10 Years Later: RERA Was Meant To Protect Homebuyers, But Builders Keep Getting 'More Time'

RERA was introduced in 2016 to make real estate developers accountable and protect homebuyers from project delays. But ten years on, a new report by the Forum for People’s Collective Efforts (FPCE) raises questions over whether project extensions, meant to be exceptional, are becoming routine. The report examines official records across seven states and flags concerns over repeated deadline extensions, buyer payments, delayed possession and regulatory scrutiny. It also highlights provisions under Sections 6, 7 and 18 of RERA, including force majeure, project continuation and interest for delayed possession. From a Maharashtra project stuck at 55% construction despite buyers paying almost in full, to international safeguards in Malaysia, Spain, the Philippines and Dubai, the report asks: Is RERA enforcing deadlines — or simply extending them?