Realty Booms, But RERA Let Down Homebuyers

Telangana's real estate market is booming, and experts claim a need to protect home buyers from erring builders and agents. 

With the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (T-RERA) being inert even five years later, aspects have been complicated. 

The state-wise RERA status article by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs website verifies that Telangana has only an 'interim' authority that disposed of 'zero' RERA-related cases until now. This leaves T-RERA meaningless, with no powers.  

Abhay Upadhyay, a CAC member, said "The RERA Act categorically directs state governments to appoint an authority within one year from the date this Act came into force. Given that period has lapsed, even if a homebuyer now approaches T-RERA with a complaint against a builder/agent, the latter can challenge it stating the authority is invalid." 

He persuaded the local industry body to approach the central council so it can negotiate and start speaking to the Telangana government. 

An industry representative said "The problem is the Hyderabad industry itself is divided on the issue. While one section wants TS-RERA to be strengthened, another is comfortable with the way it is, for various reasons, and doesn't want to be collective and demand for permanent authority."