Before you pay even a token amount for a new flat in Maharashtra, check one thing: is the project registered with MahaRERA? It takes only a few minutes on the official website, and it is the best protection you have as a buyer.
This step-by-step guide shows you how to check, and what to look at once you find the project.
What is MahaRERA and why does it matter?
MahaRERA is the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority. It was set up under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. Under this law, most new residential projects must be registered before the developer can advertise or sell flats.
Registration means the developer has to put key project details and documents on a public website and keep them updated. You can see this information for free.
Note: small projects can be exempt. Under the Act, registration is not required where the land is 500 sq m or less, or there are 8 flats or fewer across all phases. Most projects that advertise widely are well above these limits.
Important update for 2026: MahaRERA has a new portal
MahaRERA closed its old online portal in May 2026. All services, including project search and complaints, now run on its new platform, called MahaCRITI. Start from the official website, maharera.maharashtra.gov.in.
Some older articles and brochures still point to the old site, so if a link looks unfamiliar, go back to the official homepage. The exact screens may also change over time, but the steps below stay broadly the same.
Step-by-step: how to check a project’s MahaRERA registration
Step 1: Get the registration number
Every registered project has a MahaRERA registration number. It usually starts with “P” followed by digits (for example, P5xxxxxxxxxx or P99xxxxxxxxx). By MahaRERA’s rules, developers and agents must show the registration number, the MahaRERA website address and a QR code clearly in their advertisements, in the top-right part of the ad. If an ad has no registration number, be careful.
Step 2: Open the official project search
Go to maharera.maharashtra.gov.in and open the project search section. You can also scan the QR code in the advertisement. It should take you to the project’s official MahaRERA page.
Step 3: Search for the project
Type the registration number (the most accurate option). You can also search by project name, location or district. For Virar, Vasai and Nallasopara, the district is Palghar. For Mira Road, it is Thane. For Dahisar and Borivali, it is Mumbai Suburban.
Step 4: Click “View Details”
Open the project’s details page. This is where the useful information is.
Step 5: Match the basic details
Check that these match what the sales team told you:
- Project name and registration number
- Promoter (developer) name
- Project address and survey/plot numbers
- The specific building or phase you are buying in. Large projects often register each phase separately.
What to check on the project page
1. Proposed completion date
This is the date the developer has formally committed to. Compare it with the date the sales team gave you. If the website shows an extension, ask why.
2. Documents uploaded
MahaRERA advises buyers to look at the legal title certificate, approved plans, the draft allotment letter, the model agreement for sale, and any details of loans or legal cases on the land. If you do not understand a document, ask a lawyer to check it.
3. Project progress updates
Under Section 11 of the RERA Act, developers must update project information regularly, including construction progress and how many flats are booked. A project with old or missing updates is a warning sign.
4. Complaints
MahaRERA suggests checking whether complaints have been filed against the project. A few complaints in a big project are not always a red flag, but many complaints about delays deserve a closer look.
5. Agreement for sale
When you receive the draft agreement, compare it with MahaRERA’s model agreement. Check the deviation report on the website to see what the developer has changed. Make sure your flat number, carpet area and possession date are written correctly.
At possession: two more checks
- Occupancy Certificate (OC): check that the OC uploaded on MahaRERA covers your building or wing.
- Architect’s completion certificate (Form 4): MahaRERA lists this as a key document to check before possession.
Read more about what to check before moving in with our new flat buying checklist.
Also check the agent
Real estate agents in Maharashtra must also register with MahaRERA. Before you work with any agent, ask for their MahaRERA agent registration number and check it on the official website. Besthouz’s MahaRERA agent registration number is A51700027725. You are welcome to verify it. Learn more about Besthouz.
Red flags to watch for
- No MahaRERA number in the advertisement or brochure
- The number on the brochure does not match the project or building on the website
- Pressure to pay a large amount before you can check the details
- Progress updates that are old or blank
- A completion date that has been extended many times
Frequently asked questions
Is MahaRERA registration a guarantee that the project will be on time?
No. Registration does not guarantee on-time delivery. But it makes the developer accountable, gives you public information to check, and lets you file a complaint with MahaRERA if things go wrong.
Can I check MahaRERA registration on my phone?
Yes. The official website works in a mobile browser, and you can scan the QR code in a project’s advertisement with your phone camera.
Do ready-to-move projects need MahaRERA registration?
Projects that had already received their completion or occupancy certificate before RERA came into force were generally not required to register. Many newer ready-to-move projects are registered because they were sold while under construction. Check each project, and always check the OC. See our ready-to-move flats.
Where can I complain about a project?
You can file a complaint online through MahaRERA’s official platform, MahaCRITI, starting from maharera.maharashtra.gov.in.
Need help checking a project?
At Besthouz, we check MahaRERA details with every buyer before they book, at 0% brokerage. We have been advising homebuyers in Virar, Vasai, Nallasopara, Naigaon, Mira Road, Dahisar and Borivali since 2009. Send us the project name and we will walk you through it. Call or WhatsApp 7498626832 or message us on WhatsApp. Office: Shop No 15, Vinay Darshan, Vinay Nagar, Mira Road East (Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 8 PM).