RERA India vs Dubai: Two Models, One Goal

For decades, real estate was India’s only major sector without a dedicated regulator. RERA, enacted in 2016, changed that.

India has climbed from 36th to 31st in JLL's Global Real Estate Transparency Index and is ranked the top improver globally from 2022 to 2024. Dubai sits at 28th — just three places ahead.

India’s RERA mandates project registration, escrow accounts, penalties for delays, and dispute resolution. However, Dubai’s model remains tighter:

• 100% buyer funds in escrow (vs 70% in India)
• 20% construction completion before sales begin
• Regulatory approval for every escrow withdrawal
• Registered marketing materials
• Regulation of contractors and consultants

India’s state-level implementation varies, creating uneven discipline.

For lenders and investors, project-level underwriting remains essential — milestone-linked disbursements, escrow tracking, complaint monitoring, and proper charge release.