Registering a real estate project under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 is an important legal requirement for developers and promoters. Before submitting an application, one of the key things to understand is the RERA registration fee.

However, calculating this fee can be confusing because there is no single registration fee applicable across India. Every State and Union Territory has its own RERA Authority, rules and fee structure. The amount may depend on factors such as the project category, land area, total floor area and other prescribed criteria.

In this guide, we explain how RERA registration fees are calculated, highlight the fee structures of selected states and discuss the important factors developers should consider before applying.

1. What Is a RERA Registration Fee?

A RERA registration fee is the prescribed amount that a promoter or developer must pay to the respective State Real Estate Regulatory Authority when applying to register a real estate project.

Under Section 3 of the RERA Act, 2016, eligible real estate projects must be registered with the appropriate RERA Authority before the promoter advertises, markets, books, sells or offers units for sale.

The registration fee is prescribed under the respective state's RERA rules. Therefore, the amount payable in Maharashtra may differ from the amount payable in Karnataka, Kerala, Haryana or another state.

2. How Is RERA Registration Fee Calculated?

The calculation method depends on the rules applicable in the state where the project is located.

Some authorities calculate fees using the land area proposed to be developed, while others consider the total floor area or the category of the project.

The commonly considered factors include:

• Land area: Total area of land proposed to be developed, generally measured in square metres.

• Project category: Residential, commercial, mixed-use or plotted development.

• Floor area: Applicable in states where fees are linked to total floor area.

• Minimum and maximum limits: Some states prescribe a minimum fee or a maximum fee.

• Additional charges: Applicable processing, portal or other prescribed charges may be payable separately.

Basic calculation example

Suppose a state prescribes a registration fee of ₹10 per square metre on the land area proposed to be developed.

If the project has a land area of 5,000 square metres:

Registration Fee = 5,000 × ₹10

Total Registration Fee = ₹50,000

This is only an illustrative calculation. The actual amount depends on the applicable state rules, project category and any prescribed minimum or maximum limit.

3. State-Wise RERA Registration Fee Structure in India

RERA registration fees differ from one state to another. Below is an overview of selected major states and the way their fee structures work.

Maharashtra – MahaRERA

Maharashtra follows the Maharashtra Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017, including the amendments introduced in 2019.

For regular real estate projects, the registration fee is calculated at ₹10 per square metre of the land proposed to be developed, subject to a minimum of ₹10,000 and a maximum of ₹10 lakh.

For plotted development, the prescribed rate is ₹5 per square metre.

Example: If a regular project has a land area of 8,000 square metres:

8,000 × ₹10 = ₹80,000.

Therefore, the indicative registration fee is ₹80,000, subject to the applicable rules.

Official Authority: https://maharera.maharashtra.gov.in/

Karnataka – Karnataka RERA

Karnataka follows a category-based fee structure under its RERA Rules, 2017.

The prescribed rates differ for group housing, mixed development, commercial projects and plotted development. The fee is calculated using the area of land proposed to be developed, with different rates and maximum limits for different categories.

For example, the prescribed rates include:

• Group housing: ₹5 per sq. m. up to 1,000 sq. m. and ₹10 per sq. m. above 1,000 sq. m.; maximum ₹5 lakh.

• Mixed development: ₹10 per sq. m. up to 1,000 sq. m. and ₹15 per sq. m. above 1,000 sq. m.; maximum ₹7 lakh.

• Commercial projects: ₹20 per sq. m. up to 1,000 sq. m. and ₹25 per sq. m. above 1,000 sq. m.; maximum ₹10 lakh.

• Plotted development: ₹5 per sq. m.; maximum ₹2 lakh.

Promoters should verify the applicable category and calculation on the Karnataka RERA portal before payment.

Official Authority: https://rera.karnataka.gov.in/

Kerala – Kerala RERA

Kerala follows a fee structure that considers both the layout area and, for certain project categories, the total floor area.

The published project registration fee schedule includes:

The applicable project category and area measurements should be checked before calculating the final fee.

Official Authority: https://rera.kerala.gov.in/

Haryana – Haryana RERA

Haryana has prescribed standard fees for processing project registration applications.

For the Gurugram authority's published standard fee schedule:

• Residential, commercial and industrial projects: ₹10 per sq. m. of total floor area as per FAR.

• Plotted colonies: ₹10 per sq. m. of the total area of the plotted colony.

The calculation is therefore based on the applicable area measure rather than simply applying a uniform rate to every project.

