Buying a home for the first time demands a lot of research. Read the blog to know tips for a first time home buyer.

Tips For A First-time Homebuyer

Nothing matches the comfort of our own home. And thus, having that coveted ‘own space’ which we can call a home is a dream for many. But to convert it into reality needs diligence, financial commitment, and hard work. Purchasing a home can be a challenging task for first-timers. As a first-time homebuyer, one needs to be very careful and understand all the processes involved. One needs to give one’s effort and time while looking for a home. Be it your budget or the life of the building – you need to know everything inside out.

Given such critical aspects of home buying, here are some of the aspects that you must look upon while buying a new house for the first time:

There are several factors that you should look into while considering the size of the house. Know how big should the property be?

1. How big should the property be?

Homes with bigger space do allure us with the spaciousness, but do you really need that much space? There are several factors that you should look into while considering the size of the house. How many family members of yours will live there? How many guests can the house accommodate? Your future plans? Are you buying the home for self-use or is it for investment purpose? Most importantly, does it match your budget? Find the answers to these and you can decide the perfect size of the residence in no time.

Builders often impose a high rate per square foot for the flats that are located above in the high-rising construction.

2. Floor rise

If you are looking for a flat or apartment, this one is particularly for you. Builders often impose a high rate per square foot for the flats that are located above in the high-rising construction. This tells that the flats on the ground floor are comparatively cheaper than the ones located above. You should also keep in mind that the corner flats are often sold for a premium. When you look for a home you should also notice and make sure that the builder is adhering to the standardised set of rules laid down by the government for residential apartments in the National Building Code1. For example, as per NBC2 India 2005, the height of all standard rooms for human habitation shall not be less than 2.75 metres from the floor surface to the lowest point of the ceiling. There are other similar general building requirements3 which you as a first-time homebuyer should be aware of.

Housing complexes are coming up with varieties of amenities such as clubhouses, gym, swimming pools, game rooms as well as spas.

3. Look at the facilities available in the premise

Modern housing has changed the mindset of the people. Hence, nowadays housing complexes are coming up with varieties of luxuries such as clubhouses, gym, swimming pools, game rooms as well as spas. However, the more the amenities, the more is the cost & maintenance issues. While buying a house, you should carefully look for these luxuries and whether they are suitable for your lifestyle or not (or do you even need them or not). For example, if you have a small child, then having a complex which has a park or a game room can be a quality investment. Also do not forget to check for the parking facilities if you have your vehicle.

The location of your housing complex is of prime importance.

4. Location is of prime importance

How far is your office from your home? How far will the children have to travel while going to school? Is the market near? Is there a hospital nearby? The location will depend on the answers to these questions. Some people do not own a personal car or bike, and if you are one of them then you must keep in mind the ease of access to public transport systems like taxi, bus, auto and metro stations or a railway station. All these factors are crucial, and so you must look into them very carefully. After taking care of these factors, you should also make sure that the place has grocery stores and other markets that are necessary for daily household.

Before purchasing a flat or a readymade home, you must have a look at the track record and reputation of the promoter or the builder from whom you are planning to buy.

5. How reputed is the builder or the promoter?

Before purchasing a flat or a readymade home, you must have a look at the track record and reputation of the promoter or the builder from whom you are planning to buy. Find out whether they have a good reputation in the market for completing the projects on time or whether people regret after getting the key to their abode delivered to them. Make sure to know where the builder stays as that can help you in case of an emergency. Check whether the project is registered under RERA (HIRA for West Bengal4).

A home loan helps you to make your dreams come true as well as gives you tax benefits.

6. Funds for your dream home

When it comes to real estate, affording them comes with a cost. To be able to buy your dream house, you need funds. While you may have some savings that you can use in fulfilling the down payment but you may have to take the help of a home loan to fill the gap. When you do so, be careful that you take the loan from a reputed housing finance organization that offers timely disbursals and sanctions, gives reasonable charges, and long tenure loans. A home loan helps you to make your dreams come true as well as gives you tax benefits.

Property insurance protects your financial future in case of any damage that happens to the property.

7. Property Insurance

Property insurance protects your financial future in case of any damage that happens to the property. The insurance cost is comparatively low and provides coverage if there is a problem with the property or damage and legal issue. There are several insurance policies that you can choose according to your requirements. Choosing proper house insurance helps to protect the property.

