What TNRERA Actually Does for Buyers
RERA — the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, implemented in Tamil Nadu by TNRERA — is a buyer-protection law. It doesn't change title law or approval requirements. It adds regulatory oversight and recourse mechanisms on top of them.
**TNRERA's key protections:**
1. **Project registration:** Developers must register with TNRERA before advertising or selling. Registration requires submission of project details, approvals, financial plans, and promoter credentials.
2. **Dedicated bank account:** 70% of buyer advances must be kept in a separate bank account, usable only for project-related expenses. This prevents fund diversion — the #1 developer failure mode.
3. **Quarterly progress updates:** Registered developers must submit progress reports quarterly. Buyers can view project status at tnrera.tn.gov.in.
4. **Delivery commitment:** RERA registration includes a stated possession date. Missing this date triggers compensation provisions.
5. **Complaint mechanism:** Buyers can file complaints with TNRERA Adjudicating Officer for disputes, delays, or misrepresentation.
How to File a TNRERA Complaint
1. Visit tnrera.tn.gov.in → Complaint Registration 2. Upload: booking documents, payment receipts, developer communications, project registration details 3. Pay complaint fee (₹1,000–5,000 depending on complaint amount) 4. Hear in 60 days (typically): TNRERA can order refund + interest, compensation, or specific performance
What RERA Cannot Do
RERA cannot: change your title or create property rights, override a court attachment, force a developer who is bankrupt to complete a project, or penalise unapproved (non-RERA) developers under RERA (they're handled by DTCP enforcement separately).
Non-RERA Projects: Different Recourse
If you bought in a DTCP-approved layout that isn't RERA-registered (small layouts below the threshold): complaints go to the DTCP district office for infrastructure non-delivery, or to civil court for contractual disputes.
Our Practice
We only represent developers with either TNRERA registration or verifiably clean DTCP approval histories. We show buyers the TNRERA registration or DTCP approval before any advance is accepted.