UP RERA Bars Blanket Consent for Building Plan Changes

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) has directed real estate developers to stop obtaining blanket consent from homebuyers for changes to approved building plans.

Promoters must first disclose the complete details of proposed modifications in writing. They must then obtain written consent from at least two-thirds of the project's allottees before approaching the competent authority for approval.

The directive aims to protect homebuyers from undisclosed changes to sanctioned project plans.

UP RERA observed that some developers were collecting general consent without explaining the specific modifications. Such practices could give promoters excessive freedom to alter approved plans without adequately informing buyers.

Developers Must Disclose Complete Modification Details

Under the new guidelines, developers must provide clear information about every proposed modification. The disclosure must explain how the changes could affect individual apartments and shared spaces.

The information provided to homebuyers must include:

• Changes to the carpet area of individual residential units.
• Modifications to common areas and shared spaces.
• Details of additions or deletions from the approved building plans.
• Specific particulars of the proposed changes to project specifications.

Homebuyers must receive these details before being asked to provide their consent. General approvals without information about the actual modifications will not be accepted by the authority.

UP RERA Introduces Standard Consent Format

The regulatory authority has decided to introduce a standard format for collecting written consent from allottees.

Developers must use this prescribed format when seeking approval for changes to sanctioned plans.

The consent documents must be submitted along with the revised sanctioned plans and amendments to the project inventory.

Promoters must also provide a list of allottees containing their addresses, mobile numbers and email IDs. These details will help the competent authority verify the submitted consent records.

UP RERA chairman Sanjay Bhoosareddy said homebuyers must be fully informed before providing consent. He clarified that blanket or generic approvals without complete modification details would not be accepted.

Also Read: UP RERA Registers 217 Projects Worth Rs 46,795 Cr

Section 14 of RERA Act Protects Homebuyer Rights

The directive reinforces the requirements under Section 14 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

This provision requires promoters to follow the sanctioned plans and specifications approved by the competent authority.

Under Section 14, developers cannot independently make major changes to approved building plans and specifications after these have been disclosed to homebuyers.

Such modifications require written consent from at least two-thirds of the allottees. The consent must also accompany the application submitted for approval of revised plans.

For this purpose, allottees include buyers who have purchased units and executed an agreement for sale or builder-buyer agreement with the promoter.

Also Read: UP RERA Clears 17 Projects Worth ₹4,844 Crore in UP

Greater Transparency in Real Estate Projects

UP RERA said it had received applications from developers seeking approval for revised building plans without first obtaining the required written consent.

In some cases, the consent submitted did not contain specific information about the proposed modifications.

The authority considers these practices inconsistent with RERA requirements and the legal rights of homebuyers.

The new guidelines are intended to improve transparency, strengthen accountability and ensure that buyers understand proposed changes before approving them.

The prescribed consent process will require developers to provide specific information and follow the statutory approval requirements before modifying sanctioned project plans.

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