While some people plan to buy their own house, some are there who buy a pre-owned home. If you are planning to buy a pre-owned home, you should make sure that you inspect the legal and structural soundness to avoid problems in the future.

While some people plan to buy their own house, some are there who buy a pre-owned home. Read the tips for Pre-owned home.

Here are some more tips that you must additionally follow if you are planning to buy a pre-owned home..

1. Check the real condition of the surfaces

A beautiful exterior may hide severe damages. One who wants to sell a house will make sure that the paint is more or less proper and not peeling off but there might be critical problems beneath. You should hire a trusted professional – a home inspector – who has in-depth knowledge about this and will be able to spot the underlying issues. After the inspection is done, chances are that the house may need a renovation. After assessing the damages consult with an expert for estimating the cost of renovation.

2. Look through the property’s past

In some cases, the one who is selling the property might not be the actual owner of the flat. You need to trace the ownership depending on the age of the property. For doing this you must consult a lawyer who is eligible to prepare a report on the particular property. The one who owns the property must have possession of the original documents. The amount of the property should be equal to the value of the property.

3. Do some bargaining

In most cases, the owner of a property might be under some pressure to sell the flat or the home; so it is important to bargain which can come to your benefit. Identify the defects carefully and then press the owner for additional discounts. And if there is a need for renovating, then that can get you a good deal. Second-hand houses in Mumbai are 5% less costly than the new projects while properties in Chennai, Gurgaon, and Bangalore are 10% to 15% lesser than the new ones.

4. Check for prospects, fees

Before signing the legal documents, make sure that you look through the maintenance fees and the parking charges that you have to deposit. Be it a new house or an old one, any house that you buy is probably one of the biggest investments of your life. So, do not forget to ask the property dealer about how much the property would be worth after ten years and more.

Check both the inside and outside areas before choosing an apartment or house.

Let’s not forget to have a look below the surface

Outside the house

  • Check the walls properly, and make sure that there is no dampness. Fresh paints might hide the damages.
  • Tap all the woodwork, especially windows and doors. If there is a problem with that like hollow sound or dust coming out, then talk with the owner.
  • Examine the water supply systems very carefully.
  • Make sure to check the drainage system of the building.

Inside the house

  • Check for water leaks, and other suspicious means inside the house.
  • Carefully examine the walls, whether there is any damage or bulk or maybe crack on them.
  • Check the closed spaces for any kind of fungal growth.
  • Open the tap to see if there is any kind of problem with the plumbing.
  • Ask for the layout and the age of the wiring from the housing society or owner.
Opt for home inspection services to get a health & safety Check-up of home.

Finally, get a Health & Safety Check-up of your Home – Opt for a home inspection

A hitherto alien concept in the Indian market, Home Inspection is now gaining popularity at a rapid pace. There are many firms specialising in property inspection services today. They take the onus of examining every inch of the property that you are buying and spot the defects that you may otherwise overlook. Equipped with the right knowledge and advanced tools, they come up with suggestions that save you from future home-related problems and recurring expenses.

So, all you need to do before buying your first home is doing a bit of research and the experience is bound to turn into a satisfactory one.

Coming back home, sitting on the front porch and sipping freshly brewed coffee – sounds welcoming? You are all set to own a home if you have considered the above facts. If you haven’t done that till now, get geared up and start your search for the perfect home.

Reference links used:

1. https://housing.com/news/national-building-code-india-residential-apartments/
2. https://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/No-ceiling-for-ceiling-heights/article14675568.ece
3. http://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Chap-4.pdf
4. https://hira.wb.gov.in/district_project.php?dcode=10001000000032

RERA Karnataka will impose a fine of Rs 10,000 per month on builders for not filing quarterly updates on the project status.

RERA to levy delay fee on builders across Karnataka

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority-Karnataka (RERA-K) will impose a fine of
wwRs 10,000 per month on builders across the State for not filing quarterly updates on the status of their projects, which is mandatory under the RERA Act. As per statistics available on its portal, the updates have not been uploaded for 811 projects.

