MACJ-ABCHI, Author at Professional Home Inspection, India

Strong and durable doors are characteristics of a well-maintained property. To extend their lifespan, look for the door defects mentioned in the article.

March 20, 2021

14 Door Defects Commonly Detected During Home Inspection

A good house has all its components in the perfect place, and well-maintained doors are synonymous with its safety and security. A door not only gives access to the inside of your household but is also the first thing one comes and notices in your apartment. Hence, doors should be given top priority in home maintenance. Whether it is a serious issue like a broken lock or a minor disturbance like a squeaky noise, nothing should be ignored and left unattended.

Here are a few common defects of doors which you should be vigilant about and which are given importance during home inspection too.

1. Wood Attacking Pests

Termites, beetles and carpenter ants attack woodwork in a house and render them porous thereby making them weak and brittle. They primarily attack wooden doors and eat away the frames. But locating these pests inside the door frames is quite tough. Sometimes before you even identify the pest attack, the wood is hollow from within and conditions are really tough to manage. Termites attack damp, organic wood and stay there and bore through the woods. They are attracted to cellulosic objects in general. They can destroy doors completely. These doors are not safe; they can just collapse or break anytime. You can detect the presence of these pests by looking at:

Termite signs: Termite mud, cracks on door frame or corners, hollow-sounding wood, discarded wings, etc.
Borer signs: Holes and powdered wood. Boring beetles are not visible from outside. You can only gauge their presence by knocking on the door parts having tiny holes. If dust comes out, you will know the door is infested by borers.

To know how to protect your doors from these menaces, click here.

Dead knots decrease the structural strength of the timber.

2. Wood with Dead Knot

Timber, like any natural product, has imperfections in it. There are knots inside the timber: a. live knots which are lighter in colour and do not fall out and b. dark-coloured dead knots which eventually fall out from the timber creating holes in their place. These knots decrease the structural strength of the timber. So, sections of wood with dead knots should be avoided for making door frames. Cracks develop from the knots reducing the longevity of the door to a significant extent.

3. Buckling Of Doors

Wood has a property of seasonal expansion due to which if no gap is provided between the panel and the frame, the door tends to buckle. This is an unavoidable problem and happens in almost every house. Once a wooden door buckles, then it becomes difficult to close it in some cases. In other cases, excess pressure is needed to close the door. To avoid this problem, the seasoning of wood is highly recommended. Also, adequate gaps should be provided between the panel and the frame to allow the wooden door to expand seasonally.

Cracks in wooden door frames and panels may occur due to improper seasoning of wood or substandard wood.

4. Cracks in Door Panel/Frame

Cracks in painted wooden door frames and panels may occur due to improper seasoning of wood or substandard wood. Cracks may also occur at frame joints & panel side edges. With time these cracks can become wider. In those cases, doors become more vulnerable to attack by pests. Mildly damaged wood can be repaired by Asian Paints Knifing Paste Filler¹ or similar type product as per manufacturer’s specification.

Peeling away from the laminate not only gives a bad and unappealing look but also exposes the wood for further damage.

5. Peeling off Laminate

Laminate works like a protection on the wooden surface. It saves the wood from damage, wear-and-tear. It gives an attractive look and finish at the door. Peeling away from the laminate not only gives a bad and unappealing look but also exposes the wood for further damage. For example, wooden doors without laminate attract pests. Peeling off laminate occurs due to mainly two reasons – improper pasting or excess moisture presence.

6. Peeling off Paint or paint deterioration

Read why paint deteriorates or peels off the doors?

Paint is extremely important for both the door frame and panel. Paint not only gives your door a good finish and look, but also saves it from wear and tear for a longer time period. It saves the wood from coming in direct contact with moisture and dust. Moisture will lead to further damage to wood. Paint is extremely helpful in keeping off microbial infestation in wood. Paint also prevents colonization of termites and other pests in wood.

Now the question is why paint deteriorates or peels off the doors? There can be many reasons but it occurs mainly due to either of the following problems:

Presence of excess moisture in the wood
Inadequate treatment of the wooden door before painting
Non-adherence to the paint manufacturer’s specifications

7. Defects in Manufacturing

Sometimes there are manufacturing defects in the latch, lock, stopper and other fittings. These defects lead to improper functioning of the door. Proper fittings related to door installation should be purchased or else there will be future problems.

8. Improper Alignment of Frames

In case of improper alignment of door panels and frames, there could be problems in closing the doors in certain seasons. Wood, as already mentioned, has a property of seasonal expansion. It absorbs moisture during the rainy season and swells which leads to difficulty in closing the door. Further, the door becomes tilted and sometimes, may hit the floor and damage the tiles. In other words, it may cause an obstruction in panel functioning. In case of extreme improper alignment, the doors might not close throughout the year.

9. Stability and Firmness

Stable, strong and firm doors are important for your house. They protect the house from any kind of unforeseen intrusions. It is difficult to break a strong door. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to invest in good quality, strong doors. Not only the doors but also good quality fitting & materials should be purchased. Improper installation and poor quality building materials can severely affect the longevity of the doors in your house.

The uniform gap of 3 mm to be maintained around all sides.

10. Excessive Gap under Door Panel

A good door structure has well-calculated gaps, not too less not too large. It should be enough to accommodate the expanded door under the influence of moisture in monsoons. All kinds of sound, cold air, dust, insects enter the household through the gap between the door and the floor. One should be careful while installing doors. The uniform gap of 3mm to be maintained around all sides.

11. Inadequate Fasteners at The Frame

There should be a minimum of six fasteners for attaching the door with the frame. In case of less number of fasteners, there is a need for more firmness. Fasteners used should also be of proper quality and rust-free. Doors with rusty, improper fasteners have less longevity and require early replacement.

