Quick answer
What is RERA Form 3?
RERA Form 3 is a certificate from a practising chartered accountant stating the project cost incurred, amounts collected from buyers and the amount the promoter may withdraw from the separate 70% RERA account. The bank releases money only after the CA's Form 3, the architect's Form 1 and the engineer's Form 2 are submitted.
- 70% of buyer collections go into a separate project account
- Withdrawals must match the percentage of completion
- Form 1 architect, Form 2 engineer, Form 3 chartered accountant
- Annual audit of the account within six months of year end
What is the 70% rule under RERA section 4(2)(l)(D)?
The rule says seventy per cent of the amounts a promoter collects from allottees for a project must be deposited in a separate account in a scheduled bank and used only for the cost of construction and land for that project. Withdrawals must be in proportion to the percentage of completion.
The standard declaration promoters file at registration repeats the statute almost word for word. A declaration filed with Bihar RERA, for example, states that withdrawals are made only after an engineer, an architect and a chartered accountant in practice certify that the withdrawal is in proportion to the percentage of completion, and that the accounts are audited within six months after the end of every financial year by a practising chartered accountant.
The purpose is simple: buyers' money for one project should not fund land purchases or construction on another.
What are RERA Form 1, Form 2 and Form 3?
Form 1 is the project architect's certificate on the percentage of work completed, Form 2 is the project engineer's certificate on cost incurred and cost to complete, and Form 3 is the chartered accountant's certificate on project cost, collections and the amount that can be withdrawn. The bank needs all three.
| Form | Signed by | What it certifies | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 1 | Project architect | Percentage of completion of construction | At registration of an ongoing project and for withdrawals |
| Form 2 | Project engineer | Quantity of work done, cost incurred and estimated cost to complete | At registration of an ongoing project and for withdrawals |
| Form 3 | Practising chartered accountant | Estimated and incurred land and construction cost, amounts collected and withdrawable amount | For registration of a project and each subsequent withdrawal |
| Form 4 | Project architect | Completion of each building or wing | On completion |
| Form 5 | Statutory auditor of the promoter | Annual report on statement of accounts of the project | Every financial year |
Source: MahaRERA (General) Regulations 2017, regulations 3 and 4, as reproduced on CaseMine. Form numbering differs in some states, so check your state's rules.
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What does a RERA CA certificate contain?
A RERA CA certificate in Form 3 typically shows the estimated total project cost, the cost incurred so far on land and construction, the proportion of cost incurred, amounts collected from buyers, amounts already withdrawn, and the amount the promoter may now withdraw. The CA relies on the engineer's and architect's figures for physical progress.
| Part | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Project details | Name, RERA registration number, promoter, bank and account number of the designated account |
| Land cost | Acquisition cost, premiums, approvals and related charges |
| Construction cost | Estimated total, incurred to date, as per the engineer's Form 2 |
| Total project cost | Estimated and incurred, and the percentage incurred |
| Collections | Amounts received from allottees and deposited in the designated account |
| Withdrawals | Amount already withdrawn and the amount now eligible for withdrawal |
| Signature | CA's signature, membership number and UDIN, plus promoter's signature where the format asks for it |
Based on the Maharashtra Form 3 structure. Haryana and other states publish their own CA certificate formats.
How is a RERA withdrawal certificate worked out?
The withdrawable amount is broadly the proportion of total project cost already incurred, applied to the money in the designated account, less what has already been withdrawn. The architect certifies physical progress, the engineer certifies cost, and the CA checks the books and arrives at the figure.
- 1
Architect certifies progress
The project architect issues Form 1 on the percentage of work completed as on the date.
- 2
Engineer certifies cost
The project engineer issues Form 2 on cost incurred and estimated cost to complete.
- 3
CA reviews the books
The CA checks land and construction cost in the books, buyer collections and deposits into the designated account.
- 4
CA issues Form 3
The CA certifies the eligible withdrawal and generates a UDIN.
- 5
Bank releases funds
The promoter submits Forms 1, 2 and 3 to the bank, which releases the amount from the designated account.
- 6
Quarterly update and annual audit
The promoter updates the regulator as required and gets the account audited after the year end.
How often is RERA Form 3 needed?
Form 3 is needed at project registration and for each withdrawal from the designated account. Many promoters withdraw quarterly, so in practice a fresh certificate is prepared each quarter, and some states also ask for it with the quarterly progress report. The annual audit of the account is separate.