RERA-K Chairperson K S Lathakumari told The New Indian Express, “The quarterly updates need to be compulsorily updated by the builders as they give the buyers an idea of the physical progress of the houses. The financial details pertaining to the amount collected as well as the amount spent so far too need to be updated.” She said that this pertains only to the period up to December 2019. “We have given a waiver for the year 2020 for all the projects due to Covid-19. However, the updates have not been filed even for the previous year by the builders,” she said.

A ‘Delay Fee’ of Rs 10,000 per month would be imposed on each project, she said. “A common reason given for not filing quarterly updates was that the job was handed over by them to a consultant or a third party or even an employee who had quit. Some of them do not even know their login ID to update their projects. Hence, we have asked them to apply for it again online and update the reports.”

As per statistics available, 512 projects have not applied for extension on the RERA portal. Of these, 413 projects have not filed quarterly updates even for a single financial quarter. Out of another 515 projects that are ongoing ones, 398 have not filed quarterly updates. Action would be initiated under RERA Act under these provisions: Sections7 (3) revocation, Section 34 (1) and Section 63.

A total of 126 projects are set to get exemption from the penalty. “Of these, a total of 39 projects that had applied for a deadline extension to complete their projects would be allowed to do so and file quarterly updates within a month without delay fee,” the chairperson said. “Another 87 projects have applied for an extension and their applications are pending. Even they would get a month’s time to file their updates without the delay fee,” she added.

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2021/jan/19/rera-to-levy-delay-fee-on-builders-across-karnataka-2252000.html

Your home is your most precious possession. Keep it safe from any damage by opting for a home inspection services.

Prevent Any Damage to Your Most Important Investment: Opt for Home Inspection

Ravi and Malvika are a newlywed couple. They have recently bought a house where they plan to move in along with his parents. The whole family is happy. Ravi takes a good look at his brand new house and says “So, we don’t have to worry about the home for a long time… ah, finally!”

Days pass and within a few months, Ravi notices that the wall in one of the bedrooms has developed dampness. He thinks, it is temporary and does nothing. Soon the paint and the plaster start coming off – just after one year of construction! A frantic Ravi starts looking for a solution when a civil engineer friend advises him to look for the cause first. Ravi visually checks the window sides, the exterior walls, the ceiling and the roof but finds no crack / gap whatsoever in any possible place of leakage / seepage. He could not find the source.

And this is not all! Frequent tripping of circuit breakers starts giving his family the feel of living in a haunted house. What could be a happy one year completion of living in a new house turns out to be a matter of frustration for Ravi. After all, he had invested his hard-earned money in this house of his dreams.

Small damage in the house can turn out to be a big headache later. This kind of damage or potential safety issues can be detected well in advance (even after buying a house or if you are building a new house) with the help of Home Inspection. The importance of home Inspection is multiplied when the house is several years old.

So Know what exactly is Home inspection?

What Is Home Inspection?

A house has multiple components. There are so many rooms and passages. In each unit of space, there are so many elements and accessories. All these are essential for making a house an ideal place for living. Each of these elements is connected to each other (maybe not physically). When one of the parts of the house is damaged, it can impact other parts of the house too. These damages and faults can make the lives of people living there uncomfortable. Many times, these damages can lead to safety & health issues.

It is, therefore, necessary to inspect your home in order to detect these damages and prevent unwanted hassles. Early detection of damages and faults is beneficial – you can fix the issues without spending much money.

Home Inspection is thus worth opting for. Doing Home Inspection today will save you a lot of money tomorrow. What’s more, with Home Inspection, you can make sure that your house – your abode – is safe for your children and other family members.

What Does A Home Inspector Do?

A Home Inspector or rather – a Home Inspection team does a systematic review of the whole house along with everything in the property. All the areas of your property along with all the 7 elements (wall, ceiling, floor, doors, windows, plumbing, electrical) are checked and much more. Here is a list of things that home inspectors look for when they visit a house.

Home Inspection team uses state-of-the-art moisture detection tools to look for moisture within the walls.

Wall Inspection

India is a tropical country. The climate here is moist as monsoon dominates the seasonal cycle. This aspect makes the houses in India susceptible to moisture-related dampness. The Home Inspection team uses state-of-the-art moisture detection tools to look for moisture within the walls. This is a completely non-invasive procedure using modern thermal imaging – infrared technology. The team can tell if any wall has started to get damp without even touching the walls.