12. Gap around Door Frame

If gaps are left around the frame while installation, it can lead to attack by pests. Termites and beetles may settle down in these gaps. Moisture and dust may also accumulate there. This stimulates microbial growth leading to damage to the property. Gaps should be essentially filled or else it might lead to loss of strength of the doors and moisture-related damage to property.

13. Separation Crack around Frame with Painted Wall

Separation between masonry walls and door frames is another major problem in households. Basically, these cracks occur due to the different co-efficient of thermal expansion² of wood and masonry wall i.e. brick masonry. A gap occurs between them as expansion and contraction of both is different during change in temperature, which we identify as cracks.

14. Loose Fittings and Improper Lubrication

Lubrication keeps the hinges rust free and the door movement is without hindrance.

Proper lubrication is extremely important for doors or else they will not have a free movement and squeak. Lubrication keeps the hinges rust free and the door movement is without hindrance. Providing periodic lubrication to fittings can help to keep your doors function smoothly. Paying attention to tower bolts, locks and hinges, leads to noise free, smooth and easy operations. In case of tight fittings, there will be trouble in closing and opening the door and in case of loose-fitting, there will be gaps left around which will lead to unwanted stuff entering the household.

These problems mentioned above often lead to the weakening of doors in the house. They may become dysfunctional and collapse anytime. Their durability may be so much compromised that any external force of slightly bigger magnitude will be able to break them thereby putting your property’s security at stake. Hence, you need to pay the utmost attention to door problems and defects. Professional home inspection services accurately identify all these problems and suggest the best possible solutions. If you are opting for one such service, listen to their advice and fix the problems as soon as possible.

Reference links used:
1. https://www.asianpaints.com/products/wood-and-metals/metal-enamels/trucare-knifing-paste-filler.html
2. https://gharpedia.com/blog/separation-cracks-masonry-walls-door-frame-joints/

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit on the status of constituting a cell to monitor and prevent illegal construction.

March 15, 2021

HC asks Maharashtra govt about status of monitoring cell for illegal construction

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit on the status of constituting a cell to monitor and prevent illegal construction across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The court also directed the commissioners of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies in the MMR to personally explain why laws pertaining to illegal constructions were not being implemented.

In 2018, the High Court had passed a detailed order on taking action against illegal structures in the city and had directed the BMC to constitute a supervisory cell dedicated to monitoring such construction, taking punitive and preventive action, etc.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni on Wednesday noted that the civic body had failed to constitute such a cell and to implement several other directions passed in the 2018 order.

The bench said the city and the entire MMR had witnessed rampant illegal construction through the years.

Instances of illegal construction had not stopped even during the lockdown imposed in view of the COVID 19 pandemic, the court said, adding that the picture would have been different if the supervisory cell had been constituted.

There was no “will” on the state’s part, the court said.

“The commissioners must be held accountable for not ensuring that the laws are enforced,” it said.

These observations were made when the bench was hearing suo-motu proceedings against dilapidated buildings and illegal structures taken up after one such building collapsed in Bhiwandi on September 23, 2020.

Earlier this year, during a hearing in the matter, the High Court had directed the BMC and the civic bodies of Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayandar, Ulhasnagar and Bhiwandi-Nizampur to furnish details of punitive action taken against illegal structures in areas under their respective jurisdiction.

The court on Wednesday directed all these civic bodies to file fresh affidavits with the exact number of illegal structures under their jurisdiction.

It also suggested that the BMC come up with a separate policy for illegal commercial premises.

No one must be permitted to earn profits from such structures and that illegal commercial structures must be the first to be razed, the court said.

Source: https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/hc-asks-maharashtra-govt-about-status-of-monitoring-cell-for-illegal-construction/81451112

Home improvement doesn’t always have to be a costly affair. Here we have listed down some creative ideas for those who are on a low budget.

March 13, 2021

Best Home Improvement Ideas for Those on a Budget

Home improvement is a wide term that could include a range of ideas and alterations. To narrow down the options, there are constraints like space, budget and the basic architectural plan. It is important to have clarity on all key criteria to get results that are smart and lasting.

In this blog, we focus on home improvement ideas on a budget. We will explore ideas and options across different levels of budget and effort. Sometimes, replacing redundant stuff with refurbished add-ons can help give a brand-new look to your space. If time, effort and budget allow, a few changes in the design can go a long way in customising your home to suite your taste and style.

Let us explore a few creative ideas in detail.

A chic way to do up your floor is to use mats and rugs. However, it is okay if you want to keep the floor untouched but re-grout the tile joints.

For the Floor

Each component of a home comes together to create an aura that captivates the mind of a person when he enters the house for the first time. Yet, the floor is the very first thing that he notices. So, even a little change there will create a significant impact. But changing flooring within a tight budget is rather difficult. Therefore, what you can do is apply your creativity and add things like these:

Rug and Roll: A chic way to do up your floor is to use mats and rugs. There is no limit to being creative with this option. If you want to keep it minimalistic, nothing works like one big rug / mat that covers the entire floor in a room. If you are a maximalist in terms of shades and patterns, go for a mix of colours, sizes and designs. You could even have layers; depends totally on your style.

A few important points to keep in mind while choosing to have rugs and mats are:

They are great for homes with kids
Not suitable for homes with pets
Need to be vacuumed regularly
Messes and stains can be tough to get rid of

However, it is okay if you want to keep the floor untouched but re-grout the tile joints to increase the floor’s longevity as well as prevent moisture damage.

