Which projects must register with TNRERA?

Section 3 of the RERA Act says a promoter cannot advertise, book or sell in a project without registering it. Section 3(2)(a) exempts a project where the land does not exceed 500 square metres or the apartments do not exceed eight, including all phases. The TNRERA FAQ says the Act has applied in full since 1 May 2017.

What can I do if the builder delays possession?

Under section 18 of the Act, if you withdraw, the promoter must return your money with interest and compensation. If you stay in the project, the promoter must pay interest for every month of delay until possession. The Tamil Nadu Rules, 2017 fix the rate at the State Bank of India's highest marginal cost of lending rate plus two per cent.

How do I file a complaint with TNRERA?

Register at rera.tn.gov.in/complaint/login and file Form M before the Authority with a fee of Rs 1,000, or Form N before the Adjudicating Officer for compensation with a fee of Rs 5,000. Both need Rs 600 for postage. Then send three hard copies by registered post or in person within 7 days of filing online.

Do property agents need RERA registration?

Yes. TNRERA says property dealers, brokers and middlemen, by whatever name called, must register with it, and that failure to register is an offence punishable with a fine, imprisonment or both. Check the agent's number under Registration > Agents > Registered Agents, and also look at the list of agents whose registration has lapsed.

What if the project land has a title defect?

Section 18(2) of the Act makes the promoter liable to compensate allottees for any loss caused by a defective title to the land, and says that claim is not barred by limitation. The EC on the project page covers only the period after planning permission, so check the title deeds and a full EC for the land yourself.

Does Tamil Nadu issue an occupancy certificate?

The TNRERA FAQ says Tamil Nadu issues a completion certificate, not an occupancy certificate, under the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. Ask for the completion certificate when the builder offers possession. The TNRERA help desk is 9025 201 202 or 044-2888 7947, on working days from 10 am to 5.45 pm.

Record guide

TNRERA Project Search in Tamil Nadu

TNRERA project search is a free check of the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority's register at rera.tn.gov.in. It shows whether a project is registered and what the builder filed to get registration. Under section 3 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, a promoter cannot advertise, book or sell plots or flats in a project without registering it, unless the land is 500 square metres or less or the project has eight apartments or fewer. Search by registration number, such as TNRERA/29/BLG/0001/2026, or by promoter or project name. The project page shows the planning permission and approved plan, the completion date, the stage of construction, an encumbrance certificate and the project bank details. Agents must register too. A complaint against a promoter goes to the Authority in Form M with a fee of Rs 1,000, as of 22 October 2026.

Definition

TNRERA Project Search: The public register of the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority, which also covers the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It lists registered building and layout projects with the promoter's filings, registered real estate agents, and projects that were rejected, withdrawn or penalised.

When you need it

Before you book a flat, villa or plot in a new project, to confirm that it is registered and to compare its approvals and completion date with the brochure and the agreement. Check again before each large payment. The TNRERA FAQ says a person who buys a flat or plot by transfer from the first buyer is also an allottee under section 2(d) of the Act.

Steps

Open rera.tn.gov.in (without www) and click Know TNRERA Registered Projects on the home page.
Choose Online Projects, then select the project type: Building or Layout.
Search by Project Registration No., entered in five parts, or by Promoter / Project Name.
Or go to Registration > Projects > Registered Projects - Tamil Nadu > Building or Layout, choose the year and filter the list.
Under Other Details, open Project Details and Promoter Details. Check the approvals, the completion date, the stage of construction and the EC.
Check the Rejected, Withdrawn and penalty lists on the same menu.
To check a broker, use Registration > Agents > Registered Agents > Tamil Nadu, and the list of agents whose registration has lapsed.

What you need to search

Project type: Building or Layout
Registration number in five parts, for example TNRERA/29/BLG/0001/2026 (the search hint also shows TN/29/Building/0000/2026)
Or the promoter name or project name
The registration year, for the year-wise lists

Fees

Searching is free. Complaint to the Authority (Form M): Rs 1,000. Complaint to the Adjudicating Officer for compensation (Form N): Rs 5,000. Each also needs Rs 600 for postage, paid online.

TNRERA Project Search fee. Source: rera.tn.gov.in, as of 2026-10-22.

Searching is free. Complaint to the Authority (Form M): Rs 1,000. Complaint to the Adjudicating Officer for compensation (Form N): Rs 5,000. Each also needs Rs 600 for postage, paid online. (source: https://rera.tn.gov.in/homePageFiles/Reg_Fee_Complaint.pdf, as of 2026-10-22. Verify with sub-registrar.)

How to read it

The project page is the builder's Form A application. Match the Planning Permission Issued By field and the permit number with the approval letter and the approved plan bearing the local body seal. Compare the Project Completion Date with the date in your agreement. Note the site extent, the number of dwelling units, and the stage of construction with dated site photographs. The uploaded EC covers the period from the planning permission to the RERA filing. The list shows the current status of each project.

Red flags

No registration number for a project on more than 500 square metres with more than eight apartments
The project appears in the Rejected, Withdrawn or penalty lists
A completion date on TNRERA that differs from the date in your agreement
An approval number in the brochure that does not match the planning permission on TNRERA
A broker who is not on the agents list or whose registration has lapsed
A demand to pay into an account other than the project bank account shown on TNRERA

Questions

Which projects must register with TNRERA?: Section 3 of the RERA Act says a promoter cannot advertise, book or sell in a project without registering it. Section 3(2)(a) exempts a project where the land does not exceed 500 square metres or the apartments do not exceed eight, including all phases. The TNRERA FAQ says the Act has applied in full since 1 May 2017.
What can I do if the builder delays possession?: Under section 18 of the Act, if you withdraw, the promoter must return your money with interest and compensation. If you stay in the project, the promoter must pay interest for every month of delay until possession. The Tamil Nadu Rules, 2017 fix the rate at the State Bank of India's highest marginal cost of lending rate plus two per cent.
How do I file a complaint with TNRERA?: Register at rera.tn.gov.in/complaint/login and file Form M before the Authority with a fee of Rs 1,000, or Form N before the Adjudicating Officer for compensation with a fee of Rs 5,000. Both need Rs 600 for postage. Then send three hard copies by registered post or in person within 7 days of filing online.
Do property agents need RERA registration?: Yes. TNRERA says property dealers, brokers and middlemen, by whatever name called, must register with it, and that failure to register is an offence punishable with a fine, imprisonment or both. Check the agent's number under Registration > Agents > Registered Agents, and also look at the list of agents whose registration has lapsed.
What if the project land has a title defect?: Section 18(2) of the Act makes the promoter liable to compensate allottees for any loss caused by a defective title to the land, and says that claim is not barred by limitation. The EC on the project page covers only the period after planning permission, so check the title deeds and a full EC for the land yourself.
Does Tamil Nadu issue an occupancy certificate?: The TNRERA FAQ says Tamil Nadu issues a completion certificate, not an occupancy certificate, under the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. Ask for the completion certificate when the builder offers possession. The TNRERA help desk is 9025 201 202 or 044-2888 7947, on working days from 10 am to 5.45 pm.

Sources

Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA)
Fee source — as of 2026-10-22

Last reviewed 22 Oct 2026 by LawyerDesk Team

Quality check: 9 of 6 required sections filled. General information only, not legal advice.

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