The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/DDHS-PoD-2/P/CIR/2024/43 on May 15, 2024, addressing Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). This circular consolidates the regulations and guidelines related to REITs issued by SEBI until the aforementioned date.
Effective upon issuance, the Master Circular supersedes the circulars mentioned in its Appendix. However, actions taken under the superseded circulars prior to this issuance will be deemed to have been taken under the corresponding provisions of the Master Circular. Pending applications with SEBI under the superseded circulars will also be considered under the Master Circular’s provisions.
Entities subject to compliance with REIT provisions are required to submit reports periodically or continuously as outlined in the Master Circular. Stock exchanges are instructed to publish the contents of this Circular on their websites.
Issued under the authority of Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014, the Master Circular aims to safeguard investor interests and regulate the securities market.
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/DDHS-PoD-2/P/CIR/2024/43 Dated: May 15, 2024
To,
All Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)
All Parties to REITs
All Recognised Stock Exchanges
All Registered Depositories
All Self-Certified Syndicate Banks
All Registered Depository Participants, Stock brokers, Registrars to an Issue, Share Transfer Agents, Bankers to issues, Merchant Bankers and other Intermediaries
Madam/ Sir,
Sub: Master Circular for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
1. For effective regulation of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been issuing various circulars from time to time. In order to enable the stakeholders to have an access to all the applicable circulars at one place, the provisions of the circulars issued till May 15, 2024 are incorporated in this Master Circular for Real Estate Investment Trusts.
2. This Master Circular shall come into force from the date of its issuance. The circulars mentioned inAppendix to this Master Circular shall stand superseded with the issuance of this Master Circular. With respect to the directions or other guidance issued by SEBI, as specifically applicable to Real Estate Investment Trusts, the same shall continue to remain in force in addition to the provisions of any other law for the time being in force. Terms not defined in this Master Circular shall have the same meaning as provided under the relevant Regulations.
3. Notwithstanding such supersession,
3.1. anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken under the superseded circulars, including registrations or approvals granted, fees collected, registration suspended or cancelled, any inspection or investigation or enquiry or adjudication commenced or show cause notice issued prior to such supersession, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Master Circular;
3.2. any application made to SEBI under the superseded circulars, prior to such supersession, and pending before it shall be deemed to have been made under the corresponding provisions of this Master Circular;
3.3. the previous operation of the superseded circulars or anything duly done or suffered thereunder, any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the superseded circulars, any penalty, incurred in respect of any violation committed against the superseded circulars, or any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty as aforesaid, shall remain unaffected as if the superseded circulars have never been superseded;
4. Pursuant to issuance of this Master Circular, the entities which are required to ensure compliance with various provisions shall submit necessary reports as envisaged in this Master Circular on a periodic/ continuous basis. Stock exchanges are advised to disseminate the contents of this Circular on their website.
5. This Master Circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 and Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market. This Master Circular is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.
6. This Master Circular is available on the SEBI website at https://www.sebi.gov.in/ under the category “Legal -> Master Circulars
Yours faithfully,
Ritesh Nandwani
Deputy General Manager
Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities
Tel no.: 022-2644 9696
Email: riteshn@sebi.gov.in