Budget-friendly walls

Colours and Creatives: Paints and wall art can transform the house completely. All you need to do is give thought to the kind of colour combination that appeals to your taste. Each colour has a specific impact on a room’s perceived shape and size. Light colours like cream and white, for example, reflect light and make a room look spacious; dark colours lend coziness and warmth; striped paint patterns make a room look taller than it is and so on. You can consult paint experts to get the perfect shade for your house. To add more liveliness to a wall, play around with some wall art. You could opt for paint patterns or go for easily available stickers and posters. For those who cannot afford to paint the whole house due to budget or time constraints, painting or polishing the furniture instead can be a clever alternative.
Mirrors for Magic: Mirrors add a whole new vibe to a room. However, having a complete wall covered with mirrors could turn out to be expensive. Instead, you could put up 3-4 large vertical mirrors to add more reflective lighting. Adding a bit of exciting lighting can really make it an ambient setting on a budget.

Paying attention to details is an important part of home improvement efforts. Secondly lighting options can turn a room into your dream abode.

Accents & Affixes

Focus on Small Things: Paying attention to details is an important part of home improvement efforts. Nothing looks worse than chipped sill edges, rusty window latches, loose doorknobs, and noisy cabinet hinges. While giving a facelift to your home, fix these small things like loose nails and screws, rusty doorknobs, loose window handles, and broken frames etc. These small but important elements may not always catch the eye, but help keep the house in a good shape. Make a list of all these things even before starting the DIY home improvement project so that you do not miss out on any.
Lit Up to Liven Up: Spotlights, ambient lights, lamps, shades, chandeliers – lighting options can turn a room into your dream abode. The idea is to liven up space by illuminating dark corners, key elements, and warm spots of the house. Based on purpose, you can choose from task lights (like above kitchen islands), ambient lights (that add a mood), and accent lighting (highlight a specific part of the room). Also, the placement of lights – ceiling, floor, walls, table, etc., is an important consideration. Pricing varies depending on the quality, brand, and technology chosen.

Timely checks for leakage and seepage help keep it in a good condition. Also, Recycling and refurbishing old items in the house to make gorgeous, trendy.

Replace & Repurpose

Bathroom Basics: Pipes, sinks, faucets, and showers are important parts of a bathroom. Timely checks for leakage and seepage help keep it in a good condition. Also, nothing is more satisfying than to use perfectly working faucets and showers. So, get them fixed or replaced to make your bathrooms and toilets more functional.
Recycle & Repurpose: Recycling and refurbishing old items¹ in the house to make gorgeous, trendy and useful décor pieces is smart as well as fashionable. Take a step closer to sustainable living by having an eye for things that can be reused with a little effort. It could be redoing a piece of old and broken furniture, like tables, chairs, cupboards, and book racks; stationery items like pen holders and old boards; jars and bottles; even old clothes and bedsheets can double up as lampshades and small curtains respectively. To find inspiration, there are a lot of useful videos available online that you can watch and get ideas.

Storage Spruce-Up

Creating smart storage helps optimise space on a small budget. You could have a bed cabinet and sofas that can be used for storage also. If you have less floor area, go for wall-hung bookshelves and TV units to make it look spacious and neat. Also, pick collapsible furniture to save space without losing on basic utilities.

Home improvement doesn’t always mean making a lot of changes. It could be just one change that makes a big, noticeable difference.

Exciting Elements

Go Green: Plants add soul to space. At home, it is a great way to make your house look revamped. Depending on the kind of space you own, you can have more than one green corner in the house. In fact, plants fit almost anywhere – you can place them in pathways, corridors, in the living room, on the terrace, on kitchen sills, windows, etc. Place them in pots of varied materials, designs, shapes and sizes to add a dash of green to your living.
The Showcase Spot: Home improvement doesn’t always mean making a lot of changes. It could be just one change that makes a big, noticeable difference. One such idea is to have a wall that catches the eye as soon as someone enters the room. Let it showcase your true, inner self, maybe through a lot of family pictures, or quotes that inspire you, or an artistic masterpiece you love. You could also have a huge bookstand that stacks your favourite authors or maybe a pinboard full of souvenirs and collectables. The possibilities are endless.

A few more budget-friendly home improvement hacks

Rearrange your furniture pieces. Repair/polish or upgrade them if required. Discard the ones occupying too much space and replace them with smaller, smarter ones.
Create a focal area in your home – it could be in your living room, your balcony, or study corner.
Change the curtains and upholstery. Get quirky or traditional cushion covers matching your style.
Make your corridors interesting.
Get air plants² for your bathroom.

No improvement idea will be sustainable unless the house is healthy and in a good condition.

There is no dearth of ideas to improve and innovate your dwelling space, even on a tight budget. It just requires some creativity and effort. However, no improvement idea will be sustainable unless the house is healthy and in a good condition. For that, you first need to address common but critical issues like water leakage, damp, damaged waterproofing, cracks in walls and ceilings, faulty electrical wiring, and so on.

For this, it is recommended to go to trusted home inspection services that can help you arrest all kinds of problems, especially the ones that need urgent attention. Typically, a home inspection service will cover all major areas and elements of the house, including:

A detailed report of issues will cover the health of all these areas and elements. It will also state the condition of materials, installation & finishing, operations & functionalities, and general safety.

The report must be understood to prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance. Make a list of things that need to be fixed right away and ones that can wait. Address the most important ones, before you even think of other kinds of decor and design enhancement options. Only once these things are taken care of, the money spent on home improvement becomes worthwhile.

Reference links used:
1. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/recycle-reuse-home-decorating-ideas-3166.html
2. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/grow-air-plants/

The RERA Karnataka has made public a list of 32 projects across the state which have violated guidelines laid by it when releasing advertisements.

March 8, 2021

RERA cracks the whip on real estate promoters over advertisements

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority-Karnataka (RERA-K) has made public a list of 32 projects across the state which have violated guidelines laid by it when releasing advertisements. All projects in the state need to mandatorily register under RERA and this number should figure in every advertisement by the promoter under Section 11 of the Act.

