How to Get RERA Approval in Karnataka

Under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, any real estate project in Karnataka with land area exceeding 500 square metres or more than eight apartments must be registered with K-RERA before advertising or selling. This applies to both residential and commercial projects. If you are developing plotted land exceeding 500 sq m, that also requires registration. Projects that received completion certificates before RERA came into effect are exempt. Single-building projects with up to eight apartments on land under 500 sq m are also exempt, but many builders still register voluntarily for buyer confidence. Check the Karnataka RERA website (rera.karnataka.gov.in) for the latest thresholds and exemptions applicable to your project type.

K-RERA requires a comprehensive set of documents. You will need the project layout plan approved by the local planning authority (BBMP, BDA, or the relevant municipal body), land title documents with a clear chain of title for the past 30 years, encumbrance certificate from the Sub-Registrar office, approved building plan sanctioned by BBMP or the competent authority, commencement certificate, partnership deed or company incorporation certificate (if applicable), PAN card and audited financial statements of the promoter, engineer and architect certifications, and a declaration in Form B as prescribed under the Karnataka RERA Rules. You also need an escrow account — 70% of the amount collected from buyers must be deposited in a separate bank account designated for that specific project.

Visit the official Karnataka RERA portal at rera.karnataka.gov.in. Click on "Promoter Registration" to create a new account. You will need to provide your email address, mobile number, and basic entity details. After verification via OTP, you will receive login credentials. The portal interface has sections for individual promoters, partnership firms, companies, and societies. Select the appropriate category. Fill in the promoter profile with complete details including registered office address, past project history, ongoing litigation details (if any), and key personnel information. This profile information becomes part of the public record once your project is approved, so ensure accuracy.

Log in and navigate to "New Project Registration." Enter comprehensive project details: project name, type (residential, commercial, or mixed), total land area, number of buildings, number of floors per building, total units, carpet area of each unit type, common area details, and amenities proposed. Upload all documents gathered in Step 2. You must provide a detailed project timeline with phase-wise completion dates, proposed date of possession for each phase, and the structural engineer's certificate confirming feasibility. The system requires you to upload the pro forma allotment letter, agreement for sale draft, and the project's approved layout plan in PDF format. The declaration under Form B must be signed by the promoter or an authorised signatory and notarised.

K-RERA charges a registration fee based on the estimated cost of the project. For projects up to ₹1 crore, the fee is ₹5 per square metre of land area. For projects exceeding ₹1 crore, the fee is calculated at ₹10 per square metre. The minimum fee is ₹5,000 and the maximum is ₹5,00,000 (five lakh rupees). Payment is made online through the portal via net banking, debit card, or credit card. After payment, you will receive a transaction receipt. Note that this fee is non-refundable even if the application is rejected. For plotted development projects, the fee calculation is based on the total plotted area. Keep the payment receipt safely — it is required for any future correspondence with K-RERA.

After completing all fields and uploading documents, submit the application. K-RERA assigns an application reference number. The authority reviews the application within 30 days of submission. If documents are incomplete or information is incorrect, K-RERA issues a deficiency notice, and you get 30 days to rectify. If no deficiency is found, the project is registered and you receive a unique RERA registration number (e.g., PRM/KA/RERA/1251/309/PR/170824/006789). This number must be displayed in all advertisements, brochures, and marketing materials. You can track application status online through the portal. Once registered, quarterly updates on construction progress, financials, and unit sales must be filed through the portal.