Capital markets watchdog Sebi has floated a consultation paper for regulating all web-based platforms offering fractional ownership of real estate assets to protect small investors.

Such fractional ownership of real estate assets is proposed to be brought as Micro, Small and Medium REITs under Sebi's Real Estate Investment Trusts rules. The proposed regulatory framework would help develop the real estate market, provide investor protection measures and lead to an orderly development of this sector and the market, Sebi said in its consultation paper.

Typically, fractional investment of real estate through fractional ownership platforms (FOPs) is an investing strategy in which the cost of acquisition of real estate is split among several investors, who invest in securities issued by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established by an FOP. Such SPVs purchase real estate assets. FOPs allow investors to own a certain percentage or fractional share in the real estate asset through the securities issued by the SPVs. Some FOPs are operated by real estate agents or brokers (before the property is purchased) and as property managers thereafter.

Sebi noted that there has been a mushrooming of web-based platforms offering fractional ownership of real estate assets in the past 2-3 years. These platforms provide investors with an option to invest in buildings and office spaces, including warehouses, shopping centres, conference centres etc. The minimum investment on these FOPs ranges from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.