RERA advertising rules every developer should know

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) changed how projects can be marketed in India. For marketing teams, a few sections matter most. Here is what they say, in plain language.

1. No advertising before registration

Under Section 3, a promoter cannot advertise, market, book, sell or offer for sale any plot, apartment or building in a project that needs registration until it is registered with the state RERA authority. That includes teaser campaigns and pre-launch activity that invites bookings.

2. Show the registration number and the authority’s website

Section 11(2) requires every advertisement or prospectus to prominently mention the website of the RERA authority where the project’s details are available, along with the project’s registration number. Put both on hoardings, print, digital ads, landing pages and brochures, in a size people can actually read.

3. Keep every claim accurate

Section 12 makes the promoter liable if a buyer makes a payment based on incorrect or false information in an advertisement, prospectus or model apartment and suffers a loss. The buyer can withdraw and seek a refund with interest and compensation. Be careful with:

• Possession dates and construction timelines.
• Amenities, specifications and distances to landmarks.
• Renders and images: label them clearly as artist’s impressions.
• Offers, prices and “limited period” claims.

4. Agents need registration too

Under Section 9, real estate agents must register with the authority before they facilitate a sale in a registered project. If channel partners run their own ads, make sure they carry the correct project details and their own agent registration where required.

5. Check your state’s latest orders

States add their own rules and directions on top of the Act. MahaRERA, for example, has required QR codes on project advertisements since 2023. For projects in Gurugram and elsewhere in Haryana, check the latest orders from H-RERA before a campaign goes live.

What happens if you get it wrong

Advertising or selling without registration can attract a penalty of up to 10% of the estimated project cost under Section 59, and continued non-compliance can lead to imprisonment of up to three years, a further fine, or both. Other contraventions by a promoter can attract a penalty of up to 5% of the estimated project cost under Section 61.

Build compliance into the creative process, not the final approval.

A checklist for every ad

• RERA registration number and authority website, clearly visible.
• “Artist’s impression” on every render.
• Possession dates and specs matching the registered details.
• Agent registration on channel partner creatives.
• Legal review before anything goes live.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Always check the Act, your state’s rules and orders, and consult your legal team.

We build these checks into every launch campaign we run for developers.