Sebi joins hands with Indian REITs Association to launch benchmarking institutions

Capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has joined hands with the Indian REITs Association (IRA), a non-profit organisation focused on promoting the growth and development real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the country, to launch a data benchmarking institution. CAMS, KFintech and Care Edge will establish three separate institutions under this arrangement. 
The institutions will provide investors with information on the performance, valuation and disclosures related to REITs, enabling them to make informed decisions.  

In other words, interested investors will be able to access actionable information about REITs through these institutions, including details of financial as well as other nature including returns. 

Currently, there are four listed REITs in the country with assets under management (AUMs) amounting to Rs 1.40 lakh crore: Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, and Nexus Select Trust. The four REITs are also the founding members of the IRA.

What are REITs?

REITs are investment vehicles that allow individuals to invest in realty assets through shares. REITs work in a similar fashion as mutual funds, pooling money from investors to purchase and manage income-generating assets and providing a way to invest in the sector without having to buy property directly. 

Regulated by the capital market regulator, REITs provide investors with opportunities to benefit from rental income and potential capital appreciation, along with the advantages of liquidity and professional management.