Official Authority: https://haryanarera.gov.in/

Uttar Pradesh – UP RERA

Uttar Pradesh has an online project registration fee calculator.

Promoters can use the official UP RERA fee calculator by selecting the project type and category and entering the total area in square metres. The portal provides the applicable registration fee.

Since the calculation is category-based, developers should use the official calculator rather than relying on a general rate.

Official Fee Calculator: https://www.up-rera.in/fees

Telangana – Telangana RERA

Telangana follows its own project registration fee provisions under the Telangana Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017.

The fee depends on the prescribed project category and applicable area-based slabs. For example, the published rules identify separate categories for group housing and mixed development, with different rates and maximum fee limits.

Promoters should refer to the latest Telangana RERA rules and portal instructions to determine the amount payable for their particular project.

Official Authority: https://rera.telangana.gov.in/

Other States and Union Territories

Other states and Union Territories also have their own RERA Authorities and fee schedules, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Goa, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Delhi.

The fee calculation may vary based on the applicable state rules, project category and area considered. Developers should consult the relevant authority's official portal for the latest fee schedule and payment instructions.

4. Important Factors to Check Before Calculating RERA Fees

Before submitting a project registration application, developers should carefully verify the following:

1. Correct project category

Identify whether the project is residential, commercial, mixed-use or plotted development. Different categories may attract different fee rates.

2. Correct area measurement

Check whether the applicable fee is based on the land area, total layout area or total floor area. Using the wrong area figure can result in an incorrect calculation.

3. Minimum and maximum fee limits

Some states prescribe minimum and maximum registration fees. The final amount must be calculated after applying these limits.

4. Project phases

If a development is being registered in separate phases, check the applicable requirements and fee calculation for each phase.

5. Latest amendments and portal charges

State rules and authority orders may be updated. Also check whether any separate processing or portal charges apply to the application.

5. Is RERA Registration Fee the Same as RERA Extension Fee?

No. Project registration fees and extension fees are separate charges.

A registration fee is paid when applying for the initial registration of a project. An extension fee is payable when the promoter applies to extend the validity of an existing project registration, as prescribed by the relevant state rules.

The extension fee may be calculated differently from the initial registration fee. Some authorities may also provide specific provisions for extensions arising from force majeure circumstances.

Developers should check the applicable state rules before submitting an extension application.

6. What Happens If a Developer Does Not Register the Project?

Registering an eligible project is a legal requirement under RERA.

Under Section 3 of the Act, promoters cannot advertise, market, book, sell or offer for sale units in a project requiring registration without obtaining the necessary registration.

Under Section 59, non-registration can attract a penalty of up to 10% of the estimated cost of the real estate project. Continued violation after an order can also attract imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine, or both, as provided under the Act.

Therefore, developers should complete the registration process and obtain the required registration number before starting marketing or sales activities.

7. Common Mistakes Developers Should Avoid

While calculating and paying RERA registration fees, developers should avoid these common mistakes:

• Applying the fee rate of another state to their project.

• Selecting the wrong project category.

• Using an incorrect land or floor area measurement.

• Ignoring the minimum and maximum fee limits.

• Overlooking applicable amendments and additional charges.

• Confusing project registration fees with agent registration or extension fees.

• Making payment without verifying the amount generated by the official portal.

Even a small calculation error can lead to payment discrepancies or delays in the application process.

8. How RERA Vision Can Help Developers

Understanding RERA registration requirements involves more than calculating the applicable fee. Developers must also prepare the required documents, verify project details, complete the application process and ensure that the necessary disclosures are submitted correctly.

At RERA Vision, we assist developers with RERA-related compliance and advisory requirements, including:

• New project RERA registration.

• Project extension applications.

• Correction and modification applications.

• Documentation and application support.

• Project compliance and regulatory guidance.

• Assistance with ongoing MahaRERA requirements.

Our objective is to help developers navigate the regulatory process with better clarity and ensure that important compliance requirements are addressed.

Final Thoughts

RERA registration fees in India vary across states, and there is no single formula applicable to every real estate project. The calculation may depend on the project's category, land area, total floor area and the fee limits prescribed by the respective authority.

For developers, understanding the applicable fee structure before filing an application can help avoid incorrect payments, unnecessary delays and compliance issues.

Before making any payment, always verify the latest fee schedule and amount generated on the official RERA portal of the respective state.

Need assistance with MahaRERA registration, extension or compliance? Connect with RERA Vision for professional guidance.