Tata Capital > Blog > Loan for Home > Everything About The West Bengal HIRA Vs RERA Act
30 October 2026
7 mins read
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The real estate business has become a growing sector in India. Before the RERA Act of 2016, no national regulatory law was overseeing this vast sector. It aimed to advance investments in the real estate market while defending the rights of purchasers. The Act mandated that each State government establish its own RERA policy structure and equivalent administrative panel, with each State government defining how these institutions will operate.
Following the central RERA Act, the West Bengal government has passed its version of the RERA (HIRA). It has been in charge of regulating the West Bengal property market since it was established in 2017. Like the RERA Act, the HIRA Act’s primary objectives are to promote and regularise the housing industry, ensure transparent property sales, and safeguard home buyers’ interests. HIRA has some differences from RERA. The article describes how HIRA and RERA differ from each other.
RERA Act stands for Real Estate Development and Regulatory Act. The Indian Parliament passed the Real Estate Act in 2016. The RERA act aims to safeguard home buyers’ rights while encouraging property investment. The law became effective on May 1, 2016.
Also, read – MahaRERA
The West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, often known as West Bengal HIRA, is a regulatory act established to oversee the real estate transactions of West Bengal. Similar to RERA, the main objective of this act is to safeguard the interests and address the needs of homebuyers. It also promotes a controlled and transparent housing sector trade.
Also, read – UPRERA
| For residential projects with a proposed landarea lesser than 2,000 sq. m. | Rs. 10 per sq. m. |
| For residential projects with a proposed land area of more than 2,000 sq. m. but less than 5,000 sq. m. | Rs. 20 per sq. m. |
| For residential projects, with a proposed land area of more than 5,000 sq. m., | Rs. 30 per sq. m. |
| For commercial projects | Rs. 30 per sq. m. |
| For individual agents | Rs. 25,000 |
| For anybody other than individual agents | Rs. 2,50,000 |
| Filing an appeal | Rs. 1,000 |
| Filing a complaint | Rs. 1,000 |
| Parameter | RERA Act | HIRA Act |
| Force majeure events | RERA limits force majeure events to natural disasters that interfere with the development of real estate projects as usual. | HIRA refers to natural disasters as “any other situations as may be prescribed”. |
| Planning area | The planning area has been designated by the government. | There is no distinct notion of a planning area. |
| Power of the regulatory authority | In case of any violations, RERA permits relevant authorities to send the matter suo moto to the Competition Commission of India (CCI). | There is no such clause in HIRA. |
| Factors for adjudging compensation or interest | The regulating body appoints an adjudicator to determine the payment or interest on real estate. | The regulating authority makes decisions about compensation under the HIRA. The position of an adjudicating officer does not exist. |
| Construction materials to be used | The RERA-instituted administration has the power to advise the relevant government on the selection of building materials. | The West Bengal Housing Industry Regulatory Authority may suggest using state-provided building supplies. |
| Garage area | According to RERA, a garage is defined as a three-sided covered area with a roof. It doesn’t include uncovered parking spaces or open parking lots. | HIRA does not impose such limitations on the definition of parking or garage spaces. |
Also, read – GUJRERA
The West Bengal RERA introduction marked an important step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in the state’s real estate sector. West Bengal RERA aligns with the broader Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, and is implemented through the state authority to regulate residential and commercial projects.
The framework lays down clear WBRERA rules for project registration, disclosures, and timelines, helping protect homebuyers’ interests. Through defined WBRERA regulations, developers are required to maintain compliance, share accurate project information, and follow standardised practices, creating a more structured and buyer-friendly property market.
The implementation of WBRERA has brought a notable shift in West Bengal’s real estate landscape by enhancing transparency and accountability for both buyers and developers.
The WBRERA impact on homebuyers is evident through better access to verified project information, structured timelines, and formal grievance redressal mechanisms, boosting confidence in property investments.
Likewise, the WBRERA impact on builders includes clearer compliance expectations and improved credibility as registered developers. These changes underpin key West Bengal RERA benefits, such as reduced disputes and more reliable project delivery. Overall, WBRERA effects on real estate strengthen trust in the market, encouraging fairer practices and greater buyer protection across transactions.
From the analysis conducted by the Supreme Court of India, it was discovered that over 95% of clauses in HIRA were similar to those in RERA. West Bengal’s HIRA was inevitably declared “unconstitutional” in May 2021 for the same reason. While both acts tried to introduce equality and fairness in the real estate sector, it can be concluded that they are more or less identical. Follow Tata Capital to stay up to date on the latest real estate news. Additionally, Tata Capital also offers a variety of financing options to prospective home buyers.
In West Bengal, the difference between HIRA and RERA lies in regulatory alignment and consumer protection. HIRA was a state-specific law, while RERA is a central framework offering stronger transparency, standardised disclosures, and faster dispute resolution. This difference between HIRA and RERA directly impacts buyer safeguards.
No, after the Supreme Court ruling, real estate regulation in West Bengal aligns with RERA, not HIRA. The Hira vs. RERA debate was settled in favour of RERA, making Hira vs. RERA comparisons largely irrelevant for current homebuyers and developers.
WBRERA safeguards homebuyers by ensuring project registration, timely possession, transparent disclosures, and a structured grievance redressal process. To understand these protections better, it helps to know what is the RERA Act, as WBRERA aligns with its core objective of promoting accountability and buyer confidence.
Homebuyers can file complaints under West Bengal RERA by submitting an online application on the official WBRERA portal. The process involves registering, selecting the relevant project or promoter, uploading supporting documents, and paying the prescribed fee for grievance redressal.
Under HIRA and RERA, developer registration fees differ based on project size and type, reflecting the difference between RERA and HIRA. Be sure to visit the online portal or consult a real estate agent to under the registration fee difference between RERA and HIRA.
Yes, homebuyers can approach consumer forums or file complaints with RERA authorities, depending on the nature of the dispute. Understanding what is the rera act helps buyers choose the right legal forum, as RERA courts specifically address real estate–related grievances efficiently.
The new West Bengal RERA framework helps streamline the handling of ongoing cases by providing clearer regulatory oversight. It also highlights the difference between hira and rera, ensuring greater consistency, faster dispute resolution, and improved protection for homebuyers and developers alike.
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