Every apartment and plotted project above a certain size in Tamil Nadu must be registered with the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) before it's advertised or sold. The RERA number printed on a brochure is your entry point to a public record of the project: its approvals, its progress and the developer's commitments.
Checking it takes about five minutes. Here's how.
Which projects must be registered?
Under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, a project must be registered if the land exceeds 500 square metres or it has more than eight units. This covers most apartment projects and plotted layouts in Chennai. Real estate agents must register too. (Jumbo Realty's registration is TN/Agent/069.)
Step by step: checking a project on the TNRERA portal
- Step 1: Go to the official portal, rera.tn.gov.in. Avoid look-alike sites.
- Step 2: Open the Registration menu, then Projects, then Registered Projects.
- Step 3: Search by the RERA number from the brochure, or by project or promoter name.
- Step 4: Open the project record and check that the name, promoter, location and survey numbers match what you've been shown.
- Step 5: Note the registration validity date. It should cover the promised completion date.
What to look for on the project page
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Approved plans and layout | Confirms what was sanctioned, so you can compare with the brochure |
| Completion date | The date the developer committed to; delays have consequences under RERA |
| Quarterly progress updates | Shows whether construction is moving as promised |
| Promoter details and past projects | Helps you judge the developer's track record |
| Litigation or complaints, if shown | Flags disputes before you commit |
If the brochure's RERA number doesn't match the project name or location on the portal, stop and ask why before paying anything.
Protections RERA gives buyers
- Advance cap: a developer can't take more than 10% of the price before a registered agreement for sale is signed.
- Separate account: 70% of buyer payments must go into a separate account used only for that project's land and construction.
- Carpet area pricing: flats are sold on carpet area, which is clearly defined.
- Defect liability: structural defects reported within five years of possession must be fixed by the developer at no cost.
- Complaints: buyers can file complaints with TNRERA for delays or breaches.
What RERA doesn't do
RERA registration doesn't certify the land title or guarantee the project will be delivered on time. You still need a title check by your lawyer, and you should still look at the developer's record on earlier projects.
Every project on our properties page lists its RERA number so you can check it yourself. Before registration day, use our stamp duty guide to plan the government charges.