The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) aims to protect the interests of home buyers in India by bringing transparency and accountability to the real estate sector. Here are some of the ways in which RERA protects home buyers: Registration of real estate projects: RERA makes it mandatory for all real estate projects with an area of more than 500 square meters or more than eight apartments to be registered with the respective state RERA authority. This ensures that only credible developers with a good track record can undertake real estate projects, and helps prevent fraudulent and unscrupulous developers from entering the market. Standardized contract: RERA mandates that developers have to use a standard agreement format, which includes all the important terms and conditions related to the sale of the property. This helps protect the interests of home buyers by ensuring that the terms of the agreement are fair and transparent. Timely delivery of projects: RERA requires developers to specify the timeline for completion of the project and adhere to it. In case of delay, the developer is liable to pay compensation to the home buyer. This ensures that developers complete projects within the specified timeline and discourages them from taking on more projects than they can handle. Escrow account: RERA requires developers to deposit 70% of the project funds in an escrow account, which can be used only for the construction of the project. This ensures that the funds are used for the intended purpose and prevents diversion of funds by developers. Grievance redressal mechanism: RERA establishes a mechanism for the speedy and efficient redressal of grievances of home buyers. The RERA authority is empowered to hear complaints and take necessary actions against developers who violate the provisions of the Act. Overall, RERA provides a comprehensive legal framework for protecting the interests of home buyers and promoting transparency and accountability in the real estate sector in India.