RERA Complaint Against Builder in Punjab: Rights, Process & Timeline 2026
Buying a home is the biggest investment most families make. When builders in Punjab — including Mohali, Kharar, Zirakpur, Aerocity, and New Chandigarh — delay possession, fail to provide promised amenities, or refuse to refund your money, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) Punjab provides a powerful legal remedy. This 2026 guide covers everything a homebuyer in Punjab needs to know.
Your Rights as a Homebuyer Under RERA
The RERA Act, 2016 gave homebuyers rights they never had before:
Right to Timely Possession Builders must register their project with RERA Punjab and declare a date of possession. If possession is not given by the declared date (or within an extended period for force majeure), you are entitled to interest on every rupee you have paid from the due date until actual possession.
Right to Information RERA-registered projects must disclose all project details — layout plans, approvals, completion timeline, number of units — on the RERA website. The builder must update this information regularly.
Right to Refund with Interest If you choose not to wait for delayed possession, you can withdraw from the project and get a full refund of all amounts paid, with interest at the applicable rate (SBI MCLR + 2%). The builder cannot deduct any charges for this.
Right to Compensation For losses caused by defects, incomplete construction, failure to provide amenities, or false representations in advertisements — you can claim compensation.
Right to Possession with OC The builder must hand over the flat along with the Occupancy Certificate (OC) from the competent authority. Handing over possession without OC is technically illegal. If your builder has given possession without OC, you are in a precarious legal position — a RERA complaint can compel the builder to obtain the OC.
How is RERA Interest Calculated?
The interest rate under RERA Punjab is: SBI's highest Marginal Cost of Lending Rate (MCLR) + 2%
Currently (as of 2026), this works out to approximately 10–12% per annum compounded monthly.
Example:
- Amount paid to builder: Rs. 40,00,000
- Possession due date: January 2023
- Current date: July 2026
- Delay: 3.5 years (42 months)
- Approximate interest entitlement: Rs. 40,00,000 × 11% × 3.5 = Rs. 15,40,000 (approximately)
This can be a very substantial amount. Many homebuyers do not realize they are entitled to this interest.
RERA Punjab: Key Details
- Website: rera.punjab.gov.in
- Office: Punjab Real Estate Regulatory Authority, PUDA Bhawan, Sector 62, Mohali
- Jurisdiction: Covers all projects in Punjab including Mohali, Kharar, Zirakpur, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and all other Punjab districts
- Note: Panchkula and Gurugram projects fall under HRERA, not RERA Punjab
Step-by-Step RERA Punjab Complaint Process
Step 1: Verify RERA Registration Check on rera.punjab.gov.in that your project is registered. Note the RERA Registration Number.
Step 2: Gather Documents
- Buyer's Agreement / Allotment Letter
- All payment receipts
- Demand letters from the builder
- Correspondence with the builder
- RERA Registration certificate of the project
- Brochure / advertisement (for misrepresentation complaints)
- Any possession letter issued (if OC is pending)
Step 3: Calculate Your Claim With your advocate, calculate:
- Total amount paid to the builder
- Date possession was due (as per agreement)
- Interest from the due date to date of complaint filing
- Any additional compensation for losses
Step 4: File Online at rera.punjab.gov.in
- Register as a complainant on the portal
- Fill in the complaint form
- Upload all documents
- Pay the complaint fee (approximately Rs. 1,000 – Rs. 5,000)
- Submit the complaint
Step 5: Hearing The complaint is listed before an Adjudicating Officer or the RERA Authority bench. Hearings are typically scheduled within 2–4 weeks of filing. Your advocate represents you in hearings.
Step 6: Order RERA Punjab typically passes orders within 3 to 12 months of filing for straightforward cases. The order may direct:
- Possession with interest
- Refund with interest (if chosen)
- Compensation for losses
- Penalty on the builder for violations
Step 7: Execution If the builder does not comply within the time given in the order, file an Execution Petition before RERA. RERA can recover the awarded amount as arrears of land revenue — meaning the government machinery can step in to collect the money from the builder.
What If the Builder Has Filed Insolvency?
This is a complication faced by buyers of some large builders. Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), homebuyers are financial creditors and have the right to file claims before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) through the Resolution Professional appointed in the insolvency process. A qualified advocate can assist with filing IBC claims alongside RERA complaints.
How Tricity Law Firm Helps Homebuyers
Our firm has represented homebuyers against multiple builders in Punjab — including projects in Aerocity (Mohali), New Chandigarh, Zirakpur, Kharar, Sector 66 (Mohali), and Sunny Enclave.
We provide:
- Free initial assessment of your RERA claim
- Complete complaint preparation and filing
- Representation at all RERA Punjab hearings
- Execution proceedings if the builder does not comply
- IBC claims if the builder is in insolvency
Call +91-9814110005 or contact us for a free RERA case evaluation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. RERA laws and procedures may change. Please consult an advocate for advice specific to your builder and project.