MahaRERA Advertising Rules 2026: The Compliance Checklist to Run Before Your Next Launch

MahaRERA is now penalising developers over how their advertisements look, not just what they claim. In July 2026 the authority took suo motu action against a Pune developer because the registration number, website and QR code in an ad were printed in a smaller font than the contact details, a direct breach of the display rules in force since April 2025. Penalties run from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 per non compliant advertisement. For a developer running a multi channel launch campaign, that is a per creative risk that adds up fast, and it is entirely avoidable.

The rules are not new. The enforcement is. That gap is where developers are getting caught.

Compliance here is a sales problem before it is a legal one. If your channel partners cannot legally push your creatives, your launch loses momentum on day one.

What do the MahaRERA advertising rules actually require?

Every advertisement for a registered project must display the MahaRERA registration number, the website address and a scannable QR code, in a specific way. Order 46C/2025, effective 8 April 2025, spells out the format. The registration number, website and QR code go in the top right quadrant of the creative. The font size of the registration number and website must be equal to or larger than the largest font used for the project’s contact details and address. The QR code must keep its correct aspect ratio and link to the project’s MahaRERA page.

This covers everything. Print, hoardings, brochures, prospectus, digital ads and social media. There is no informal channel exemption. A WhatsApp forward with your creative counts.

Why is MahaRERA cracking down now?

Because the earlier mandate was widely ignored or gamed. The QR code requirement dates back to 2023, but the authority found developers either skipping it or burying it, tiny QR codes, distorted aspect ratios, registration numbers in fine print that no buyer would read. Order 46C/2025 closed those loopholes by fixing the position, the font hierarchy and the scan quality, and 2026 enforcement is now testing whether developers actually comply.

The Pune penalty is the signal. The ad was not misleading, and it did carry the required details. It still drew action because the details were smaller than the contact number. Font size alone was the violation.

Do your channel partners also need to comply?

Yes, and this is the part developers underestimate. The advertising rules bind registered agents too, so every creative your channel pushes carries the same obligation. On top of that, an agent must hold a valid MahaRERA Certificate of Competency, earned through training and an exam and valid for five years, to register or renew, and since 2026 registered agents must also file half yearly progress reports, due 15 January and 15 July, even for nil activity.

The practical takeaway. Before you activate a channel network for a launch, confirm your partners are properly certified and brief them on the ad format, because a penalty on their creative is a problem on your project. A well governed [channel partner activation](https://palladian.in/our-services/) treats compliance as part of the onboarding, not an afterthought.

The pre launch compliance checklist

Run this before a single creative goes live.

Confirm the project’s MahaRERA registration number and QR code are correct and the QR scans to the right project page. Place the registration number, website and QR code in the top right quadrant of every creative. Set the font of the registration number and website equal to or larger than the largest font used for your contact details and address. Apply this to all formats, print, hoardings, brochures, digital and social, with no exceptions. Verify every channel partner holds a valid Certificate of Competency and is tagged correctly on MahaRERA. Keep a record of approved creatives so a 10 day rectification notice, if it ever comes, is easy to answer.

None of this is hard. It just has to be done before launch, not after a notice. Getting a launch to market cleanly, with the marketing, the channel and the compliance aligned, is exactly what a well run [sales mandate](https://palladian.in/what-is-a-real-estate-sales-mandate-a-guide-for-developers/) is for.

Launching soon and want the compliance handled?

A clean, compliant launch campaign protects both your budget and your momentum. If you want your marketing and channel activation set up right the first time, with MahaRERA compliance built in, Palladian can help. Reach the team at info@palladian.in or +91 22 4299 9999, or through the [contact page](https://palladian.in/contact-us/).

FAQs :

What must a MahaRERA compliant advertisement include?

Every advertisement for a MahaRERA registered project must display the registration number, the website address and a scannable QR code linking to the project's MahaRERA page. These must sit in the top right quadrant, and the registration number and website font must be equal to or larger than the largest font used for contact details.

What is the penalty for a non compliant real estate ad in Maharashtra?

Under Order 46C/2025, MahaRERA can impose a penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 per non compliant advertisement. Developers get a 10 day window to correct a flagged violation, after which it is treated as a continuing offence subject to further action under the Act.

Does the QR code rule apply to social media and WhatsApp?

Yes. The rules cover all formats, including print, hoardings, brochures, prospectus, digital ads and social media. There is no exemption for informal channels, so creatives shared on social platforms or messaging apps must also carry the required display.

Do real estate agents need a Certificate of Competency?

Yes. A registered MahaRERA agent must hold a valid Certificate of Competency, earned through training and an exam and valid for five years, to obtain or renew registration. Since 2026, registered agents must also file half yearly progress reports, due 15 January and 15 July, even if they had no transactions.