MahaRERA Makes QR Code, Registration Number Mandatory in Ads, ₹50,000 Penalty for Violations

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has issued a directive requiring real estate developers and agents to prominently display the project's registration number and a QR code in all forms of advertisement. This includes print, digital, hoardings, brochures, and social media promotions. The QR code must link directly to the project’s MahaRERA webpage, providing prospective homebuyers with authenticated project details. Failure to comply with this rule may result in penalties of up to ₹50,000.

The notification, issued on April 8, comes after the authority observed widespread violations in the implementation of its earlier mandate from August 2023. Despite requiring the inclusion of QR codes in advertisements since that time, the authority noted that many developers have either not implemented the directive or have displayed the QR code and registration number in a manner that makes them ineffective.

According to MahaRERA, issues such as small font sizes, placement in obscure corners, or use of low-contrast colours have made the information hard to read. In many cases, the QR code is not scannable, defeating its purpose of offering quick access to verified project details.

To address this, MahaRERA has now laid down specific visual guidelines for displaying this information. The registration number and website link must be in a font size equal to or larger than the largest font used for any project contact details or addresses in the advertisement. Additionally, the QR code must be placed in the top right corner of all advertisements, in a clearly visible and scannable format.

The authority’s statement reads, “The project registration number, QR code, and website address are often placed in non-prominent locations or are displayed using fonts and colours that render them nearly invisible. Such practices undermine the goal of transparency and make it difficult for homebuyers to verify whether a project is registered under MahaRERA.”

The new guideline is backed by Sections 63 and 65 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. These sections empower MahaRERA to impose penalties in cases where promoters or agents do not adhere to regulatory mandates. As per the order, a 10-day window will be given to rectify any non-compliance once detected. If corrections are not made within this period, the authority will initiate action under the relevant legal provisions.

MahaRERA’s move is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing transparency in the real estate sector. By ensuring easy access to a project’s registration details through a single scan, the authority seeks to strengthen the due diligence process for homebuyers. Prospective buyers can check if a project is legally registered, view documents, and assess the status of approvals, thus making informed investment decisions.

In a related development, the authority recently ruled that the Trade Centre Building in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex must be registered under RERA, reinforcing the importance of registration compliance in commercial real estate as well.

MahaRERA has also advised developers and agents to avoid using light colours or placing QR codes near other visual clutter in their advertisements. The emphasis is on clarity, visibility, and ease of use to serve the purpose for which the mandate was introduced.

Homebuyers and other stakeholders have been encouraged to report instances where advertisements fail to display the required details prominently. MahaRERA is expected to monitor the implementation of this directive closely in the coming months.

With this latest move, MahaRERA continues its effort to bring accountability to advertising practices in real estate, aiming to provide buyers with the tools they need to evaluate projects transparently and efficiently.