Yes, if your builder in Pune has failed to hand over possession within the timeline promised in the agreement for sale, you are fully entitled to file a RERA complaint. The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 was enacted precisely to protect homebuyers from such delays, and Maharashtra RERA (MahaRERA) is the regulatory authority with jurisdiction over Pune projects. Under Section 18 of the Act, if a promoter fails to complete or hand over possession as per the agreed date, the buyer has the right to either withdraw from the project and claim a full refund with interest, or continue with the project and claim monthly interest compensation for the delay.

The first step is to check whether the project is registered with MahaRERA, since only registered projects fall squarely under this framework, though unregistered projects also attract penal consequences for the builder. You should gather your agreement for sale, payment receipts, and any written communication from the builder acknowledging the delay. A RERA complaint against a builder in Pune is filed online through the MahaRERA portal or physically before the MahaRERA Pune bench, along with a nominal filing fee, and the process is designed to be faster and less formal than a civil suit.

Once filed, MahaRERA typically disposes of complaints within a few months, considerably faster than ordinary civil litigation, and its orders are executable as a decree of a civil court, giving you real teeth. If the builder still resists compliance, you can pursue execution proceedings before the RERA Appellate Tribunal or the concerned Revenue Authority. For buyers who invested their savings expecting timely possession, this remedy is often the most efficient path to either compensation or your money back with interest.

Timing matters here, and delaying your complaint can sometimes weaken your negotiating position with the builder, so early consultation is advisable. If you'd like help calculating your entitled interest or drafting the complaint, reach out via Aapka Legal Advice for a structured case assessment tailored to Pune-registered projects.

Beyond RERA, if the delay has caused you demonstrable financial loss, such as continuing rent payments alongside EMIs, you may also explore a consumer complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for additional compensation, since RERA and consumer forums operate as parallel remedies in Maharashtra. Builders sometimes settle faster once they see a RERA complaint filed, since it affects their project's registration standing and future sales.

Our panel of retired judges alongside experienced real estate advocates regularly assists Pune homebuyers in evaluating whether to seek a refund or continued possession with compensation, since this choice significantly affects strategy. For representation before MahaRERA, Top Property Lawyers in Pune | Aapka Legal Advice can guide you through filing and hearings.

In short, a builder's delay in handing over possession in Pune is squarely actionable under RERA, and prompt, well-documented action gives you the strongest chance of recovering your money or your home on time.