My Housing Finance Company (e.g., HDFC Ltd. / LIC Housing Finance / PNB Housing Finance) has not returned my original title deeds after full loan repayment. Is NHB the right authority to file an RTI with?

It depends on the asset size of the HFC. Since August 2019, following an amendment to the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took over prudential regulation and supervision of HFCs with an asset size above ₹500 crore, while NHB continues to regulate smaller HFCs. As a practical guide: HDFC Ltd. (now merged with HDFC Bank), LIC Housing Finance, PNB Housing Finance, Bajaj Housing Finance, and Indiabulls Housing Finance are large HFCs regulated by RBI. For these, supervisory RTIs — asking about regulatory action taken by the regulator — should be directed to RBI. NHB remains the appropriate RTI authority for smaller and mid-size HFCs not covered by RBI supervision, and for NHB's own functions such as the CLSS/PMAY subsidy disbursement, the refinance scheme, and HFC registration records. Regardless of which regulator supervises the HFC, your complaint for return of title deeds should first be escalated through the HFC's internal grievance redressal, and then — if unresolved — to the RBI Integrated Ombudsman (which now covers HFCs above ₹500 crore) or through the consumer forum route. RTI to NHB or RBI can help you obtain the regulatory circular that governs the timeline for title deed return, and the complaint data, but RTI alone cannot compel the HFC to act.

Can I use RTI to check whether NHB has penalised an HFC for overcharging home loan interest or imposing illegal foreclosure charges?

Yes. NHB has the power under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, to issue directions to HFCs, impose penalties, and take corrective action. You can file an RTI with NHB asking for copies of any concluded penalty order, direction, or advisory issued against the named HFC for practices related to interest rate resets, prepayment or foreclosure charges, or other consumer protection violations. The RTI response will typically provide concluded orders — ongoing proceedings may be withheld by NHB under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act (information that could impede an investigation or prosecution). This distinction — concluded versus ongoing proceedings — is important: NHB will generally not disclose the details of an inspection or enforcement action that is still in progress. For large HFCs now regulated by RBI, this RTI should instead go to the relevant RBI Regional Office or RBI Central Office. NHB also periodically issues Master Directions for HFCs; you can request a copy of the Master Direction or circular governing the specific practice in dispute — for example, NHB's directions on fair practices code for HFCs.

I applied for a home loan subsidy under PMAY-Urban CLSS but the subsidy was not credited to my loan account. Can RTI with NHB help?

Yes, RTI with NHB is one of the most useful tools in this situation. NHB was the nodal implementation agency for the CLSS component of PMAY-Urban for Middle Income Group (MIG-I and MIG-II) categories, and it channelled subsidies to borrowers through empanelled HFCs and banks. If your HFC received the subsidy disbursement from NHB but did not credit it to your loan account, an RTI with NHB can establish: (1) whether NHB actually disbursed the subsidy to the named HFC on your behalf, and the date and amount of such disbursement; (2) whether NHB received any complaint from you or others about non-credit of CLSS subsidy by the HFC; and (3) the NHB circular or operational guideline that requires the HFC to credit the subsidy within a specified number of days. Armed with this information — particularly the NHB disbursement record — you have a strong basis to demand credit from the HFC, escalate to the banking ombudsman, or approach the consumer forum. Note that the MIG-CLSS scheme under PMAY-Urban closed for new applications in March 2021; NHB continues to hold records of disbursements already made. For the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG) CLSS component, the nodal agency was the National Housing Finance Authority (NHB and HUDCO jointly managed different tranches); confirm with NHB if your subsidy was routed through it or through another agency.

What is the difference between filing an RTI with NHB and filing a complaint with NHB against an HFC?

These are two completely separate processes. A complaint to NHB is a grievance mechanism: you are asking NHB, as regulator, to intervene and direct the HFC to resolve your dispute — return title deeds, correct an overcharge, stop harassment, or similar. NHB's complaint handling falls under its supervisory function and may or may not result in direct relief to you. An RTI application, on the other hand, is a request for information under the Right to Information Act, 2005. RTI cannot compel NHB to act on a complaint — it can only obtain information that NHB holds. The most effective approach is to combine both: file the complaint with NHB for regulatory intervention, and use RTI to obtain NHB's circulars on fair practice, the complaint statistics against the HFC, and — if a period has passed — the status of NHB's supervisory action on your earlier complaint. RTI responses that document the regulatory standard and the HFC's complaint history significantly strengthen any subsequent consumer forum case.

