By Arosh John – Founder, John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835) & Editor-in-Chief, Thane Real Estate News (TREN)
Thane–MMR | December 2025
In Maharashtra, a real estate agent under MahaRERA is not an informal broker – they are a regulated intermediary with clear rules on registration, training, advertising and accountability. This is a concise, law-aligned overview of what every agent, promoter and homebuyer should know.
1. Who Must Register as a MahaRERA Real Estate Agent?
Under Section 9 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, read with Rule 11 of the Maharashtra Rules, you must register with MahaRERA as a real estate agent if you:
- Facilitate the sale or purchase of units in a MahaRERA-registered project
- Advertise, market or promote such projects (online or offline)
- Act on behalf of any person to connect buyers and promoters for consideration
Labels do not matter. Whether you call yourself a broker, channel partner, consultant, advisor or portal, if you are paid to facilitate transactions in a registered project, you fall under the “real estate agent” definition.
For buyers, the MahaRERA project page shows which agents are tagged to that project and whether their registrations are active, lapsed or deregistered.
2. Registration, Validity and Renewal – Fee Structure
2.1 Registration & Renewal Fees
Under Rule 11(3) and Rule 13(1) of the Maharashtra Rules, the same fee structure applies for both new registration and renewal:
- Individual agents / proprietors: ₹10,000
- Other than individuals (partnership firm, LLP, company, society, etc.): ₹1,00,000
MahaRERA has clarified that sole proprietary concerns are treated as “Individual” for fee purposes, so they also pay ₹10,000.
2.2 Validity of Registration
- Registration is valid for 5 years, unless revoked.
- On renewal, it is extended for another 5-year block.
2.3 Online Process – Snapshot
The process is entirely online on the MahaRERA portal:
- Create agent login
- Fill the agent registration form (individual or entity details, business profile, pending cases, etc.)
- Upload mandatory documents (KYC, PAN, address proof, firm / LLP / company documents, etc.)
- Accept declarations and pay fees online
- Track scrutiny status and respond to queries if raised
- On approval, download the registration certificate and number
For renewal, the application is again made online through the “Renewal” tab in the agent account and must include the required reports and updated documents.
MahaRERA also publishes:
- Registered Agents
- Real Estate Agents whose registration validity has lapsed
- List of Real Estate Agents Deregistered
So your status is visible to everyone.
3. Mandatory Training & Certificate of Competency
From 2023 onwards, MahaRERA has made training and certification compulsory for agents.
3.1 Training Framework
Under MahaRERA’s “Guidelines for Real Estate Agent Training and Certification”:
- Minimum training duration: 20 hours
- Modes: Online, offline or hybrid
- Empanelled training providers: 4 organisations (including NAREDCO, NAR-India, Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers, SIMACES Learning LLP)
- Maximum training fee: ₹5,000 (excluding GST)
The syllabus covers:
- RERA Act and Maharashtra Rules
- MahaRERA portal and disclosures
- Agent registration and responsibilities
- Promoter and allottee obligations
- Due diligence before selling
- Agreements, calculations and code of conduct
3.2 Examination & Competency Certificate
- Exam conducted by IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) for MahaRERA
- Online MCQ exam: 50 questions, 2 marks each (100 marks total)
- Passing marks: 40
- Languages: English and Marathi
- Maximum exam fee: ₹1,500 (excluding GST)
- Maximum 3 attempts; if all 3 attempts are unsuccessful, the training must be repeated before reappearing
On passing, the candidate receives a MahaRERA Real Estate Agent Certificate of Competency with a unique certification number.
From 1 May 2023, a valid Certificate of Competency is a mandatory condition for:
- New agent registrations
- Renewal of existing registrations
Without this certification, registration or renewal is not granted.
4. Advertising & QR Code Norms – Order 46C/2025
On 8 April 2025, MahaRERA issued Order 46C/2025, prescribing strict norms for QR codes and registration display in housing advertisements. These rules apply to both promoters and registered agents.
