# How to File a MahaRERA Complaint for Flat Repair After Possession (2026 Guide) If you've moved into your flat and you're still fighting the builder over leakage, seepage or safety issues, you are not out of options just because you signed the possession letter. A recent order shows exactly why. ## The Case That Proves Your RERA Rights Don't End at Possession According to a report on realestatemumbai.com, MahaRERA has ordered repairs at Crescent Bay, Parel in Mumbai — years after homeowners took possession — after flagging unresolved leakage and fire-safety gaps in the project. This is worth paying attention to whether you own a flat in Mumbai or anywhere else in India, because it confirms something a lot of owners get wrong: getting your keys and moving in is not the end of your legal recourse. If defects surface later, or were never properly fixed, the regulator can still step in. This guide walks through the actual process of filing a RERA complaint for post-possession repair issues — using MahaRERA as the primary example, with a comparison for owners in Noida, Bengaluru and Gurugram further down. ## When Can You File a Complaint After Possession? RERA complaints about physical defects are usually valid when: - The defect falls within the **defect liability period** referenced in your agreement for sale (structural defects are commonly covered for up to five years from possession under Section 14(3) of the RERA Act, 2016, though your specific agreement terms govern the exact scope). - You raised the issue with the builder in writing and they failed to rectify it within a reasonable time. - The issue relates to workmanship, structural quality, fire-safety compliance, or plumbing/waterproofing that the builder was responsible for. If your defect fits this description, you don't need to accept "it's out of warranty" as the final word without actually checking your agreement and the applicable defect liability clause. ## Step-by-Step: How to File a MahaRERA Complaint for Flat Repair ### Step 1: Document the defect thoroughly Photograph and video the leakage, seepage, cracks or fire-safety gap. Note the date each time it recurs. If a structural engineer or contractor has assessed it, keep their written note. ### Step 2: Send the builder a written notice Email and courier a formal complaint to the builder/promoter describing the defect, referencing your possession date, and asking for rectification within a specific timeframe. Keep proof of delivery — this notice is usually treated as evidence that you gave the builder a chance to fix the issue first. ### Step 3: Confirm the correct RERA authority File with the authority for the state where the project is registered — MahaRERA for Maharashtra projects like Crescent Bay, UP-RERA for Noida/Ghaziabad, Karnataka RERA for Bengaluru, or HRERA Gurugram for Haryana projects. ### Step 4: File the complaint online Register on the relevant RERA portal, select the complaint category, enter the project's RERA registration number, and upload your evidence — photos, the builder notice, your allotment and possession letters, and the agreement for sale. ### Step 5: Pay the applicable filing fee A nominal filing fee applies and is notified on each state's portal. Check the current fee schedule before submitting, since it can be revised by the authority. ### Step 6: Attend the hearing RERA authorities typically schedule a hearing where you and the builder present your case. Carry physical copies of everything you uploaded online. ### Step 7: Track the order and follow up Once an order is passed — as it was for Crescent Bay — track compliance. If the builder still doesn't act, you can pursue enforcement of the order. ## What to Include With Your Complaint (Checklist) - Copy of the agreement for sale / allotment letter - Possession letter with date - Project's RERA registration number - Dated photos/videos of the defect - Written notice sent to the builder and proof of delivery - Any third-party inspection or engineer's report - Correspondence showing the builder's response (or non-response) ## MahaRERA vs UP-RERA vs Karnataka RERA vs HRERA Gurugram: Where to File | State/City covered | Regulatory Authority | Applies to projects registered in | Online portal | |---|---|---|---| | Mumbai, Pune, rest of Maharashtra | MahaRERA | Maharashtra | maharera.mahaonline.gov.in | | Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad | UP-RERA | Uttar Pradesh | up-rera.in | | Bengaluru and rest of Karnataka | Karnataka RERA (K-RERA) | Karnataka | rera.karnataka.gov.in | | Gurugram and rest of Haryana | HRERA Gurugram | Haryana (Gurugram jurisdiction) | haryanarera.gov.in | Always confirm the project's actual RERA registration number and state before filing — this is listed on your allotment letter and agreement for sale, and it determines which authority has jurisdiction over your case. ## Common Mistakes That Delay or Weaken Your Complaint - **Skipping the written notice to the builder.** Authorities generally expect you to show you gave the promoter a chance to fix things first. - **No dated evidence.** A single undated photo is weaker than a documented timeline showing the defect recurring. - **Filing with the wrong authority.** Filing in the wrong state delays your case; always check where the project is registered, not where you currently live. - **Ignoring the defect liability clause in your own agreement.** Read what your builder actually committed to before assuming a defect isn't covered. - **Not following up after an order.** As the Crescent Bay case shows, orders sometimes need active follow-through before repairs actually happen. ## The Bigger Picture for Owners The Crescent Bay, Parel order is a reminder, not an isolated story: RERA's job doesn't end at handover, and neither does your right to raise a legitimate defect. If you're researching a project before you buy, checking its RERA registration, litigation history and past complaint record is just as important as checking the price and floor plan. If you already own and are dealing with an unresolved issue, the process above is the same one that led to the Crescent Bay order — document, notify, file, follow up. --- *This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult the relevant RERA authority or a qualified legal professional.*