NHB did not respond to my RTI within 30 days. What should I do?

Under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, the CPIO at NHB must respond within 30 days of receipt. If there is no response, or the response is incomplete or unsatisfactory, you have two sequential remedies. First, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at NHB within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. Clearly state which specific questions were not answered and why the response is inadequate. The FAA's contact details are published on NHB's website (nhb.org.in) under the RTI section. If the FAA also fails to decide or gives an inadequate response, file a Second Appeal under Section 19(3) with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the date it should have been made. NHB is a statutory body established under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, under the Ministry of Finance — a Central Government body — so the CIC, not any State Information Commission, has jurisdiction over all second appeals against NHB. The CIC is empowered under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on a CPIO who, without reasonable cause, fails to furnish information within the prescribed time or provides incorrect or incomplete information.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with NHB — Home Loan Regulation, HFC Complaints and Housing Finance Data

Central Government

How to File RTI with NHB — Home Loan Regulation, HFC Complaints and Housing Finance Data

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with the National Housing Bank (NHB) under the Ministry of Finance for complaints received against Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), NHB inspection findings, HFC registration and cancellation records, and affordable housing refinance data. Note: since 2019, HFCs with asset size above ₹500 crore are regulated by RBI; NHB continues to regulate smaller HFCs. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft and FAQs.

Updated 1 Jun 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryMinistry of Finance

Address RTI ToCPIO, National Housing Bank, Core-5A, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

Home loan borrowers and housing finance customers dealing with unresolved disputes — overcharged interest, illegal foreclosure fees, unreturned title deeds, or uncredited PMAY subsidies — often have no clear picture of what regulatory standards their Housing Finance Company (HFC) was required to follow, or what supervisory action the regulator has taken. The National Housing Bank (NHB) is the statutory body established under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, that was originally the sole regulator and supervisor for all HFCs in India. Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, NHB is a public authority and must respond to RTI applications within 30 days. This guide explains how to use RTI to access NHB's records — including its inspection findings, complaint data, HFC registration records, and PMAY subsidy disbursements — and what you need to know about the post-2019 jurisdictional split between NHB and the Reserve Bank of India.

The 2019 Jurisdictional Split: NHB vs. RBI for HFCs

This is the most critical context to understand before filing an RTI about a Housing Finance Company. In August 2019, the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019, amended the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, and transferred prudential regulation and supervision of HFCs with an asset size above ₹500 crore to the Reserve Bank of India. NHB continues to regulate smaller HFCs below this threshold.

HFC Category	Regulator	Where to File RTI for Supervisory Actions
Large HFCs (asset size above ₹500 crore) — e.g., LIC Housing Finance, PNB Housing Finance, Bajaj Housing Finance, Indiabulls Housing Finance	Reserve Bank of India (RBI)	RBI Regional Office / RBI Central Office via rtionline.gov.in
Small and mid-size HFCs (asset size below ₹500 crore)	National Housing Bank (NHB)	NHB, New Delhi via rtionline.gov.in
HFC registration and Certificate of Registration (CoR) records	NHB (for all HFCs — NHB retains the registration function)	NHB, New Delhi
PMAY-Urban CLSS (MIG) subsidy disbursement records	NHB (nodal agency for MIG-CLSS; scheme closed for new applications in March 2021)	NHB, New Delhi
NHB refinance scheme (Rural Housing Fund, Urban Housing Fund)	NHB	NHB, New Delhi

Key rule: NHB retains the HFC registration function for all HFCs regardless of size. For supervisory complaints — inspection findings, penalty orders, consumer protection directions — the correct authority depends on the HFC's asset size as of August 2019 onwards. When in doubt, file with NHB first; if jurisdiction lies with RBI, NHB is required under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act to transfer your application to the appropriate public authority within 5 days.

