By Staff Reporter
In a significant move to uphold transparency and empower homebuyers, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRera) has levied a combined fine of Rs 2 lakh on six builders in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for failing to include QR codes in their project advertisements.
A total of 107 cases were identified where developers neglected to print or display QR codes in advertisements. Show-cause notices were issued to 74 developers, leading to the regulatory body hearing 25 cases related to projects in MMR. Out of these, fines were imposed in six cases.
The requirement to print QR codes in all advertisements for housing projects became mandatory as of August 1, as per MahaRera regulations. The move is aimed at providing potential homebuyers easy access to essential project details and registration information.
In instances where developers claimed unawareness or disassociation from the advertisements in question, MahaRera has advised them to file cases with the cybercrime cell, emphasizing the seriousness of compliance.
MahaRera officials have been actively monitoring advertisements across newspapers, online platforms, and social media, noting a significant number of advertisements lacking QR codes, particularly on digital platforms.
Advocate Avinash Pawar commended MahaRera’s initiative, stating that penalizing builders for non-compliance is a positive step. However, he urged MahaRera to strengthen its infrastructure to ensure the effective implementation of rules and the recovery of previously imposed penalties.
This latest action by MahaRera reinforces its commitment to ensuring transparency in the real estate sector and protecting the interests of homebuyers. The regulatory body has also urged homebuyers to exercise caution, emphasizing the importance of checking project details on the MahaRera website, which includes comprehensive information for informed decision-making.