The 32 projects that have been listed on the RERA portal for violations are — Devagiri Emaralds, Golden Springs, Century Greens, Century Greens Phase-2, Sangam Grand, JR Habitat, Elmwood Phase-2, Aastha Properties Phase-3, Chaitanya Samarth, Century Ethos, and Centreo. RERA Secretary K S Lathakumari said, “Promoters have the responsibility of notifying the RERA registration number.

Those who have not done so, should realise this and also educate home buyers in this regard.” Under Section 11 (2) of the Act, “The advertisement or prospectus issued or published by the promoter shall mention prominently the website address of the Authority, wherein all details of the registered project have been entered and include the registration number obtained from the Authority and such other matters incidental thereto.”

M S Shankar, General Secretary, Forum for People’s Collective Efforts, told The New Indian Express, “We welcome the maiden initiatives of K-Rera which has started to analyse the advertisements of projects and issuing notices to those violating the advertisement norms per RERA Act. This kind of action will go a long way in helping home buyers from misleading advertisements.”

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2021/mar/01/rera-cracks-the-whip-on-real-estate-promoters-over-adverts-2270296.html

Planning to renovate your home, here are the tips to save money while renovation.

March 6, 2021

9 Pro Tips on How to Save Money While Renovating Your House

Planning to renovate your ancestral home or your own home that you bought a few years ago? Home renovation does not specifically mean only to fix the damaged parts or paint the house. But there is more to it; it is a step forward to make your house beautiful as well as stronger than it was before. And while doing so, you might end up spending a lot of money that includes your savings too, as in the process you would have to add small things too that you failed to notice when you were planning a renovation.

Sounds startling? No need to be so as we are here to tell you various ways that can help you and provide you with various tips that can help you save your money while renovating your house. You can take a look at these tips and help yourself from spending too much money.

If you plan a budget for your renovation, then you would face fewer problems while you are in the process of renovating your home.

1. Create a Budget and Stick To It

Before we move further with the topic, we would like to mention what budget renovation means. The term “budget” isn’t the same as cheap. Whenever you plan to make a change in your house or renovate it, you must first make a list of the items that are to be renovated and allot them as per your income. After that, you can fix the price for the materials and then start to make a grasp on what you want to work on according to the budget.

You must then create a spreadsheet and add everything you want to buy. This includes paints, countertops, lighting, plate covers, tiles, cabinet hardware, appliances and other outlets. If you plan a budget for your renovation, then you would face fewer problems while you are in the process of renovating your home.

If you take time & think about which parts of house to be renovated, then you might come up with innovative ideas.

2. Take Time to Think

Waiting for collecting the money needed for renovation and then planning to renovate is not a bad idea. Also, if you take time and think about which parts of them to renovate the house, you might come up with innovative ideas and this is only possible after deep thinking. If you rush into things then you might forget about important issues that you would regret later.

Upcycled items will keep your costs under control while adding a fresh new touch to your home.

3. Use and Upcycle Things Which You Already Have

Not every piece of furniture or installation in your home has to be replaced. For home renovation, more than new things, you need a new idea. Once you have visualized that, try to fit your old home decor items into that theme. The old lampshade will still sit pretty at one corner of your bedroom, the retro wooden table will look great in a different colour polish; use it to create a sitting area on your balcony. There is a lot you can do with your old kitchen cabinets – use them mindfully to create separate storage units or shoe racks but of course, not before repairing the hinges or polishing them afresh. Upcycled items will keep your costs under control while adding a fresh new touch to your home.

4. Storage and Kitchen

When you plan to renovate your house, you may also want to maximize and de-clutter the storage. In this case, utilizing the kitchen to maximize the storage area can help you solve the problem and make a place for your knickknacks. To save money while doing this you can take the help of DIY kitchen cabinets as well as recycled materials available at your home or take help from the thrift stores around your house.

It is you who know what is needed to make your kitchen a better place and by taking the help of DIY you can not only save money but also reuse the materials otherwise kept in your storage room. And if you already have a cabinet in your kitchen, then all you need to do is repaint them to give them a new look.

Replacing your old electrical wiring fittings with the latest products can make a lot of difference in your house... and in your bills!

5. Electrical fittings

Replacing your old electrical fittings and wiring with the latest products can make a lot of difference in your house and in your bills! For example, replacing your old tube lights with LED tubes, bulbs with LED bulbs, and worn-out cables with new ones can save you a lot of money on your electricity bills while turning your house more energy-efficient. Also, you must check for any defective electrical components that may cause incidents totally uncalled for.

If you are planning to change the floor, you must first keep aside the money for that and then spend the rest of the money.

6. Floor Renovation

Floor renovation might seem expensive if you are on a tight budget. So, if you are planning to change the floor, you must first keep aside the money for that and then spend the rest of the money on other things. However, this strictly needs technical intervention as there may be plenty of problems above and/or underneath the floor like degraded grout, worn-out joints between the floor and the walls or concealed leakage, etc. You must detect and fix these issues first and then do the rest of the renovation – looks-wise.

Try online shopping, you will come across a large number of options in terms of material, type and functionality.

7. Shop online

Don’t be old-school and think about picking your new home renovation stuff from physical stores only. Try online shopping too. Thanks to the flourishing online shopping¹ trends, you will come across a large number of options in terms of material, type and functionality. Moreover, many online stores keep announcing ‘SALE’ and give exciting offers every now and then. If you are a little alert, you can get the items you have been looking for at lucrative prices. So, shop, save and have a renovated home in no time.

To deal with those unexpected cost components, you should keep a buffer fund in hand.

8. Keep buffer funds

No matter how well you plan your budget, there are going to be some out-of-the-blue expenses because you never know looking at your home superficially where there’s a hidden problem. To deal with those unexpected cost components, you should keep a buffer fund in hand. Then it will not appear like an extra outflow of money.

