MahaRERA Deregisters 19,000 Agents in Major Compliance Drive

MahaRERA’s Compliance Crackdown: Nearly 19,000 Agents Deregistered Across Maharashtra

In a sweeping move to elevate standards in India’s real estate sector, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has deregistered nearly 19,000 property agents, sending a strong message that regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. This action, impacting 18,693 brokers—including 3,476 from Pune—marks one of the largest crackdowns since MahaRERA’s inception in 2017.

A Sector Transformed by Regulation

Since May 2017, MahaRERA has registered over 50,673 agents, but only 31,980 remain active today. The mass deregistration was triggered by agents failing to renew licenses or complete the mandatory training and certification required by the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. Training modules cover essential topics like model sale agreements, allotment letters, carpet area, and defect liability periods—knowledge crucial for guiding homebuyers through transparent transactions.

Why So Many Agents Lost Their License

Many agents did not comply with the new rules, while others let their licenses lapse, especially those operating mainly in the secondary resale market, which often falls outside MahaRERA’s direct purview. However, MahaRERA’s updated rules from January 2024 made certification mandatory for all new and renewing agents, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Regional Impact and National Reach

• Mumbai city: 2,463 agents
• Mumbai suburbs: 5,538 agents
• Thane: 4,303 agents
• Pune: 3,476 agents

Despite this, Maharashtra still leads India in registered property agents, with the Konkan region (including Mumbai) at 21,050, Pune at 8,205, and significant numbers in Nagpur, North Maharashtra, Sambhajinagar, and Amravati.

MahaRERA’s influence is national, with agents from over 150 cities—including Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad—registered with the authority, underlining Maharashtra’s pivotal role in shaping best practices for India’s property market.

Raising the Bar for Professionalism

MahaRERA stands out as the first state regulator to make certification a condition for operating, emphasizing formal training and consumer protection. Since January 2023, training and certification have been prioritized, ensuring agents are well-informed and trustworthy—the first point of contact for homebuyers.

This decisive move reinforces that regulatory compliance is central to maintaining consumer trust and industry integrity, setting a new benchmark for professionalism in Indian real estate.