The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) has issued a firm directive to developers, prohibiting the handover of incomplete residential units.
The regulatory body has explicitly stated that the practice of offering possession of ‘bare shell’ or ‘canvas’ apartments, lacking essential amenities and finishes, must cease immediately. Non-compliance with this order could result in substantial financial penalties, potentially reaching up to five per cent of the total project cost, as per the order issued on 8 May 2025, under the stipulations of Section 37 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. UP RERA’s stern stance underscores a commitment to ensuring that homebuyers receive fully completed dwellings, equipped with all promised facilities, only after the execution of a registered sale or lease deed. The authority’s observation that certain developers were incorporating clauses in sale agreements compelling allottees to accept unfinished properties has been deemed unlawful. This proactive intervention by UP RERA seeks to eliminate such unfair practices and reinforce the principle that physical possession should only be transferred upon the receipt of a valid Completion Certificate (CC) or Occupancy Certificate (OC) from the relevant authorities.
Furthermore, the directive mandates that developers must secure all necessary No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) pertaining to safety and essential services before submitting an application for an OC. This prerequisite aims to guarantee that the delivered properties not only meet structural completion standards but also adhere to crucial safety and serviceability norms, fostering secure and liveable communities. Reinforcing this, Rule 1.8(3) of the Uttar Pradesh Agreement for Sale Rules, 2018, clearly stipulates that the price quoted for a property must be inclusive of all costs and facilities, leaving no room for ambiguity or the imposition of additional burdens on the buyer for basic amenities. This regulatory push by UP RERA aligns with a broader vision of fostering sustainable and equitable urban development. By ensuring that homes are delivered complete and ready for occupancy, the authority is contributing to the creation of liveable and functional urban spaces, reducing the potential for disputes and ensuring that homebuyers’ investments translate into tangible and habitable assets. The emphasis on full completion and adherence to registered agreement formats also brings clarity to the definition of ‘ready-to-move-in’ homes, which are unequivocally defined as fully finished units.
The implications of this directive are far-reaching, potentially reshaping the dynamics between developers and homebuyers in Uttar Pradesh. The threat of penalties under Sections 38 and 61 of the RERA Act for non-compliance serves as a strong deterrent against the practice of handing over incomplete units. This decisive action by UP RERA signals a firm commitment to upholding the rights of homebuyers and promoting transparency and accountability within the real estate sector, ultimately contributing to the development of more equitable and sustainable urban environments where the interests of all stakeholders are duly protected.