Besides, other issues like cracks, defects based on finish like efflorescence, hollowness etc are also diagnosed with precision by home inspectors.

Identifying and detecting the root cause of stains or other forms of moisture is an important step in dealing with it.

Ceiling Inspection

A ceiling is an overhead interior surface of a room or area. It can be made of RCC or masonry finish or can be a false ceiling. The things that are checked by home inspectors varies depending on the type of material. Unevenness, undulation, crack, and other surface deterioration or damages are commonly checked in most types. Similar to walls, visual signs of moisture or water stains are checked too in the ceiling. Identifying and detecting the root cause of stains or other forms of moisture is an important step in dealing with it. It is significant to find out the main reason behind the stains.

Flooring adds to the aesthetics of the room. Lot of parameters are checked by the home inspection team like Hollowness on tile, cracked / broken tile, gaps at tile joints, etc.

Floor Inspection

When you enter your house, flooring is the first element you feel. Flooring adds to the aesthetics of the room. There are various types of flooring materials – tiles, marble, mosaic, neat cement flooring etc. Considering common flooring(tiles), lot of parameters are checked by the home inspection team like Hollowness on tile, cracked/broken tile, gaps at tile joints, skirting fitted or not, the slope at wet areas, surface damage, etc. These points have their separate significance. Like it is necessary to check any hollow tiles present in flooring or dado. If there is any, then it can crack or get damaged on regular use. This can lead to seepage or other moisture-related problems. Similarly, the gap at tiles and the incorrect slope will lead to seepage and other deterioration which will create unhealthy living conditions. So, to avoid major repair cost and have hassle-free homes & living, it is essential to check floors properly.

Door Inspection

The home inspectors check if the door moves smoothly without any friction with the floor beneath. They also look for termites and other pests and any signs of damage resulting from them. Since India is a place where there is too much moisture, the home inspectors see if the wooden door is damaged by moisture and humidity. They look for any bulging or cracks. Along with that, they make sure that the hinges are rust-free.

What are the other issues that are usually found in the inspection? – Cracked door frame, the gap between frame and wall, presence of borers and termites, and overall firmness and stability of the structure.

Home Inspectors look for damaged wood or other material (like metal or UPVC) while inspecting windows.

Window Inspection

Home Inspectors look for damaged wood or other material (like metal or UPVC) while inspecting windows. They especially focus on the window sills, their height for safety concern and look for any damage there. A damaged window sill can cause rainwater to seep into the house. Similar issues can arise if the drip mould at the chajja is not provided.

The overall window installation is brought under the scanner because resolving the operational and functional issues becomes more important than anything else. The inspectors see if there is any gap between the wall and the window frames as that can lead to seepage and improper heat exchange between the interior and external environment.

The importance of windows gets enhanced if there is a window AC installed. The home inspectors will ensure that the AC is fixed properly with no loose fittings whatsoever.

Under plumbing inspection, special attention is given to the bathroom which happens to be the den of moisture.

Overall Plumbing

The Home Inspection team will check for the overall health of the plumbing system of the house. Beginning with the cursory examination – checking the faucet, drains, water pressure etc – the inspection team will look for plumbing issues in a much more in-depth manner.

i. Bathroom

Under plumbing inspection, special attention is given to the bathroom which happens to be the den of moisture.

The main problem that happens in the bathroom is the blockage of drains. The Home inspector looks for signs of blockage of the drains – the main drains, the drain on the sink etc. Along with that, the inspection team will inspect the floor of the bathroom to see if there is presence of water pocket, deterioration at tile grout etc. Since the walls of the bathroom are more susceptible to water damage, the inspection team will look for extra measures taken to avoid water damage. A good Home Inspection team will also look for potential causes of water wastage – like dripping faucets, leakage in the shower pipe etc.

Bathrooms can be a conducive place for the moulds to grow. The Home Inspection team will look for moulds and stains. Along with that, it will ensure that the exhaust fan is working properly to remove odours, steam as well as for proper ventilation. Hence bathroom inspection will reveal potential issues that can create further hassles if left unnoticed.

ii. Kitchen

Just like bathrooms, kitchens are also susceptible to water and moisture damage. Home Inspectors look for signs of moisture-related damage in the Kitchen. They make sure that the wiring in the Kitchen is done with safety in mind. The team will also examine if the kitchen is well ventilated. There can be plumbing issues present in the kitchen like a dripping faucet, water not draining properly at floor & counter etc.

