Buying a home in Hyderabad is a major financial commitment, particularly when purchasing an apartment or villa in an under-construction project. Homebuyers need to evaluate more than the property’s location and price. They also need to understand the developer’s obligations, project approvals, construction progress, possession commitments and financial disclosures.
The Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG RERA) provides an important regulatory framework for buyers in Hyderabad and across Telangana. Established under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, TG RERA regulates applicable real estate projects and agents, provides project information to the public and offers a mechanism for eligible complaints against promoters and agents. The authority’s website currently lists more than 11,000 registered projects and provides facilities for checking projects, filing complaints and accessing orders.
Understanding how TG RERA works can help Hyderabad homebuyers conduct better due diligence before purchasing a property.
What Is Telangana RERA?
Telangana RERA is the state’s implementation of the central Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 along with the Telangana Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017 and subsequent regulations.
The central RERA framework aims to promote transparency in real estate transactions, protect consumers and provide mechanisms for dispute resolution.
Telangana has its own rules and regulatory procedures. The official TG RERA website currently lists the Telangana RERA Rules, 2017, General Regulations, 2023 and subsequent government notifications and circulars.
For a Hyderabad buyer, this means that project-specific information and regulatory records can be checked through the Telangana RERA system.
1. Buyers Can Verify Registered Projects
One of the most practical protections is access to information about registered projects.
TG RERA provides online access to details of registered real estate projects. Buyers can use the authority’s website to search for project information before making a purchase.
Before booking an apartment, buyers should check:
- Project registration number
- Promoter’s name
- Project name
- Location
- Declared completion date
- Number of units
- Approved plans and project details
- Construction status
- Available disclosures
- Complaints and orders, where available
This allows buyers to compare what a developer or sales representative is promising with information submitted to the regulator.
However, RERA registration should not be treated as a substitute for independent title and legal verification.
2. Project Information Improves Transparency
Promoters of applicable projects must submit prescribed information and documents to the regulatory authority.
The Telangana RERA Rules require promoters to furnish information and documents for project registration in addition to those required under the central Act. The rules cover information concerning the project and promoter and other prescribed documentation.
For buyers, these disclosures can provide useful information about the project before committing substantial money.
A buyer should compare the advertised apartment’s carpet area, project configuration, amenities, number of buildings and other important details with the information available through TG RERA.
3. Protection Against Collecting More Than 10% Without an Agreement
One important RERA protection concerns advance payments.
Section 13 of the central RERA Act prevents a promoter from accepting more than 10% of the cost of an apartment, plot or building as an advance or application fee without first entering into a written agreement for sale and registering that agreement as required by law. TG RERA’s own FAQ confirms that promoters cannot take more than 10% without the registered agreement for sale.
This is particularly relevant when a buyer is asked to make a large payment at the booking stage.
A Hyderabad homebuyer should therefore carefully distinguish between a small booking amount and a substantial advance that crosses the statutory threshold.
4. 70% of Certain Collections Must Be Kept in a Separate Account
Another important financial safeguard under RERA concerns project funds.
Section 4 of the central Act requires the promoter to deposit 70% of the amounts realised from allottees for a real estate project into a separate account in a scheduled bank. The funds are intended for land and construction costs and withdrawals are linked to the percentage of project completion, subject to the statutory certification mechanism.
TG RERA’s official material reiterates this requirement. It states that 70% of amounts realised from allottees must be deposited in a separate project account and that withdrawals are to be made in proportion to project completion, with certification by an engineer, architect and chartered accountant.
TG RERA has also issued recent directions concerning changes to a project’s separate bank account. A July 2025 circular stated that changing or transferring the separate account after project registration requires prior approval of the Authority.
These measures are designed to improve financial discipline around project funds.
5. Protection Against Project Delays
Project delays are one of the major concerns for homebuyers purchasing under-construction properties.
Section 18 of RERA provides remedies when a promoter fails to complete or is unable to give possession in accordance with the agreement for sale by the specified date.
If the allottee chooses to withdraw in the circumstances covered by the section, the promoter is liable to return the amount received, along with applicable interest and compensation as provided by law. If the allottee does not withdraw, the promoter is required to pay interest for every month of delay until possession, at the prescribed rate.
This provision can be particularly important for buyers in rapidly developing Hyderabad corridors where projects may have long construction timelines.
The exact remedy depends on the agreement, facts of the case, applicable rules and the order of the competent authority.
