To check a project on TNRERA, open the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority website (rera.tn.gov.in), look up the registration number or promoter name in the registered projects list, and compare the details with what the builder has told you. If a registered promoter breaks the law or your agreement, you can file a complaint with TNRERA in Form M, or claim compensation before its Adjudicating Officer in Form N. This guide walks through both, with a Coimbatore buyer in mind.
Key takeaways
- Every registered project in Tamil Nadu has a TNRERA number that must appear in its advertisements and brochures.
- Check the promoter, survey numbers, approvals and declared completion date on the portal, not just the number.
- Form M goes to the Authority for violations; Form N goes to the Adjudicating Officer for compensation.
- Complaints can be filed online, and TNRERA sits in Chennai, so Coimbatore buyers rarely need to travel for the first steps.
- Keep payment receipts, the registered agreement and all correspondence; these decide most cases.
Step 1: Find the registration number
A promoter must display the TNRERA registration number on every advertisement, hoarding, website and brochure for a registered project. If the number is missing from a project that clearly needs registration (land above 500 sq m, or more than eight units across phases), treat that as a red flag. You can read more about the thresholds in our RERA explainer.
Step 2: Search the TNRERA portal
- Go to rera.tn.gov.in and open the section listing registered projects.
- Search by registration number, project name, promoter name or district. Filter for Coimbatore where the option exists.
- Open the project page and check the registration status (registered, lapsed, revoked or extended).
- Download the uploaded documents: planning permission or DTCP/LPA layout approval, building permit, title deeds, encumbrance certificate and the approved plan.
- Look at the quarterly progress reports and the declared completion date.
What to compare
| Item on TNRERA | Compare it with | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Promoter name | The seller named in your agreement | A different company signing your agreement is a warning sign |
| Survey numbers and village | Patta, EC and sale deed of the land | Confirms the registration covers the land you are buying |
| Number of units or plots | Brochure and site plan | Extra floors or plots may be unapproved |
| Completion date | Date promised in your agreement | RERA remedies for delay are measured against the agreed date |
| Approval copies | Plan shown in the sales office | Any variation needs your consent under Section 14 |
For a plotted layout, also verify the approval with the planning authority as explained in our note on DTCP vs RERA approval.
Step 3: Verify the agent
Real estate agents who sell registered projects must also register with TNRERA. The same portal lists registered agents. An agent’s registration does not guarantee the project, but an unregistered agent pushing a registered project is worth questioning.
When and how to complain
You have two routes inside RERA, and choosing the right one saves months.
| Route | Form | Use it for | Fee (as per TNRERA circular) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint to TNRERA (Section 31) | Form M | Violations of the Act, rules or agreement: delay, refund with interest, change in plans, failure to register, missing documents | ₹1,000 plus ₹600 towards postage |
| Adjudicating Officer (Section 71) | Form N | Compensation for loss under Sections 12, 14, 18 and 19 | ₹5,000 plus ₹600 towards postage |
These fees come from TNRERA’s 2018 circular. Confirm the current amount on the portal before you pay. Following the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling in Newtech Promoters, refund and interest claims are decided by the Authority, while separate compensation claims go to the Adjudicating Officer.
Filing a Form M complaint
- Register on the TNRERA portal and choose the complaint option.
- Enter the project’s registration number and the promoter’s details.
- Describe the facts in date order: booking, agreement, payments, promised date, what went wrong.
- State the relief you want, for example refund with interest, or interest for every month of delay until possession.
- Upload the agreement for sale, allotment letter, payment receipts, bank statements, emails and any legal notice.
- Pay the fee online and note the complaint number.
Hearings are summary in nature and the Authority issues notice to the promoter. Many Coimbatore buyers find it helps to send a written notice to the promoter first; it creates a record and sometimes settles the matter.
After the order
Either side can appeal to the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Appellate Tribunal within 60 days. A promoter must deposit at least 30% of the penalty, or the full amount ordered in the buyer’s favour, before the appeal is heard. Unpaid amounts can be recovered as arrears of land revenue through the district administration.
TNRERA contact details
TNRERA’s office is at Door No. 1A, 1st Floor, Gandhi Irwin Bridge Road, Egmore, Chennai 600008. Online filing means most buyers in Coimbatore can start the process without visiting Chennai, although you may need to attend hearings in person or through a representative.
Frequently asked questions
Can I complain about a project that is not registered with TNRERA?
Yes. Failure to register a project that needs registration is itself a violation, and the Authority can act on a complaint. For small exempt projects, your remedy is usually a consumer commission or civil court.
Do I need a lawyer to file a TNRERA complaint?
No, individuals can file themselves. A lawyer helps in drafting reliefs, computing interest and handling hearings, especially when the amount is large.
Is there a time limit to file a RERA complaint?
The Act does not set a short limitation period for complaints to the Authority, but delay weakens your position. File soon after the promised date passes or the violation occurs.
How do I check whether a project registration has lapsed?
Open the project page on rera.tn.gov.in and look at the status and validity dates. An expired registration without an extension means the promoter cannot keep selling units.
This article is general information as of September 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change; confirm with a qualified advocate, chartered accountant or the relevant department before you act.
References
- TNRERA official website
- Tamil Nadu RERA Rules, 2017 (Rules 37 and 38)
- TNRERA complaint fee circular summary
Want a second pair of eyes on a project?
Our Coimbatore team can pull up the TNRERA record with you and flag gaps before you book.