To know about other things which are looked at by Home inspectors in Kitchen & bathroom, Click here.

Electrical safety inspection is crucial to the overall safety of the home. Issues like tripping or sudden blackout can indicate bigger hidden problems.

Wiring & Electrical System Inspection

Electrical safety is crucial to the overall safety of the home. Issues like tripping or sudden blackout can indicate bigger hidden problems. A home inspection team has dedicated people who check the electrical wiring & system in the house. They check if there is any loose, naked electrical wire in the house, if the outlets are working properly, if there is any chance of a potential short circuit and most importantly, does the house have proper earthing or not. All these aspects and more are covered by the inspection team. Even minor issues like dysfunctional/jammed switches are not ignored. Each and every switch board and point where a home appliance is plugged in is checked for possible a short circuit / damage.

Roof Inspection

An inspection of the roof is important. And this includes checking of the floor for any crack, faulty sloping, etc. If the roof of the house doesn’t allow the water to pass due to clogging of the rainwater outlet, it can seep in and damage the interior ceiling and walls of the house.

Along with that, home inspectors look for vegetation growth on the roof that can cause much damage with their roots. Having said this, rooftop gardening has become popular in many places. Home inspection services check whether it is properly laid or not.

Home Inspectors also check the parapet wall condition and the strength of the railings attached to the roof to ensure that the roof is safe.

The Home Inspection service looks for any damage to the exterior facade of the house.

Inspection of the Exterior Areas

The same extensive checking is done on the exterior part of the home too depending on the requirement of the customer. The Home Inspection service looks for any damage to the exterior facade of the house. Are the exterior walls painted with waterproof paint? Is there any leakage in the pipes that is making the exterior walls wet? Is the exterior of the house free from any moisture-causing issues like mounds of mud, bad drainage, cracks, etc? Are the staircases safe to use and railings are sturdy enough… and so on.

The home inspection team does not just check the house, it also checks the surrounding ground. It looks for areas that can get slippery during the monsoon. It also examines if there is proper drainage that lets the water flow out of the property of the owners. The Home Inspector also looks for potential damage that can be caused by tree roots. It examines if there is any tree that is too close to the exterior part of building.

So, you can see that Home Inspection is not just a superficial glance at the house to look for small faults and damages. It is a comprehensive examination of all the aspects of the home. A professional home/property inspection services will let you have a peaceful future ahead. No unexpected issue will crop up. Hence it will protect your most important investment of life i.e. Home from unwanted / unforeseen damages.

The Uttar Pradesh real estate regulatory authority (UP Rera) has ordered an FIR against a developer for allegedly obstructing a government team from checking for illegal construction at his site.

RERA orders FIR against Mathura developer

The Uttar Pradesh real estate regulatory authority (UP-Rera) has ordered an FIR against a developer for allegedly obstructing a government team from checking for illegal construction at his site in Vrindavan, Mathura.

The authority, with the mandate to safeguard rights of homebuyers, also decided to impose a heavy penalty against the developer for selling flats illegally.

“We had received a complaint that the developer had developed and started selling units in a realty project without obtaining a registration number from us. The developer also obstructed officials doing their job. Therefore, we have ordered filing of an FIR in Vrindavan,” said Rajive Kumar, chairperson, UP-Rera. “The penalty will be 10% of total project cost. We have started the process of imposing the penalty. Our team will calculate the total cost of the project to figuring out the penalty amount.”

The UP-Rera team had visited the site on Wednesday. They had video recorded the incidents that followed. The developer’s staff at the site could be purportedly seen obstructing them with one heard saying, “How can you enter my premises … I do not know what is Rera.” The video was later found published on social media.

This is time the Rera had faced such resistance, an authority officials said. The developer was unavailable for comment.

The confederation of real estate developers association of India said that no project should be sold out without approvals.

“We do not appreciate the act of interfering in officials’ work. To restore the homebuyers confidence the promoters should comply with all rules of regulations,” said Subodh Kumar secretary of CREDAI.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/rera-orders-fir-against-mathura-developer-101610734961940.html

There can be nothing more nightmarish than a disorganized kitchen. Read 9 Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Organized!

