K-Rera wants citizens to spot unregistered properties

Faced with staff shortage and the impossible task of verifying the registration of every property, the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-Rera) has reached out to people.

It has asked the public to be its eyes and ears to report unregistered properties. Officials said its recent public notice to educate people on the Rera Act was also an attempt to seek their help.

While Rera is not new, it is not very well known, which is a challenge. “People should be informed (about Rera) and they should inform us if they get to know of any unregistered property,” K-Rera chairman M R Kamble said.

Kamble reasoned the decision to seek public help. Officials usually run through advertisements issued by realtors to verify the details, but the department is short-staffed and it is also challenging to physically verify all the properties.

Citizens can check the Rera website at the builder’s office to ascertain the registration details. They can also demand a copy of the registration from the builders. If the builders fail to produce the copy, citizens should report them to K-Rera, an official said.

Most are not aware that the builder is required to present a copy of the registration or share the online details with the buyers.

Officials said they also came across cases where builders and realtors have diverted the funds allocated and kept aside in the escrow account, a violation of the Rera Act which buyers should promptly report.

Kamble admitted that the authority was not aware of all methods of irregularities and it is incumbent on the citizens to report them.