How to Verify a Builder's RERA Registration and Track Record Before Booking
Booking an under-construction flat means trusting a builder to deliver, months or years from now, on promises made today. RERA registration is a baseline check, not the whole picture — a project can be technically registered while the builder's actual delivery history tells a very different story.
Step 1: Verify the project's TNRERA registration
Every project above the specified size threshold must be registered with TNRERA before it can be marketed or sold. The registration number should be quoted in all the builder's advertising and agreements — search it directly on the TNRERA website to confirm it's genuine, matches the exact project, and check the promised possession date filed there.
Step 2: Look up the builder's other registered projects
TNRERA's portal lets you see all projects registered under a given promoter/builder entity — this is where you check delivery history. Compare the ORIGINAL promised possession date on their past projects against when those projects actually delivered (or their current status, if still delayed).
Step 3: Visit a completed past project, not just the sales office
Sales offices and show flats are, understandably, the builder's best foot forward. Visiting one of their actually-completed, occupied projects tells you much more — talk to residents about construction quality, how closely the finished product matched what was promised, and how the builder handled post-handover issues.
Step 4: Check for litigation or regulatory complaints
TNRERA's portal also surfaces complaints filed against registered projects — a project with an unusually high number of unresolved buyer complaints is a meaningful signal worth investigating before booking.
Step 5: Understand the payment schedule tied to construction stage
RERA mandates construction-linked payment plans for registered projects — meaning you pay in instalments tied to actual construction milestones, not an arbitrary schedule. Confirm your specific payment plan actually follows this structure rather than front-loading payments ahead of real progress.
The overall principle
RERA registration confirms the project meets a regulatory minimum — it doesn't guarantee the builder is good at their job. Combine the registration check with an honest look at past delivery performance before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every apartment project in Chennai required to register with TNRERA?
Projects above the specified size/unit threshold must register before being marketed or sold — smaller projects below that threshold may fall outside the mandatory requirement, so it's worth confirming which category a given project falls into.
Does TNRERA registration guarantee the builder will deliver on time?
No — registration confirms regulatory compliance and discloses the promised timeline, but doesn't guarantee delivery. Checking the builder's actual track record on past projects is a separate, essential step.
How can I see a builder's past project delivery history?
TNRERA's portal lists all projects registered under a promoter entity, including original promised possession dates you can compare against actual delivery.
Should payments for an under-construction flat follow a fixed schedule or construction progress?
RERA mandates construction-linked payment plans for registered projects — your instalments should be tied to actual construction milestones, not an arbitrary calendar schedule.
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