Why RERA exists for this specific problem
Before the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, a delayed-possession dispute with a builder meant an ordinary, often slow civil suit. RERA created a dedicated state-level Real Estate Regulatory Authority specifically to handle builder-buyer disputes — including possession delays, project changes, and quality or documentation issues — through a process that's generally faster than civil court.
What you can actually claim
If a builder misses the possession date stated in the agreement, a buyer can typically seek one of two things through RERA: interest on the amount already paid for every month of delay until possession, or — if the delay is severe enough, or the buyer no longer wants the flat — a full refund of the amount paid, along with interest, by withdrawing from the project. Which is more sensible depends on how far along the project actually is and how much has already been paid.
What you'll need to bring
The builder-buyer agreement stating the promised possession date, proof of payments made, and any written communication about delays or excuses given are the core documents a RERA complaint relies on. Because the forum is designed to be more accessible than a civil suit, a complaint can often be filed without extensive procedural formality, though legal help still matters for how the claim is framed and what's asked for.