9 Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Organized!

Kitchen, they say, is the heart of the home. Now every time you cook something up and reach a notch closer to the heart of your family members through the way of their stomach, you do not want to step back into the kitchen and feel like a storm has blown across it, do you? Working in an organized way in the kitchen is possible only when you have an organized kitchen. Flour all over the counter, a spatula here, a cup there, a rolling pin left to be rolling on the counter, sprinkles of oil on the wall in front of the gas oven – all are a pain to the eyes. So, what can we do to keep the kitchen organised?

Why do you need an organized kitchen?

Before we move on to enlighten you about ways to keep your kitchen organized, let usjust have a look at why we need to do that in the first place? Here are the reasons:

  • You know where to find what, the moment you need something
  • Be it your visiting sis-in-law, or your favourite girl gang from your college or office, anyone will find it easy to locate things in the kitchen and they can help you out in preparation of food also (there’s nothing like cooking yummy dishes together and eating them too!)
  • Cleaning afterwards is so easy when you have everything at place
  • With an organised kitchen, you know what you have, how many you have and what you need to add. Thus, you do not end up buying the same thing twice
  • With everything stacked up in a neat and clean manner, preparation time for a meal is reduced
  • Lastly, the kids in your house learn how important it is to keep everything organized and they try to follow your footsteps too

9 tips for an organised kitchen

First tip is to Keep your fridge organised.

1. Keep your fridge organised

Let us start with the storage units first and you cannot think of anything but a fridge when it comes to vegetables or other farm produce. Storing leftover food also calls for a fridge. Buy fridge bins apart from the vegetable basket that already comes with your fridge when you buy it. These baskets are not segmented and hence you have to search through all the vegetables when you might just need one tomato or only a few beans. It is easy for items to get lost in a corner and when you discover it a week later, it has already gone bad. Transparent fridge bins can be a saviour in such cases. From packets of sliced salamis to fresh veggies- you can see them and reach for them easily.

Racks with wheels are the ultimate organizers and space saviours with their narrow shape in kitchen.

2. Go for racks with wheels

However big a mansion you live in, the average Indian kitchen size lingers around 9’x7’. With a few exceptions, a roomy kitchen is not a thing that you come across regularly. Now add the countertops, wall hanging racks, gas oven and other things in the kitchen – you have less amount of space to move around. Easy to misplace things and burst out in frustration whenever you are midway of cooking up a storm, right? Racks with wheels are the ultimate organizers and space saviours with their narrow shape.

No matter how many times you put all the same sized spoons and forks together neatly, they get all mixed up. Install cutlery tray for this problem.

3. Install cutlery trays

You got your hands laid upon almost everything when all you just wanted was the star nozzle for dressing up the cake you just baked – sounds familiar? Cutlery and small pieces like nozzles etc are so easy to lose as you pull open or push the kitchen drawer shut. No matter how many times you put all the same sized spoons and forks together neatly, they get all mixed up. So, what’s the solution? Installing expandable cutlery trays1. You can expand them according to the size of your drawer and not even an inch of the inside is wasted. Now you are all ok to have your sundry items, forks and spoons organised.

Step-style shelves designed especially for cabinets can be your saviour in keeping organized kitchen.

4. Set up step-style shelf organiser

There is no doubt having cabinets in the kitchen, overhead or on the wall, saves a lot of space and helps in keeping stackable items, jars of spices etc in a neat way. But an Indian kitchen is never short of spices, special spice mixes, nani ke haat ka achaar, secret mixes only you know how and where to put in and so on and so forth. All these make it difficult to locate the right item when needed. Step-style shelves designed especially for cabinets can be your saviour. It not only gives you a whole new organizing experience but the step system gives you better visibility and accessibility also.

Pans and their lid eat up a lot of space in the kitchen and make it look messy. Pan and Lid organizer can be useful.

5. Pan and Lid organizer to your rescue

The biggest problem with pans is they are no more stackable if you put the lid with it. Now if you don’t put the lid there, where would you? Also, being made of glass they need to be handled with care. Pans and their lid eat up a lot of space in the kitchen and make it look messy. Again, they are not something that you can do without, right? Pan and lid organisers add to that organised look of your kitchen. With adjustable heights of the pan organiser and the ability of the lid organiser to be mounted on the wall just add more ticks against them and make them included in your shopping list.