Haryana RERA filings show CA certificates prepared at each quarter end certifying withdrawals from the separate account. Bank practice follows the same pattern: Indian Bank's RERA account page states that to withdraw the 70% amount, the promoter must submit a CA certificate in Form 3.
Can the statutory auditor issue RERA Form 3?
Under the Maharashtra regulations, no. The CA certifying progress for withdrawals should be a different entity from the CA who is the promoter's statutory auditor and signs the annual Form 5. Other states may not state this rule, but keeping the two roles apart is sound practice.
Also check whether the CA is in practice. Promoters' employees, including in-house accountants who are CAs, cannot issue these certificates. Verify the CA on ICAI CA Connect and check the UDIN, as our CA certificate guide explains.
What should Delhi promoters check for RERA Form 3?
Delhi projects are regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Delhi, whose portal is rera.delhi.gov.in. A 2020 practitioner summary says Delhi promoters file the architect's Form 1, engineer's Form 2 and CA's Form 3 with their quarterly compliance. The Delhi portal did not respond when we checked in October 2026, so confirm current formats there.
- Download the current Delhi format from the authority's site rather than reusing a Maharashtra or Haryana template.
- Match the designated account number with the one in your registration.
- Keep quarter-end bank statements, cost ledgers and the architect's and engineer's certificates in one file.
- Agree in advance with your bank how many days it needs to process a withdrawal after receiving the three certificates.
Delhi details here are from a secondary source and could not be checked against the Delhi RERA site. Treat them as a starting point.
What documents does the CA need for a RERA certificate?
The CA needs the RERA registration, designated account statements, the cost ledger for land and construction, buyer collection records, the architect's and engineer's certificates, and the previous Form 3. Clean project-wise accounting makes the certificate quick to issue.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| RERA registration certificate and approved project cost | Base figures |
| Designated (70%) account and collection account statements | Deposits and withdrawals |
| Project-wise cost ledger with invoices | Cost incurred |
| Customer ledger and booking register | Collections from allottees |
| Form 1 from the architect and Form 2 from the engineer | Physical progress and cost |
| Previous Form 3 certificates | Cumulative withdrawals |
| Land documents and payment proofs | Land cost |
Can CA in Delhi issue my RERA Form 3?
No. RERA Form 3 must be issued by a chartered accountant in practice, and ICAI's Code of Ethics 2026 does not allow CA firms to take such reserved certification work through aggregator listings. This page is information only, with no fees or bookings.
The firms in our directory of chartered accountant firms in Delhi can help with non-reserved work such as project-wise accounting and bookkeeping and GST return filing for builders. Promoters often also need a net worth certificate or utilisation certificate for lenders. Promoters based in North West Delhi can see our CA in Rohini page.
Frequently asked questions
Who signs RERA Form 3?
A chartered accountant in practice signs Form 3, with membership number and UDIN. In Maharashtra the promoter also signs the form. The CA should not be an employee of the promoter.
Is RERA Form 3 needed for every withdrawal?
Yes, under the Maharashtra regulations Form 3 is required for registration and each subsequent withdrawal from the designated account. Banks generally ask for Forms 1, 2 and 3 before releasing money.
What is the difference between RERA Form 3 and Form 5?
Form 3 supports a withdrawal and is issued by a CA certifying project cost and the withdrawable amount. Form 5 is the annual report on the statement of accounts, signed by the promoter's statutory auditor, confirming that collections were used for the project.
Is RERA Form 3 the same in every state?
No. Maharashtra uses Form 3 for the CA certificate, but numbering and formats differ elsewhere. Karnataka's Form 3, for instance, is reported to be an engineer's certificate. Always use your state authority's current format.
What happens if a promoter withdraws without certificates?
Withdrawing without the required certificates breaches section 4(2)(l)(D) and the promoter's declaration, and can lead to action by the authority. Banks with RERA account products also refuse release without the certificates.
Can RERA money be used for another project?
No. The 70% kept in the designated account may be used only for construction and land cost of that project. That is the core purpose of the rule.
When is the annual RERA audit due?
The accounts must be audited within six months after the end of every financial year by a practising chartered accountant, who certifies the statement of accounts. For an April to March year, that means by 30 September.
Does a small project need a RERA CA certificate?
If the project is registered with RERA, the separate account and certificate rules apply to it. Whether a project must register depends on its size and type under the Act and state rules.
Is a RERA CA certificate the same as a net worth certificate?
No. Form 3 is project specific and supports withdrawals. A net worth certificate shows the promoter's financial standing. See our net worth certificate page for that document.