1. Right to Information and Transparency
Before a project can be advertised, marketed or sold, the promoter must register it with the state RERA. Registration requires disclosure of project details such as the sanctioned plan, layout, land status, number and type of units, stage-wise timelines and the proposed completion date. As a buyer you are entitled to see this information, and the RERA portal publishes much of it for public viewing.
Section 11 also requires promoters to keep project information updated, including quarterly progress updates, and Section 12 makes the promoter responsible for incorrect or false information in advertisements or prospectuses. If you booked a flat relying on a misleading claim, you can seek remedies under the Act.
2. Right to Financial Safeguards
The Act restricts how a promoter may handle your money. Under Section 13, a promoter cannot accept more than 10 percent of the cost of the flat as an advance or application fee without first entering into a registered agreement for sale. This is why paying large sums on the strength of a verbal promise or an unregistered letter is risky.
Section 4 also requires promoters to deposit 70 percent of the amounts collected from buyers into a separate project bank account, to be used only for construction and land costs of that project. This is intended to stop money from one project being diverted to another.
3. Right to Accurate Area and a Fair Agreement
Under the Act, flats must be sold on the basis of carpet area, which is the net usable floor area within the walls, not on the vaguer super built-up area. Insist that the agreement for sale states the carpet area clearly, along with the price, payment schedule, possession date and the specifications promised.
The agreement should follow the format prescribed by the state rules. A promoter cannot unilaterally change the sanctioned plans or make major alterations to your unit without your written consent, apart from minor changes permitted by the Act.
4. Remedies for Delay and Defects
If the promoter fails to hand over possession by the date in the agreement, Section 18 gives you a choice. You may withdraw from the project and claim a refund of the amount paid with interest and compensation, or you may stay in the project and receive interest for every month of delay until possession is handed over. The interest rate is set by the state rules.
Section 14(3) addresses defects. If a structural defect or any defect in workmanship, quality or provision of services appears within five years of possession, the promoter must rectify it within thirty days of being notified, at no cost to you. If they fail, you can claim compensation.
5. Where to Complain
Complaints against promoters can be filed with the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) under Section 31, and claims for refund, interest or compensation are decided by the Adjudicating Officer. Appeals lie to the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal. Keep copies of your agreement, payment receipts, demand letters and all correspondence, as these form the core of any complaint.
You also have a right to the formation of a resident association and to receive the common areas, along with the required documents, once the project is complete. These rights are recorded in Section 17 and Section 19 of the Act.
✅ Key Takeaways
🔗 Official Portal: rera.karnataka.gov.in
📅 Published: 2 October 2026 | This blog is a public awareness initiative. Verify all information with official sources before making financial decisions.
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