How to File a RERA Complaint in Karnataka (K-RERA)

If your builder has delayed possession, changed the plan or failed to fix defects, the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) gives you a faster route than a civil suit. In Bangalore, complaints go to the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA).

Common Grounds for Complaint

• Delay in handing over possession
• Changes to the sanctioned plan or specifications without buyers’ consent
• Structural defects reported within five years of possession
• Failure to register the project or to provide promised amenities
• Refusal to refund money when the buyer withdraws because of the builder’s default

Remedies Under RERA

Under Section 18 of RERA, if the builder fails to deliver on time, the buyer can choose to withdraw and get a refund with interest, or stay in the project and receive interest for every month of delay until possession. Compensation claims are decided by the adjudicating officer.

How to File

1. Collect your agreement for sale, payment receipts, allotment letter and correspondence with the builder.
2. File the complaint online on the Karnataka RERA portal, setting out the facts and the relief you want, and pay the prescribed fee.
3. Attend hearings (often online) and file any further documents the authority asks for.
4. If the builder does not comply with the order, apply for enforcement; orders can also be appealed to the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer for a RERA complaint?

It is not compulsory, but a lawyer helps frame the claim, calculate interest correctly and handle the builder’s objections.

Can I file a RERA complaint for a completed project?

Yes, for structural defects reported within five years of possession, and for other violations related to a registered project.

How long does K-RERA take?

Timelines vary with the case load; many complaints are decided within several months.