The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 fundamentally rebalanced the buyer-builder relationship. Buyers now have three potent remedies — refund of principal with statutory interest, continued possession with compensation, or specific performance. Novation Legal has recovered principals with RERA-rate interest from marquee NCR developers and pursued specific performance through the appellate authority and the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal.
Section 18 of the RERA Act entitles the buyer to refund of the principal amount plus interest at the prescribed rate on builder delay or failure to deliver possession by the agreed date. Refund applications close in months when documented correctly. We file with full documentary defence — agreement, payment receipts, communication trail, demand letters and evidence of delay — and pursue execution through the appellate forum where the developer obstructs.
The Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA) at Panchkula and Gurugram has emerged as one of India's most active RERA forums. We file complaints across the Gurugram bench and the Panchkula appellate authority. Our Gurugram practice covers DLF, M3M, Emaar, Adani, Tata Housing, Godrej, Sobha and other marquee builders.
The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) at Lucknow and Greater Noida handles complaints against Noida and Greater Noida developers. We file with UP-RERA, contest authority cancellation orders before the appellate tribunal and pursue execution through the District Court at Gautam Budh Nagar.
Possession delay is the most common buyer grievance. The agreement typically specifies a possession date, with grace period and force majeure carve-outs. We document delay, serve formal demand, file RERA Section 18 complaint with election (refund or continued possession with compensation), and pursue execution. Where the developer is in financial distress, we move to NCLT under IBC Section 7 with the Supreme Court's 2019 Pioneer Urban Land judgement.
For premium properties or properties where market price has appreciated substantially, refund leaves the buyer worse off. RERA permits specific performance — compelling the developer to complete and deliver. We pursue specific performance with full project diligence, occupancy certificate enforcement and continuing oversight through the appellate tribunal.
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