1. Introduction

Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 and its subsequent Rules have long mandated that promoters and registered real estate agents clearly disclose their MahaRERA registration details and website address in all project-related advertisements. While earlier provisions required the inclusion of these details, recent orders have refined the standards for how these disclosures must be presented. The new directions, encapsulated in Order No. 46C/2025 dated 08.04.2025, introduce specific requirements regarding font size, positioning, and the proper display of a Quick Response (QR) code. These enhancements are intended to improve transparency, consumer protection, and ease of access to project information.

2. Old Provisions

General Disclosure Requirements

• Mandatory Information: Earlier, under Section 11(2) of the Act and Rule 14(2) of the Maharashtra Real Estate Rules (2017), all advertisements were required to mention the promoter’s MahaRERA registration number and website address. Registered real estate agents were also required to quote their agent registration numbers and the project registration number.
• Display Standards: Prior orders (such as Order No. 46/2023 dated 29.05.2023 and subsequent related orders) emphasized that the MahaRERA details and website should be prominently displayed in advertisements. However, these directions lacked detailed instructions regarding the size, specific placement, or colour usage necessary to ensure high visibility.
• Practical Implications: As a result, promoters and agents sometimes displayed these details in a non-uniform manner. Variances in font sizes, colour contrasts, and placement could compromise readability and limit the ease with which prospective homebuyers could access official project information.

3. New Provisions

Enhanced Display Guidelines

• Font Size Requirements: The MahaRERA registration number and website address must be printed in a font size that is equal to or larger than that used for the project’s contact details and address. In advertisements where contact details use multiple font sizes, the largest font used for these details determines the minimum font size for the MahaRERA number.
• Placement Requirements: Both the registration number and website address are to be placed in the top-right quadrant of advertisements. This prescribed placement is intended to offer a consistent and easily locatable area for consumers to find critical regulatory information.
• QR Code Display: The QR Code must be displayed correctly, with proper aspect ratio and positioning.
  • It should be legible, readable, and detectable by standard QR code scanning applications.
  • Like the registration details, the QR Code is also required to be in the top-right quadrant, ensuring that all official information is consolidated in one prime location.

Rationale for the New Provisions

These specific guidelines are designed to eliminate variations in advertisement formats that could undermine consumer awareness. By standardizing the display of MahaRERA details, the Authority aims to:

• Enhance transparency, allowing homebuyers quick access to project verification and details.
• Promote uniformity, ensuring that regardless of the medium, printed flyers, newspapers, online adverts, or brochures, consumers encounter the same reliable branding and regulatory information.
• Improve consumer protection, by forcing promoters and real estate agents to adhere to consistent standards, thereby reducing opportunities for misrepresentation.

4. Comparative Analysis:

5. Operational Implications

For Promoters and Registered Real Estate Agents

• Design and Layout Adjustments: Advertisements across all media including newspapers, brochures, websites, and social media must now be revised to meet the new display standards. This involves updating design templates and ensuring that design teams are aware of the new criteria.
• Enhanced Consumer Access: Proper placement and legibility mean that homebuyers can quickly verify project authenticity by scanning the QR code or verifying the registration details, thus fostering greater trust in the promotional material.
• Compliance and Penalties: There is now a clear and enforceable set of rules with significant monetary penalties for non-compliance. Consistent non-adherence (if not rectified within 10 days of imposing a penalty) may lead to additional regulatory actions. This underscores the importance of strict compliance from all market participants.

For the Regulatory Authority

• Uniformity of Advertisements: With the new provisions, MahaRERA can achieve a more standardized look across all advertisements, simplifying monitoring and enforcement.
• Consumer Protection Focus: Enhanced guidelines aim to minimize deceptive practices and ensure that all advertising clearly conveys essential project verification details, thereby protecting consumer interests.

6. Conclusion

The updated guidelines for the display of QR Codes, registration numbers, and website addresses in advertisements represent a significant step forward in standardizing real estate disclosures in Maharashtra. While the earlier provisions fulfilled the basic requirement of disclosure, the new Order No. 46C/2025 provides detailed specifications to ensure maximum legibility and uniformity across all promotional material. These changes not only bolster transparency and consumer trust but also impose stricter compliance measures and penalties for non-adherence—reinforcing the overall integrity of the real estate market.

Adhering to these new norms will ensure that prospective homebuyers have easy, immediate access to authenticated project information, thereby supporting a more secure and transparent transaction environment.