No. Generally, a builder cannot legally advertise, market, book, sell, or invite buyers to purchase a RERA-covered real estate project before obtaining RERA registration. Section 3(1) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 specifically requires prior registration before such promotional or sales activities.
However, there are certain exemptions, such as projects where the land area does not exceed 500 square metres or the number of apartments does not exceed 8, subject to applicable state rules and other conditions.
If a builder advertises an eligible project without registration, the regulatory authority can take action, and the promoter may face a penalty of up to 10% of the estimated project cost for failure to register where registration is required.
For buyers: Before paying a booking amount or making any financial commitment, check the project's RERA registration number and verify it on the relevant state RERA website. This is especially important when a builder promotes a project as a “pre-launch” or “early booking” opportunity.