Smart indoor gardening will not only come cheap but will also go a long way in making your home beautiful and sustainable.

There is nothing cheaper and more beautiful than plants

Though indoor gardening is more about home decoration than renovation, there’s nothing more appealing than it. Smart indoor gardening will not only come cheap but will also go a long way in making your home beautiful and sustainable. Pick lots of potted plants from the nearest mart for every possible corner of your home. Consider vertical gardening to create a statement wall(but always maintain a gap in between vertical gardens & building walls). Put a soothing grass carpet on your balcony and/or grow a long-cherished small kitchen garden on your rooftop. Trust us, small improvisations such as these will completely transform your home while not busting your budget for the renovation.

If you are planning to make structural changes then home inspection will advise the right way by preventing any future problem.

9. Home inspection

To think about renovating a home, you must first try to understand the problems that already exist in your house. While some of them are right in front of your eyes, some can only be recognized by an experienced individual. Therefore, you must find out a professional home inspector who can tell you the faults of your house by using his expertise and advanced technology solutions. Only he will be able to tell you if your roofs are damaged by looking into soft spots – a sign that the roof is falling.

Damp is often caused when there is a crack in the roof or ceiling or the plumbing of the house starts to leak etc. Damp can go unseen for years but if it is seen, we recommend that you get it repaired then and there. The one you hire will also be able to tell you about windows or door issues and issues created by the electrical system etc.

Apart from this, if you are planning to make structural changes then they will advise the right way by preventing any future problem. Also, read the reasons why it is important to have home inspection before renovation.

Visit the wholesale markets where the cost is a little less, if you planning for renovation.

A Pro Tip

If you are simply planning to renovate the interiors of your house then you may have to bear less cost. But if you are planning to change the floors, wiring, plumbing etc, then it may cost you significantly. You may also require labours for your work and that way, you will have to bear more expenses. So to keep your budget on track, you should research properly and then buy the materials from the place where the cost is lesser than the other.

You might also visit the wholesale markets where the cost is a little less. Remember to buy it yourself and do not depend on the workers as they might tell you a higher price for the same thing. And as already discussed, you can shop online during sales. Apart from getting the advantage of selecting from a vast range of items, you can also receive cashback in your wallet and other exciting rewards. Moreover, it will save you time and you will get the products delivered to the doorstep.

Renovating a house can be exciting and tiring at the same time. But with smart shopping and innovative planning, you can renovate your house by maintaining your taste without exceeding the budget. If you have more queries or want to know more about home inspection, you can reach out to us on MACJ.

Reference links used:
1. https://www.builddirect.com/blog/10-benefits-of-shopping-for-home-improvement-products-online/

Finally, the Housing and Urban Development Department has started an exercise for the appointment of Chairperson and two Members of the Authority by inviting applications from the eligible persons.

March 1, 2021

Finally, Govt sets into motion exercise for setting up of RERA

The dilly-dallying approach in the establishment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has finally come to an end with Housing and Urban Development Department setting into motion an exercise for the appointment of Chairperson and two Members and formal orders are likely to be issued by the end of next month.

The Parliament in the month of March 2016 had enacted the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act for regulation and promotion of real estate sector and to ensure sale of real estate projects in an efficient and transparent manner and to protect the interest of consumers.

The Section 84(1) of the Act confers powers on the Governments of States and Union Territories to frame Rules to carry out the implementation of law. In exercise of this power, the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir framed J&K Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2020 and the same were notified by the Housing and Urban Development Department on July 22, 2020.

However, no immediate steps were initiated for establishment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the dilly-dallying approach was highlighted by EXCELSIOR in its edition dated December 3, 2020. It was revealed that implementation of Central Law could not begin even several months after the framing of Rules in the absence of Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

Finally, the Housing and Urban Development Department has started an exercise for the appointment of Chairperson and two Members of the Authority by inviting applications from the eligible persons. All these applications will be placed before a Selection Committee consisting of the Chief Justice of the High Court or his nominee, the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department and Secretary of Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs strictly as per Section 22 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

It is pertinent to mention here that a person having adequate knowledge of and professional experience of at least 20 years in urban development, housing, real estate development, infrastructure, economics etc is eligible for the pose of Chairperson while as for the posts of Members 15 years experience has been fixed and eligibility criteria is same.

Moreover, a person who is or has been in the service of the Government shall not be appointed as Chairperson unless such person has held the post of Additional Secretary in the Central Government or any equivalent post in the Central Government or State Government.

Sources disclosed that entire exercise vis-à-vis setting up of Real Estate Regulatory Authority by appointing Chairperson and Members will be completed by the end of next month so as to ensure that fast expanding real estate sector in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is regulated in a transparent manner.

“The Authority will have the powers to direct the promoter, allottee or real estate agent to furnish in writing information or explanation and requisition any public record or document or copy of such record from any office”, sources said, adding “after the establishment of Authority, the Government will initiate steps to set up Real Estate Appellate Tribunal so that any person aggrieved by any direction or decision or order made by the Authority may prefer an appeal before the Appellate Tribunal”.

They further said, “there is also a provision in the Act that until the establishment of an Appellate Tribunal, the Government may designate by order any Appellate Tribunal functioning under any law for the time being in force, to be the Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals under the Act”.

It is pertinent to mention here that since real estate sector is growing fast in the length and breadth of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir there is a dire need for regulating in most transparent manner. Everybody-promoter, allottee and real estate agent have been covered under the Act and Rules so that the sector is regulated properly.

Source: https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/finally-govt-sets-into-motion-exercise-for-setting-up-of-rera/

Signs of dampness or moisture are common but not the knowledge about its sources and effects. Read this article to know the sources and effects of dampness in a house.

