden Rule

Never pay more than 10% of the flat’s cost as a booking advance before a registered Agreement for Sale is presented to you.

MahaRERA’s public disclosures exist so you can make an informed choice. Do not rely solely on the sales team. The portal is free, it doesn’t require a login, and it can save you years of stress.

If the data on the portal contradicts what the salesperson is telling you, pause, ask for written clarification, and consult a property lawyer.

Always verify the latest details on the official MahaRERA portal before proceeding.

Also read: –pune-property-market-october-2026