Display QR code in ads or face up to Rs 50,000 fine, Maharashtra builders warned
Even after imposition of the penalty, if the promoter fails to rectify and remedy the violation within 10 days, appropriate action will be taken against him, said a MahaRERA official.
MUMBAI: From August 1, prominently display the QR code of the real estate project in advertisements on various mediums or face a penalty ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has told developers across the state.
Even after imposition of the penalty, if the promoter fails to rectify and remedy the violation within 10 days, appropriate action will be taken against him, said a MahaRERA official.
“The idea behind making the QR code available in all advertisements is to ensure that information about the project is available at the fingertips of prospective homebuyers. They need not go to the MahaRERA website and enter the registration number to get details of a project,” explained the MahaRERA official.
“All that the prospective homebuyer needs to do is scan the QR code using his or her phone and get all information about the project such as commencement and completion date, approvals granted, number of flats, number of units booked, modifications in the approved plan, project extensions, and if any complaints have been made or warrants issued against the project.”
While it is already mandatory for developers to display the registration number and MahaRERA website address on project advertisements in any medium, from August 1, they also have to display the QR codes.
MahaRERA had started issuing QR codes for new projects registered in March. Later, it initiated the process of issuing QR codes for old projects too. “Developers choose various formats for advertisements. It may range from newspapers, magazines, flyers, brochures, catalogues, and leaflets in the print medium, to standees at various locations, projects sites and project sales offices. They also advertise on websites and social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook. On all these platforms, the QR codes have to be displayed, except in cases of large hoardings, where scanning a QR code may not be possible for a home buyer,” the official added.
Earlier this year, the regulatory body had sent notices to 197 developers in the state for issuing advertisements of their projects without mentioning the registration numbers, and after conducting hearings, fines ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, totalling to Rs 18.3 lakh were imposed on 90 of them. Of the 18.3 lakh, nearly Rs 11.9 lakh has been recovered.
Source: realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com
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