6. Buyers Have Rights to Project Information
RERA gives allottees rights to obtain important information concerning the project.
Section 19 provides rights relating to sanctioned plans, layout plans and specifications and other project-related information prescribed under the Act. It also addresses the allottee’s rights concerning possession and necessary documents and plans.
This can help buyers identify discrepancies between what was originally promised and what is being constructed.
For example, if a project was marketed with particular amenities or specifications, buyers should check whether the relevant information appears in the sanctioned plans, agreement and official project disclosures.
7. Changes to Sanctioned Plans Are Regulated
A buyer generally purchases an apartment based on the sanctioned plan and specifications represented by the promoter.
RERA contains requirements concerning adherence to sanctioned plans and project specifications. Section 14 regulates alterations to sanctioned plans and provides protections to allottees against certain changes being made without the required consent.
This is significant because a major change in the building configuration, common areas or project layout can materially affect a buyer’s expectations.
Buyers should therefore retain copies of the brochure, sanctioned plans, specifications and agreement for sale.
8. Buyers Can File Complaints With TG RERA
If a promoter or agent violates the RERA Act, Telangana rules or applicable regulations, an aggrieved person can file a complaint with TG RERA.
The Authority’s official FAQ states that complaints can be filed under Section 31 of the Act and Rules 34 and 35 of the Telangana RERA Rules. The online complaint requires details such as the project’s registration number, complainant and respondent information, facts of the case, relief sought and supporting documents.
TG RERA’s citizen guidelines also state that an aggrieved person can file a complaint concerning violations or contraventions relating to a registered real estate project.
This gives buyers a formal regulatory route instead of relying solely on negotiations with the developer.
9. TG RERA Publishes Orders and Defaulter Information
Another useful feature for buyers is access to regulatory proceedings.
TG RERA publishes authority orders and maintains information concerning projects and agents that have been identified as defaulters under its regulatory process. The current website lists registered projects, complaints, disposed matters and defaulter information.
The orders section also provides recent complaint and interim orders.
A prospective buyer can therefore investigate whether a particular promoter or project has appeared in regulatory proceedings. Such information should be read carefully because the existence of a complaint does not by itself establish that every allegation is proven.
10. Protection Against False or Incorrect Information
RERA also provides protection concerning false or incorrect statements.
TG RERA’s published material states that promoters can be responsible for false or incorrect statements and that the statutory framework provides for compensation and refund-related remedies in applicable circumstances.
This makes it important for buyers to preserve advertisements, brochures, emails, payment receipts, booking forms, WhatsApp communications and other written representations.
If a dispute later arises, these records can help establish what was represented at the time of purchase.
11. What Hyderabad Homebuyers Should Check Before Booking
RERA provides important protections, but buyers should still conduct independent due diligence.
Before purchasing, check:
- TG RERA registration — Confirm that the project appears on the official portal.
- Promoter details — Check the registered promoter and project information.
- Project completion date — Compare it with the developer’s promised possession timeline.
- Sanctioned plans — Check the project’s approved configuration.
- Carpet area — Confirm that the apartment being offered matches the disclosed details.
- Encumbrances and title — Conduct a separate legal title search.
- Construction progress — Compare the actual site with reported progress.
- Agreement for sale — Read the agreement before making substantial payments.
- Complaints and orders — Review publicly available TG RERA proceedings.
- Approvals and certificates — Verify applicable building, completion and occupancy documents.
Conclusion
Telangana RERA provides several important protections for homebuyers in Hyderabad today. The framework promotes project registration and disclosure, regulates advance payments, requires a separate account for specified project collections, regulates changes to sanctioned plans and provides remedies for certain delays and violations.
TG RERA also gives buyers access to registered-project information, complaint filing facilities, regulatory orders and defaulter information through its official website.
Recent TG RERA actions also demonstrate that the authority continues to update and enforce procedures. For example, it has issued directions concerning separate project bank accounts, quarterly reporting and execution of authority orders.
However, RERA registration does not mean that a buyer can skip independent property due diligence. Title verification, land records, encumbrance checks, sanctioned building plans, project approvals and the agreement for sale should still be examined.
For a Hyderabad homebuyer, the most practical approach is to use TG RERA as one important layer of protection while independently verifying the property’s legal, financial and construction status. This can help buyers make decisions based on official project information rather than relying only on promotional claims made by developers or agents.