To protect homebuyers, the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA), Gurugram, has issued a public advisory cautioning buyers against purchasing or booking plots, flats, villas, apartments or other units in unregistered real estate projects.

The authority warned that such transactions can invite legal action and leave buyers without the regulatory protection available under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

In its advisory on Aug 14, HRERA urged prospective buyers to conduct due diligence before investing and verify the project’s RERA registration certificate and number, website, approved site address and other relevant details through the authority’s portal.

The authority noted that with a large volume of residential and commercial supply expected to enter the market, buyers could be approached with pre-launch schemes, promotional offers or booking opportunities before projects receive the required approvals and RERA registration.

The latest advisory makes it clear that a booking offer or promotional campaign should not be treated as proof that a project is legally ready for sale. Buyers should first verify the project’s registration number and approved details on HRERA’s official database before making any payment or signing an agreement.

Arun Kumar, chairman, HRERA Gurugram, told Hindustan Times newspaper that prospective homebuyers have been urged to exercise caution before investing and verify essential project details, including the RERA registration certificate, registration number, project website, approved site address and other relevant credentials available on the authority’s portal.

According to Kumar, the sale, marketing, booking or purchase of units in an unregistered real estate project violates provisions of the RERA Act. He advised buyers to invest only in projects duly registered with the authority to safeguard their interests and ensure legal protection under the Act.

HRERA had issued a similar advisory in January, asking homebuyers and property investors to deal only with registered property agents and warning about the legal and financial risks associated with unregistered intermediaries.