February 27, 2021

Top 7 Sources of Dampness in a House & its Harmful Effects

Flaky paint, leaky ceiling, wet and patchy walls – Aren’t these a common sight in most houses we see around us? Let’s face it, our own houses, too, must have had one or a few of these imperfections at some point in time. We noticed; we disliked; we thought of doing something about it; and perhaps, we moved on! – Often, taking inadequate or no measures at all. But do you know – dampness is one of the most harmful things that can cause a building to deteriorate prematurely? Worse – it affects the health of the residents severely.

To prevent a house from becoming damp, we must know the reasons behind it. Faulty sills, bad masonry work, subsoil water in the foundation are just some of the most common causes of dampness in a building. What are the other sources of dampness? What are the effects of it? Read on to know it all.

Sources of Dampness in Buildings

There are a number of sources of dampness in buildings. Some of the common causes are as follows:

1. Improper Plumbing Installation

Improper plumbing installation in buildings can lead to leakage/dampness problems with gradual use. This can be due to the following few things:

If FTA (female threaded adapter) of a plumbing fitting is installed inside the tiles then an extension piece is required. This creates an extra joint in the pipeline which may lead to leakage.
UPVC pipe used in a hot water line is an example of the incorrect material selected as per its properties. In such cases, the material, unable to withstand high temperatures, will begin to degrade and break down leading to leakage.
The wrong solvent-material used for joining pipes can be another cause of plumbing failure. For example, if pipes are made of UPVC, the solvent or glue to be used should also be UPVC-compatible. The same is applicable to CPVC pipes. Any incompatibility here can lead to leakage and dampness due to a less firm joint.
If grouting is not provided at the junction around bathroom floor drain outlet pipe, there will be spreading of moisture. This will ultimately lead to unhealthy & unhygienic conditions for residents and can lead to deterioration at below storey ceiling surfaces in due course of time.
Loose plumbing fitting or inadequate tightening of plumbing fitting with FTA or other faulty workmanship at the time of installation etc. are also one of the common reasons which lead to leakage/ dampness problem.

2. Faulty waterproofing

If the waterproofing membranes are not overlapped properly, rainwater can seep through the gaps. Besides, wrong sloping, defective junctions between the slab of the roof, terrace and parapet of the wall, and clogged outlets may also lead to water stagnation resulting in dampness.

Moisture intrusion can also happen if no fillet or drip mould is provided at the chhajja.

3. The intrusion of rainwater through walls

Most common damage inside homes occurs due to water seepage from the gaps between window frame & external wall. Gap will be a source for moisture to flow inside the home. If gaps are not filled properly, it will lead to moisture intrusion, paint deterioration & damage to inside walls.

Moisture intrusion can also happen if no fillet or drip mould is provided at the chhajja. Also, If the paint used on the exterior wall is not of water-repelling variety then moisture can settle beneath the coat and spread internally over time. In both cases, exterior walls begin to deteriorate fast due to moisture.

4. Poor construction materials

Sometimes defective construction materials are used during the construction of the building which can lead to construction quality issues. For example: If poor quality materials are used like sand with excess salt then efflorescence will happen sooner or later. Poor quality bricks will swell upon absorbing rainwater leading to dampness.

5. Indoor Plants

Most plants release moisture into the surrounding air through small pores called stomata on the leaves – a process called transpiration. This increases the moisture content¹ of the indoor air. But not all plants are humidifying. Moreover, you must know how much to water your potted green friends so that they do not release excess moisture into the air. A little knowledge of indoor gardening can help you avoid dampness in your home while still making it eco-friendly and sustainable.

6. Vegetation

Vegetation growth around the wall is very harmful as vegetation in and around the walls leads to cracks in them and over time these cracks widen. Water deposits in these cracks causing further dampness.

7. Improper Ventilation

Dampness is inevitable if your house is improperly ventilated. Numerous processes like exhalation by the inmates of the house, cooking, and use of geyser in the bathroom add moisture to the indoor air. If the area is closed, this excess moisture gets trapped. There should be proper air circulation in the house so that an optimum moisture level is maintained and indoor air quality never deteriorates.

Adverse effects of Dampness in a House / Property

Dampness has serious consequences on the health of a building. It needs to be dealt with urgency. Otherwise, a culmination of all these damages may eventually lower its life expectancy.

Pest and insect growth: Damp households cause unhygienic conditions of living. Damp places attract microbes and insects. Damp places are breeding places of gregarious pests like mosquitoes, flies, and termites. Respiratory problems, wheezing skin rashes, allergies are often found in inhabitants living in damp areas.
Electric appliance damage: Moisture present in a house, if it comes in contact with the electric appliances, will damage them. This can also lead to serious problems like electrocution of the appliance and the person handling it might suffer an electric shock. So it is very important that areas around the switchboard and wiring have no moisture deposition.
Damage to doors and walls: Damp environment can have serious damage to wooden doors and windows. This leads to termite infestation in them along with swelling up of the wood. Doors and windows may even completely get damaged becoming function-less. In severe cases, installations might get damaged.
Damage to wooden furniture: A humid indoor atmosphere can affect the wooden furniture and other materials made of wood in the house. Wood absorbs moisture and swells up and this is certainly not good for the longevity of the furniture.
Corrosion of metal: Metal appliances, furniture or other items may get corroded due to the presence of moisture. Metals attract moisture and rust or lose the sheen with time. Metal installations may even become brittle and break off. This is dangerous especially in the case of railings and grills.
The efflorescence of plaster, bricks and paint: As already discussed, dampness renders bricks and plaster to crumble. Porosity increases and the strength of the materials decrease which is harmful to the building. The coating of paint also turns flaky and tends to fall off. This gives a nasty feel & look to the house. Peeling of the paint exposes the walls and ceiling to further damage.
Unpleasant-looking household: Damp patches on the walls with algal spores growing on them give a bad and unwelcoming look to the house. A stale, suffocating smell fills the air. This smell can cause allergy and skin diseases in many individuals.

