What the Act says about advertisements
On 9 October 2026 we read the advertisement guidelines. The Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority published them. They set out these provisions of the Act.
- Section 3(1): a promoter cannot advertise or sell a plot, flat or building in a project. It must be registered first.
- Section 11(1)(a) and 11(2): the promoter must show the project's registration number. It must appear on the website and in any advertisement.
- Section 11(2): the promoter must also give the authority a copy of the prospectus, brochure or pamphlet.
- Section 12: a false statement can hurt a buyer. If that buyer wants to leave the project, the money they put in must be returned with interest.
This is a summary by a state authority. Read the exact text of the Act and your state's rules before you rely on it.
State rules may add more
Each state has its own RERA authority and its own rules under the Act. Those rules can add details, for example how the registration number must be shown. Check the rules of the state where the project stands.
A made-up example
Say a builder in Pune plans to launch a housing project. This is a made-up example. The builder registers the project first. Only then does the team print brochures, put up hoardings and run online ads.
- Every ad, brochure and landing page shows the project's registration number.
- The number is easy to read, in clear type and not tucked into a corner.
- The copy says only what the builder will deliver. Pictures show the real plan.
- A copy of the brochure goes to the state authority.
How it works for an Indian business
Real estate promotion is allowed. Developers, agents and marketing teams run hoardings, newspaper ads, social ads and search ads for projects. The duty is to register first and keep every claim true. A marketing team should ask for the registration number and the approved details first.
Common mistakes
- Advertising or taking bookings before the project is registered.
- Leaving the registration number off an ad or a landing page.
- Showing amenities, sizes or dates that are not in the project plan.
- Using a render that shows something the builder will not build.
- Copying an ad from one state to another without checking the local rules.
India's ad regulator also expects ads to be honest. Read about ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India) for that.
Related terms
- ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India): India's body for self-regulation of ads.
- OOH (out of home advertising): hoardings and other ads outside the home.
- 3D walkthrough: a computer-made tour of a project that is not built yet.
- Lead generation: getting enquiries from people who may buy.
To plan a launch that follows the rules, see our project launch campaigns work.
Sources
- Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority, "Provisions of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016", advertisement guidelines (rera.ap.gov.in/RERA/Views/AdvertisementGuidelines.aspx), read 9 October 2026. It summarises Sections 3(1), 11(1)(a), 11(2) and 12.