4.1 What Every Advertisement Must Show
Any advertisement, promotion or prospectus for a MahaRERA-registered project – including:
- Print ads (newspapers, magazines)
- Hoardings, standees, bus shelters
- Brochures, leaflets, flyers
- Websites, landing pages
- Social media posts, digital banners, video thumbnails
must carry all three:
- MahaRERA Project Registration Number
- MahaRERA Website Address
- Project-specific MahaRERA QR Code
4.2 Placement and Font Size
Order 46C/2025 mandates that:
- The registration number, website address and QR code must be placed in the top-right quadrant of the advertisement.
- The font size of the MahaRERA registration number and website address must be equal to or larger than the largest font used for the project’s contact details and address.
- The colour used must ensure high visibility.
- The QR code must be displayed with the proper aspect ratio so that it is legible and scannable.
If your ad has the number “somewhere at the bottom” in tiny text, it is not compliant.
4.3 Penalties for Non-Compliance
For violating these QR code and display directions:
- MahaRERA may impose a penalty between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000 per non-compliant advertisement, based on the facts of the case.
- Continued non-compliance after a penalty can lead to additional action under the Act.
Separately, if an agent operates without registration or violates their obligations under Sections 9 and 10 of RERA, they can face:
- ₹10,000 per day of default, up to 5% of the cost of the unit(s) involved in the default
For a working agent, this is a serious financial and reputational risk.
Practical rule for agents and marketing teams:
No ad, post, reel cover, hoarding or flyer for a RERA project should go out without the project MahaRERA number, the MahaRERA website URL and the project QR code, all appropriately placed in the top-right quadrant with correct font size and visibility.
5. Complaints and Accountability
MahaRERA’s complaint mechanism covers both promoters and agents.
5.1 Complaint Fee
As per MahaRERA’s FAQs and current practice:
- Complaint fee: ₹5,000 per complaint (before the Authority or Adjudicating Officer), payable online at the time of filing.
For unregistered projects, an “Inform Non-Registration / Source Complaint” can also be filed, and if the informant wants a hearing, a fee of ₹5,000 is payable.
5.2 Complaint Process (Registered Projects)
An aggrieved person can:
- Create a user account on the MahaRERA portal
- File a complaint online in the prescribed form
- Add promoter, agent (or both) as respondents
- Upload supporting documents – ads, WhatsApp chats, emails, receipts, agreements, etc.
- Pay the fee online and obtain a complaint number
Hearings are frequently held in hybrid mode (online and in person), which makes it practical for homebuyers to pursue their cases. For agents, this means their spoken and written commitments, ads and messages can all be evaluated on record.
6. Quick Checklist
For Homebuyers
- Verify the agent’s registration number and status on the MahaRERA website
- Check if the agent is listed under “Real Estate Agent” / Project Professionals for that project
- Ensure every advertisement you rely on has a visible MahaRERA number, website and QR code in the top-right corner
- Preserve ads, chats and brochures as evidence
For Serious Agents
To work cleanly and build long-term credibility:
- Maintain an active, renewed MahaRERA registration
- Complete the 20-hour training and clear the IBPS-conducted exam to hold a valid Certificate of Competency
- Follow Order 46C/2025 strictly in every creative you publish or share
- Ensure your name appears correctly on MahaRERA as a project-tagged agent where you are officially involved
Done right, MahaRERA does not weaken genuine agents – it raises the floor and helps differentiate professionals from informal operators.
About the Author
Arosh John is a Thane–MMR-focused real estate expert, Founder of John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835) and Editor-in-Chief of Thane Real Estate News (TREN). With over a decade of hands-on experience across Thane’s residential micro-markets, villas, premium resales and NRI advisory, he specialises in MahaRERA-aligned consulting, project due diligence and transaction structuring, with a clear focus on clean documentation, regulatory compliance and long-term value creation for homebuyers, investors, NRIs and developers.
Disclaimer
This article is prepared based on the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, the Maharashtra Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017, and MahaRERA’s official guidelines, orders, FAQs and notice-board updates available as of 1 December 2025, and is intended solely for general informational purposes; it does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice, nor an official communication of MahaRERA or any government authority, and readers are advised to verify specific points on the official MahaRERA website and consult qualified professionals for advice on individual transactions, disputes or compliance decisions.