What RTI to NHB Can Obtain

Use Case	What to Ask NHB	What to Expect
Complaints received against a specific HFC	Number and category of complaints, directions issued in concluded proceedings	Complaint statistics; copies of concluded directions or advisories
NHB inspection of an HFC	Whether inspection was conducted; non-confidential portions of the inspection report	Confirmation; redacted summary (ongoing inspections may be withheld under Section 8(1)(h))
HFC registration / Certificate of Registration status	Whether HFC holds valid CoR under Section 29A of the NHB Act, 1987	Confirmation of registration status; category and validity
HFC CoR cancellations	List of HFCs whose CoR was cancelled in the last three years with reasons	Published cancellation data
PMAY-Urban CLSS subsidy disbursement	Whether NHB disbursed CLSS subsidy to a named HFC on behalf of a borrower	Disbursement date and amount — useful when HFC has not credited subsidy to borrower's account
NHB refinance eligibility	Whether named HFC is an approved Primary Lending Institution; refinance disbursed to HFC	Eligibility status; aggregate disbursement figures
NHB Master Direction / circular on fair practices	Copy of NHB Master Direction for HFCs on fair practices code, interest rate resets, foreclosure charges	Exact text of the regulatory standard binding on the HFC

Important limitation: NHB can withhold details of ongoing inspections or active enforcement proceedings under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act — information that would impede an investigation or prosecution. Concluded orders and published directions are accessible. This distinction matters: if NHB is currently inspecting an HFC, it will not disclose interim findings.

NHB vs. Consumer Channels: The Right Tool for Each Purpose

Aspect	RTI to NHB	NHB Complaint / RBI Ombudsman
Primary purpose	Obtain information: regulatory circulars, complaint data, inspection records, CLSS disbursement	Seek resolution: direct the HFC to act, credit subsidy, return title deeds
Can it force the HFC to act?	No — RTI only obtains information	Yes — through the Ombudsman or NHB supervisory direction
Jurisdiction — large HFCs	NHB for registration/CLSS records; RBI for supervisory complaints	RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (covers HFCs above ₹500 crore since 2021)
Jurisdiction — small HFCs	NHB	NHB grievance cell; consumer forum
Best for	Getting the regulatory circular binding on the HFC; establishing what subsidy was disbursed; documenting complaint history	Actually resolving the dispute with the HFC

Recommended sequence for a home loan dispute: (1) Exhaust the HFC's internal grievance mechanism. (2) Escalate to the RBI Integrated Ombudsman (for large HFCs above ₹500 crore) or consumer forum. (3) File RTI with NHB in parallel to obtain the regulatory circular or Master Direction that applies to your dispute, the CLSS disbursement record, and NHB's complaint data on the HFC — this information strengthens your ombudsman submission and any subsequent consumer forum case.

Where to File: Step by Step

Visit rtionline.gov.in
Click Submit Request and log in or register
Select: Ministry of Finance → National Housing Bank
In the application text, describe your request precisely: name the HFC, your loan account number (if applicable), any NHB complaint reference number, and list your specific questions. Keep the text under 3,000 characters; if longer, attach a separate document using the portal's attachment option.
Pay ₹10 online. BPL cardholders are exempt — upload a copy of the BPL card.
Save the registration number displayed after submission. You will need this for follow-up and appeals.

Alternative — postal filing: If you cannot file online, send a written application with a demand draft or Indian Postal Order of ₹10 payable to "National Housing Bank" at the CPIO address above. Postal applications are slower and harder to track; the online portal is strongly recommended.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For

Complaints received against the HFC: The total and category-wise count of borrower complaints received by NHB against a named HFC for a specified financial year, and the number resolved or where directions were issued in concluded proceedings.
NHB inspection findings: Whether NHB conducted an inspection of the HFC under Section 31 of the NHB Act, 1987, during a specified period; non-confidential portions of the inspection report or executive summary; and corrective actions issued in concluded proceedings.
HFC registration status: Whether the HFC holds a current and valid Certificate of Registration under Section 29A of the NHB Act; whether any suspension or cancellation proceedings are on record; and a list of HFCs whose CoR was cancelled in the last three financial years.
PMAY-Urban CLSS subsidy disbursement: Whether NHB disbursed the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme amount to the named HFC on behalf of a specific borrower, the date and amount of disbursement, and the NHB operational guideline requiring the HFC to credit the subsidy to the borrower's loan account within a specified period.
NHB refinance scheme eligibility: Whether the HFC is an approved Primary Lending Institution under NHB's Rural Housing Fund, Urban Housing Fund, or any other refinance scheme; aggregate refinance disbursed to the HFC for a specified year; and the current eligibility criteria for NHB refinance access.
Master Directions and fair practices circulars: Copies of NHB's Master Directions for HFCs on fair practices code, interest rate reset norms, prepayment and foreclosure charge limits, and guidelines on return of title documents after full loan repayment — including the applicable circular reference number and date.

