Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GujRERA) has tightened scrutiny of developers seeking registration for new projects, with nearly half of the applications examined so far found to involve promoters or partners facing pending complaints related to their earlier projects.The regulator adopted a stricter approach by requiring developers to resolve pending complaints, unpaid penalties and other dues before registering their fresh projects. In the past 15 days alone, around 10 new projects were granted conditional registrations, with promoters directed to clear outstanding issues within stipulated timelines before receiving full compliance, sources said.Officials said the enhanced scrutiny covers complaints filed by homebuyers as well as suo motu cases initiated by the authority.“We recently received applications from two builders who had unpaid penalties of Rs 70,000 and Rs 1 lakh for excess withdrawal in their previous projects. During scrutiny, we pointed out the pending dues. The builders cleared the penalties, following which their new projects were registered,” said a GujRERA official.The authority indicated that developers with more serious violations may face tougher action. According to officials, fresh registration can be denied where earlier projects involve unresolved complaints related to delayed possession or pending refunds until those issues are addressed.As part of the new mechanism, GujRERA will link a promoter’s record from previous projects with the registration details of new developments. The regulator is also preparing to display pending complaints from earlier projects on its public portal, allowing prospective homebuyers to review a promoter’s history before making investment decisions.Officials said the disclosure will not be limited to the lead promoter but will also extend to partners associated with unresolved matters in other projects. The authority is compiling and verifying past project records through PAN-based checks of promoters and project entities.Internal tracking of promoter history has already begun, while the public portal feature is expected to be introduced in the coming months.The move is intended to address a longstanding disclosure gap in the real estate sector, particularly among smaller and unorganised developers who often execute different projects through separate LLPs or partnership firms. According to sources, this structure has sometimes allowed promoters to keep details of problematic past projects out of public view by changing the project entity or partner composition.A senior GujRERA official said the revamped system will ensure such linkages are reflected consistently. “Even if one partner has an adverse history, it will show up in the new project’s registration details,” the official said. “Accountability and transparency are essential, and we want to send a clear message that complaints cannot be taken lightly.”
