In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency and safeguarding homebuyer interests, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has issued a circular mandating the prominent display of project registration number, QR codes, and MahaRERA’s official website in all real estate advertisements. This directive has come into effect immediately following a circular dated April 8, 2025.
Equal or Larger Font Than Contact Details Mandatory
Under the new rules, developers must display the MahaRERA registration number, project-specific QR code, and the official MahaRERA website in a font size that is equal to or larger than the font used for the project’s contact details. Additionally, this regulatory information must be placed in the top right quadrant of the advertisement and must be in clear, contrasting colours to ensure legibility.
Rs. 50,000 Penalty for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with this new regulation will attract a penalty of up to ₹50,000. If the violation continues beyond 10 days after the penalty is imposed, further legal action will be initiated as per provisions under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. MahaRERA has made it clear that any delay in compliance will be treated as a continuous violation of the instructions.
Need for Visibility and Consumer Awareness
MahaRERA has observed that in many advertisements, critical regulatory information is either not displayed prominently or is printed in very small fonts and light colours. This defeats the objective of consumer empowerment, as homebuyers are unable to easily verify whether a project is MahaRERA registered. The inclusion of a QR code is especially important as it allows potential buyers to access detailed project information instantly.
Applies Across All Advertising Mediums
The new mandate will be applicable to all forms of advertising, including:
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Newspapers
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Leaflets and brochures
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Electronic media (TV, radio)
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Banners and hoardings
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Social media platforms
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Messaging apps like WhatsApp
MahaRERA’s Call for Cooperation
Emphasizing the importance of transparency and the public interest, MahaRERA has urged all developers to strictly follow the revised advertising guidelines. These measures are expected to significantly improve transparency in real estate transactions and enable homebuyers to make more informed decisions.