Appeals

NHB has 30 days from receipt to respond under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act. If the response is absent, incomplete, or unsatisfactory:

First Appeal — Section 19(1), RTI Act: File with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at NHB within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. Clearly state which specific questions were not answered and why the response is inadequate. The FAA's details are published on NHB's website (nhb.org.in) under the RTI section.

Second Appeal — Section 19(3), RTI Act: If the FAA also fails to respond or provides an inadequate response, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the date it should have been made. NHB is a statutory body established under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, under the Ministry of Finance — a Central Government body — so the CIC, not any State Information Commission, has jurisdiction over all second appeals against NHB.

Section 20 Penalty: The CIC is empowered under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on a CPIO who, without reasonable cause, refuses to receive an application, does not furnish information within the time limit, or gives incorrect or incomplete information. Citing this provision in your second appeal often accelerates a substantive response from the public authority.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
National Housing Bank,
Core-5A, India Habitat Centre,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — HFC Complaint Data / NHB Inspection Findings / HFC Registration Status / PMAY Subsidy Disbursement / NHB Refinance Scheme

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], am a home loan borrower / housing finance customer and submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, and request the following information:

Housing Finance Company details (as applicable):
  Name of HFC: [Name of Housing Finance Company — e.g., XYZ Housing Finance Ltd.]
  Loan Account Number (if applicable): [Your Loan Account Number]
  NHB Complaint Reference Number (if any): [Complaint Ref. No. if filed with NHB]
  Date of Complaint to NHB (if any): [DD/MM/YYYY]

Information sought:

1. COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AGAINST THE HFC:
   a. The total number of complaints received by NHB against [Name of HFC] for the financial year(s) [e.g., FY 2023-24], as compiled in NHB's records or annual report.
   b. The number of such complaints relating to [home loan interest rate resets / foreclosure charges / title deed non-return / mis-selling of insurance products linked to housing loans / any other specify].
   c. Whether NHB has issued any advisory, direction, or remedial order to [Name of HFC] arising from the above complaints in concluded proceedings, and if so, a copy of such direction.

2. NHB INSPECTION FINDINGS (NON-CONFIDENTIAL):
   a. Whether NHB has conducted an inspection of [Name of HFC] during the period [e.g., FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24] under Section 31 of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987.
   b. A copy of the executive summary or non-confidential portions of the inspection report for [Name of HFC], to the extent disclosable under Section 8 of the RTI Act.
   c. Whether any corrective action, penalty, or direction has been issued to [Name of HFC] on the basis of the above inspection, in concluded proceedings.

3. HFC REGISTRATION STATUS:
   a. Whether [Name of HFC] holds a current and valid Certificate of Registration (CoR) issued by NHB under Section 29A of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, and the validity period of such registration.
   b. Whether any show-cause notice, suspension, or cancellation of CoR has been issued to [Name of HFC] and, if so, the current status of such proceedings (to the extent disclosable under the RTI Act).
   c. The list of HFCs whose CoR has been cancelled by NHB during the last three financial years, along with the reasons for cancellation (to the extent available in NHB's records).

4. PMAY-G / PMAY-U SUBSIDY DISBURSEMENT THROUGH NHB:
   a. The total Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) subsidy disbursed by NHB to [Name of HFC] under PMAY-Urban (MIG-I and MIG-II categories) for the financial year(s) [e.g., FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24].
   b. Whether NHB has received any complaint of CLSS subsidy not being credited to the borrower's loan account by [Name of HFC] and, if so, the number of such complaints and their resolution status.
   c. The eligibility criteria and current operational status of the CLSS scheme under PMAY-Urban as maintained in NHB's records.

5. NHB REFINANCE SCHEME ELIGIBILITY:
   a. Whether [Name of HFC] is an approved Primary Lending Institution (PLI) eligible to access NHB's refinance facilities under the Rural Housing Fund (RHF) / Urban Housing Fund (UHF) or any other NHB refinance scheme.
   b. The total refinance disbursed by NHB to [Name of HFC] under any NHB refinance scheme during [FY 2023-24], to the extent available and disclosable.
   c. The eligibility criteria currently applicable for HFCs to access NHB refinance schemes, as per NHB's operational guidelines.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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