A damp house is a constant source of illness. Dampness affects your two most important assets - your home and your health.

Effects of Dampness – On Health

A damp house is a constant source of illness. It causes:

Respiratory ailments: Allergic rhinitis, chronic to acute breathing problems or asthma
Skin ailments: Rashes and redness
Recurring cold and flu
Depression

Therefore practically, dampness affects your two most important assets- your home and your health. Can anything be scarier than this?

Watch the video for better understanding:

Last but not the least, dampness lowers your living standards. Who would like to reside in a perennially cold, stale-smelling house? To avoid this unpleasant situation, the source and the cause of damp should be identified first, and then repaired for a permanent cure.

Nowadays, waterproofing and damp-proofing materials are available widely in the market to shield your abode from dampness and its harmful effects. With the advancement in technology, effective moisture and damp assessment can be done with thermal imaging technology, as well. You must opt for professionals for effective detection of dampness for ensuring a healthy home.

Don’t make living with dampness a habit. Take definitive steps to get rid of this hidden devil corroding away your hygiene and safety silently but steadily.

Reference links used:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/humidifying-plants

The Real estate Regulatory Authority of Himachal Pradesh ordered to recover the entire amount paid by the complaints from developers and builders in violation of the norms. Read the RERA update to know more.

February 22, 2021

HP RERA orders builders to refund dues with interest

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday ordered to recover the entire amount paid by the complaints from the developers and builders in violation of the norms, deciding dozens of complaints pending before the authority here.

The authority had received 14 different complaints against Rajdeep and Company Infra Pvt Ltd and others.

Out of 14 complaints received against the above promoters and developers, 12 complaints have been decided in favour of allottees and two other complaints were pending for hearing in respect of the project named as Himalaya Residency, located at Bharari in Shimla.

Source: http://www.uniindia.com/hp-rera-orders-builders-to-refund-dues-with-interest/north/news/2321605.html

No matter if you are a home buyer, home-owner, a builder, interior designer, a real estate agent or seller, Home Inspection will spell beneficial for you. How? Read this article to know.

February 20, 2021

Home Inspection: A 360° Benefit for All Real Estate Stakeholders

Home Inspection – this small two-word concept is more multi-dimensional than anyone can imagine. In India, both in urban and semi-urban areas, one cannot neglect home inspection any more.

Because there happens to be multiple aspects of a home inspection, it is useful not just to the homeowners; it is an indispensable solution for the real estate professionals, the interior designers, the home sellers, and the financial institutions. In the era of 5G Internet Of Things, the purview of a home inspection is getting expanded further.

Home Inspection finds out faults, defects, damages and dangers in the building or a unit (and around it) before they become too tough to handle.

Look at these three news headlines

Mahad Building collapse: ‘Building started developing cracks three years after it was constructed’ (Indian Express¹, August 2020)
Notice issued to the builder for latent defects in the building after the owner notices leakage during the rainy season. (Case Mine², 2013)
Paint factory in Mandhana gutted in fire due to electrical short circuit, loss of lakhs. (Times of India³, October 2020)

Home Inspection helps the home buyer assess the condition of the house they are about to buy.

Home Inspection: A Blessing for The Home Owner/Buyer

Imagine you worked hard, exerted yourself for 10 years to buy your dream house. But just after three years, you notice that your dream home has started developing cracks or dampness. All your dreams would come crashing down.

Home Inspection helps the home buyer assess the condition of the house they are about to buy. This will make sure that the buyer does not get any rude shock after a few years of buying the house. The importance of home inspection increases manifolds if the buyer is buying an old house from a seller.

Even if you are already living in your house for years, it is necessary to inspect your home to ensure the safety of your family and to increase the longevity of your house by identifying the areas where prior repair work or an annual maintenance is needed.

How Home Inspection Benefits the Buyers and Owners?

With Home Inspection, the buyer can identify if any part of the newly made building / flat is not built properly. It can identify areas where cracks are likely to appear in the future, it can identify if the house is prone to moisture damage. In short, Home Inspection will help buyers to get value for money.
Home Inspection examines the nuances – it will examine if the bathroom floor and terrace are slanting enough to allow proper drainage of water. It will ensure if any part of the house (old) is covered with paint to hide moulds. It will also ensure that the exterior part of the house – including the ground – is up to the mark. Read here what exactly do we do during Home Inspection.
By identifying areas where immediate repair work is needed, Home Inspection ensures the safety of the residents.
Above all, Home Inspection saves you a lot of money by identifying the areas of repair that can be quite expensive to repair if they are left neglected for a few more years. Time is money – early detection and correction of damages will be beneficial for your purse.

Home Inspection: A Seller’s Friend

The seller of an old house will also benefit from Home Inspection. In fact, Home Inspection will give the sellers a better bargaining proposition. Here’s how:

The moment you buy a house, its value starts depreciating. A well-cared house, with regular Home Inspection to find and repair damages, will have a lesser depreciation rate than a not so well maintained house.
A well-maintained house can help you ask for more money from the buyer.
With Home Inspection, you can avoid severe damage by taking care of the small damages in time.
A seller who can truthfully show the pros and cons of the house will get respect from the buyer. Also, the seller can avoid any lawsuit in the future by truthfully showing the outcome of the Home Inspection.

The importance of Home Inspection has increased manifold after the passing of RERA Act.

Home Inspectors: The Eyes and Ears of the Real Estate Developer

The developer / promoter cannot be present during the building development process. However, it is essential to supervise the development / construction of the building in order to ensure satisfactory artistry and usage of quality building materials.

The importance of Home Inspection has increased manifold after the passing of RERA Act that rules that the developer has to repair any damage to the newly made house if it develops any damages within 5 years from the date of handover.

