3.2 Navigating MahaRERA Online Portal & Public Disclosures

3.2 Navigating MahaRERA Online Portal & Public Disclosures

A central pillar of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 is transparency through mandatory public disclosures. Under Section 34(m) and Section 77 of the Act, MahaRERA established an integrated web portal (maharera.maharashtra.gov.in). This digital platform serves as the single source of truth for real estate project details, promoter track records, statutory audit certificates, litigations, and registered agent credentials across Maharashtra.

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Structure of the MahaRERA Web Portal

The web portal is divided into public access features and restricted user dashboards:

1. Public Access Interface

Any homebuyer, agent, investor, or legal researcher can access public disclosures without creating a login account. Features include:

• Project Search: Search registered real estate projects by Registration Number (e.g., P518000XXXXX), Project Name, Developer/Promoter Name, District, or Pincode.
• Agent Search: Search registered agents by Agent Registration Number, Name, or Location to verify licensing status and Certificate of Competency.
• Cause Lists & Orders Archive: Access daily hearing schedules, interim orders, final rulings, and execution orders issued by MahaRERA benches.
• Lapsed & Revoked Projects List: Public warnings listing projects whose registration has expired or been revoked due to non-compliance.

2. Registered User Dashboards

Secured portals requiring user ID, password, and Two-Factor Authentication (OTP):

• Promoter Dashboard: Used for project registration, quarterly progress updates (QPRs), statutory certificate uploads, and registration extension requests.
• Agent Dashboard: Used for updating professional details, linking with registered projects, uploading half-yearly progress returns, and downloading registration certificates.
• Allottee Dashboard: Used for submitting formal complaints under Section 31, tracking case status, and participating in conciliation proceedings.

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Mandatory Statutory Certificates on the Portal (Forms 1 to 5)

To ensure financial discipline and structural accountability, promoters are legally required to upload statutory certificates issued by qualified professionals. Agents must understand these forms to advise clients accurately.

Form 1: Architect's Certificate

• Issuer: Registered Architect (Council of Architecture).
• Purpose: Certifies the physical percentage of work completed for each building, wing, or phase of the project.
• Key Details: Details structural completion of basements, podiums, slabs, brickwork, plastering, plumbing, and internal/external finishes against approved building plans.

Form 2: Engineer's Certificate

• Issuer: Professional Structural/Civil Engineer.
• Purpose: Certifies the structural safety, quality of construction materials used, and estimated remaining cost to complete the project.
• Key Details: Verifies that structural specifications comply with Indian Building Codes and local municipal approvals.

Form 2A: Annual Quality Audit Report

• Issuer: Independent Engineer or Architect.
• Purpose: Introduced by MahaRERA to certify the structural quality, workmanship, and safety standards of ongoing project construction annually.

Form 3: Chartered Accountant's Certificate (Escrow Withdrawal)

• Issuer: Practicing Chartered Accountant (ICA-registered).
• Purpose: Certifies the financial eligibility of the promoter to withdraw funds from the designated 70% separate escrow bank account.
• Calculation Formula:

$\text{Max Withdrawal Allowed} = \text{Total Escrow Deposits} \times \left( \frac{\text{Land Cost Incurred} + \text{Construction Cost Incurred}}{\text{Total Estimated Land \& Construction Cost}} \right)$

• Significance: Ensures that developers cannot withdraw money for uncompleted work or divert funds to other projects.

Form 4: Architect's Certificate on Project Completion

• Issuer: Registered Architect.
• Purpose: Issued upon completing a project or phase, certifying that all buildings, amenities, and common areas have been constructed according to sanctioned plans and Occupancy Certificate (OC) standards.

Form 5: CA's Annual Statement of Accounts

• Issuer: Independent Practicing Chartered Accountant.
• Purpose: Annual audit verifying that 70% of total receivables from allottees were correctly deposited into the project escrow account and utilized exclusively for land and construction costs.
• Mandatory Deadline: Must be uploaded on the portal by September 30th every year for the preceding financial year.

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Agent Workflow on the Portal

Registered real estate agents have specific operational workflows within their portal accounts:

1. Linking Agent Registration to Projects

Under RERA rules, an agent cannot solicit sales for a project unless authorized by the developer and linked on the MahaRERA portal:

1. Agent logs into the Agent Dashboard.
2. Navigates to "Project Association" and inputs the Project MahaRERA Registration Number.
3. Promoter receives an automated alert to confirm the appointment.
4. Once accepted, the agent's name appears on the public disclosure page of that project as an authorized real estate agent.

2. QR Code Generation & Verification

Under MahaRERA Order No. 46/2023 (extended to agents by Order No. 46B/2023), every project registered on MahaRERA receives a standalone QR Code containing an encoded link to its disclosure page. Agents must:

• Download the official vector QR code file from the portal.
• Include the QR code on all physical hoardings, newspaper advertisements, digital banners, and PDF brochures.
• Verify that scanning the QR code via smartphone opens the verified project page showing Form 1-5 certificates, approved layout plans, and legal title reports.

3. Verification of Litigations & Revocation Lists

Before recommending a property to a homebuyer, an ethical agent must conduct due diligence on the portal:

• Check the "Legal Complaints & Orders" tab to review active disputes against the developer.
• Verify whether the project completion date registered on the portal matches the date promised in marketing brochures.
• Ensure the project is not listed under the "Lapsed Projects" or "Revoked Registrations" section.

Statutory Forms Comparison Matrix

The following table outlines the core certificates uploaded on the MahaRERA web portal, their issuers, purposes, and submission timelines.