Home Inspection can find faults during the development of the building. Identifying a fault before a building is made will result in correcting that problem by spending less amount of money than what you would have spent if the building was in a ready-for-possession state.
With the Home Inspectors present, the developer himself will not have to micromanage the building development.
Home Inspection will save real estate developers from the clutches of the RERA Act by ensuring superior workmanship and usage of quality building materials.
Home Inspection works as the third-party audit of the building which gives the buyers peace of mind and enhances the reputation of the developer.

Learn how Home Inspection Enhances the Image of The Real Estate Agent.

Home Inspection: A Smart Tool for Smarter Real Estate Agents

Any responsible real estate agent would like to stay true to his words. Home Inspection will help him do just that.

Real Estate agents do not build the house – they are there to find a customer and sell the house to the customer. However, there is a huge trust deficit when it comes to the relationship between the buyers and the agents. A smart real estate agent would love to amend this trust issue.

Here is how Home Inspection Enhances the Image of The Real Estate Agent:

A real estate agent who can furnish the proof that the building is inspected and passed by a registered Home Inspector will be trusted by the home buyer.
Any issue identified by the Home Inspector must be revealed to the buyer. If the real estate agent does that, he will be respected by the buyer for his truthfulness.
Real estate agents can avoid lawsuits and breach of contract, by informing the buyers beforehand about the issues concerning the house.

When Home Inspection Meets Interior Decoration – a Marriage made in Heaven

Interior Decorators who perform Home Inspection will go a long way in their career. There is more than one reason how conducting a home inspection before starting and also during the decoration work can help the interior decorators.

Suppose an interior decorator has to stick a nail to the wall. As he starts hammering down, a big chunk of outer plaster falls off. The homeowner will obviously blame the interior decorator. But actually, that portion of the wall was weak due to too much moisture. A prior home inspection would have revealed this issue. So, Home Inspection keeps the decorator safe from unjust blames.
A faulty area of the house is not the liability of the interior decorator. It is the homeowner who should spend money to repair the damage. Home Inspection can thus help decorators avoid spending money on things that they are not supposed to be in the purview of the decorator.
If any portion or accessory of the house gets damaged during the decoration work, it can unnecessarily delay the work of the decorator. Home Inspection acts as a detection tool for the interior decorator. It can help the decorator estimate the overall structural condition, detect invisible dampness and potentially weak areas of the house. This knowledge can help the interior decorator serve clients in a much more comprehensive fashion.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. With the advent of sensor-based home-devices, the importance of Home Inspection will be felt much more strongly in the coming years. Home Inspection is a must for anybody who is dealing with a house.

FAQs

1. Home Inspection – Is it worth it?
Ans. Home Inspection is really worthwhile. Just like you cannot see the viruses that can make you sick, you cannot see all the dampness, moulds or small cracks that can severely damage your house in the future.

A Home Inspection Today Will Save Your Money Tomorrow.

Home Inspection is not one thing – it is a group of tasks. Home Inspectors look for various issues in all elements of home.

2. What happens in a Home Inspection? What should you expect?
Ans. Home Inspection is not one thing – it is a group of tasks. Home Inspectors:

Look for leaks and seepage of water from the pipes, tanks and other areas.
Thoroughly check for hidden dampness/seepage that can be detrimental to the health of both the house and its inhabitants. With modern infrared detectors, home inspectors can now forecast areas where you can expect moisture-related problems within a few areas.
Check if there are any cracks in the wall and the ceiling.
Check the drainage system in the bathroom, on the terrace etc.
Look for damages to the window and the door.
Look for unsafe wiring and electrical equipment.

… and much more …

Find our home inspection services in these locations.

3. Can I find Home Inspection service near me?
Ans. Yes, Home Inspection is gradually becoming a popular term in India. Please visit this page to know where to find Home Inspection service near you.

Reference links used:
1. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mahad-building-collapse-building-started-developing-cracks-three-years-after-it-was-constructed/
2. https://www.casemine.com/judgement/in/59f94c514a932658e9cc1ed3
3. https://m.timesofindia.com/city/kanpur/paint-factory-in-mandhana-gutted-in-fire-loss-of-lakhs/amp_articleshow/78502713.cms

RERA Bihar has ordered the confiscation of all properties of the directors of Agrani Homes Private limited and freezing of their bank accounts.

February 15, 2021

Confiscate property of Agrani directors: RERA

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Bihar has ordered confiscation of all movable and immovable property of the present and previous directors of Agrani Homes Private Limited and freezing of their bank accounts.

The order was passed by the bench of RERA, Bihar chairman Afzal Amanullah and member R B Sinha on February 10. The two were hearing a bunch of complaints filed by the aggrieved real estate buyers, who have made payments to Agrani Homes but have not got possession of the property.

The RERA has also ordered that utilisation of a building constructed on a residential plot in Patliputra area by Ruben Hospital (Ruben Patliputra Hospital Pvt Ltd) be stopped until further orders or an approval from Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) for utilisation of the residential property as a hospital, whichever is earlier. Ruben Hospital has been asked to explain why they were using the building for medical purposes without proper deed as well as authorisation from PMC.

The RERA bench has observed that a part of the money paid by Ruben Hospital for buying the land at Patliputra was used by Agrai Homes for closure of a loan account of Indus Ventures, a firm run by Vijaya Raj Laxmi, wife of Alok Kumar, managing director of Agrani Homes.

The RERA has stated in its order that all moveable and immoveable property of Alok, his wife Vijaya and their son should be brought under the lien of RERA with immediate effect. Similarly, all moveable, immovable properties and bank accounts of all its present and previous directors, their spouses, dependent children and all their power of attorney holders have been frozen.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/confiscate-property-of-agrani-directors-rera/articleshow/80901356.cms

Author: MACJ-ABCHI