Putting up an adjustable shelf under the sink area can work wonders, in case of less space in kitchen.

6. Give a glance under the sink

Yes, you read that right, under the sink. Awkward? Yes. But utility? Amazing. Putting up an adjustable shelf can work wonders for you if you are at a loss about how to keep your kitchen organised. There is enough space to keep things which you do not need regularly but most often we let it go to waste. Instead of stashing away unnecessary stuff, build a shelf around the pipes and put the space to use. Trust us on this and get ready to be amazed.

Modular kitchens are a homemaker’s dream place and one of the step for organised kitchen.

7. How about a modular kitchen

Uber chic and utilitarian – modular kitchens are a homemaker’s dream place and for all the right reasons. Mostly customizable, the kitchen designs let you organise all your utensils, containers and appliances in the most impeccable way. You just need to choose the material carefully and check your walls and floor for damp related problems before installing the whole setup. This is because if there is any seepage or damp in any wall or floor and that goes undetected, it will spread on to the modular kitchen cabinets and spoil them in a few years.

Some basic kitchen organization tips which can come to your rescue in all situations.

8. Other tips

There are some basic tips which can come to your rescue in all situations. These are:

  • Bought something new? Unpack it right away and start using them. Keeping them stashed away for afterwards will actually add to the clutter in the kitchen. Also, buy only when you need a particular thing.
  • While buying utensils like bowls or containers make sure you choose the stackable ones. Thus, when not in use you can put one into another and store them.
  • Once a while, declutter the kitchen. Every time you do so, you will definitely come up with a lot of items that will leave you wondering, “Why is it even here!” or “I definitely don’t need this here.”
  • Cleaning missions will help you get rid of excess items in no time.
  • Don’t hoard empty poly packs and plastic pouches/bags thinking that you may use them later. They only add to the clutter while welcoming cockroaches and ants, too, sometimes.
  • Reuse containers after a thorough cleaning. For example, you bought tea leaves in a plastic container; after it gets exhausted, don’t discard the container. Either wash and dry and use it for storing some other items or refill with tea leaves again – this time bought in paper packaging.
Keeping your kitchen clean is the first call you can make while you proceed towards making it organised.

9. Last but not the least, Cleanliness

Keeping your kitchen clean is the first call you can make while you proceed towards making it organised. Look out for damp patches particularly under the sink, behind the cupboard or the fridge. Do not let fungus settle in. A weekly clean up is a must. As foods are cooked here, you can never compromise with the hygiene and cleanliness.

You might be a working woman who spends the longest duration in the kitchen only while making soup or instant noodles. Or you might be a homemaker who spends a considerable amount of time there. You might be a food blogger whose passion is cooking and trying new recipes. Whatever might be the case, having an organised kitchen is more welcoming. Add the health factor to it, and it becomes essential. Hope the tips help!

Reference links used:
1. https://www.amazon.in/House-Quirk-Drawer-Expandable-Cutlery/dp/B01LSHYP5O/

MahaRERA in a recent order directed a builder to pay the owner of a flat in its gateway project Rs 60 lakh for delay.

MahaRERA asks builder to pay buyer Rs 60 lakh for delay

MahaRERA in a recent order directed Conoor Builders to pay the owner of a flat in its Gateway project at Andheri west interest at marginal cost lending rate of SBI plus 2% for a nearly three-year delay in possession. The flat buyer’s lawyers pegged the amount at around Rs 60 lakh.

MahaRERA member, Vijay Satbir Singh, in his order has also stated the builder cannot shift its statutory liability to the land owner as there is no privity of contract between the complainant and the land owner since it is not party to the registered sale agreement executed between the complainant and the respondent.

Sushant Karkera booked a flat valued at approximately Rs 2 crore in 2014. The builder was liable to hand over possession on or before December 31, 2016. However, the complainant, through his representative chartered accountant Ashwin Shah and advocate Sandeep Manubarwala, stated the builder, without giving any intimation, extended the project completion date to December 2019, which was further extended till December 2020 while registering the project with MahaRERA.

Respondent Conoor Builders, represented by advocates Anil D’Souza and Saroj Agarwal, pointed out the project got delayed due to genuine and unavoidable difficulties attributable to land owner, AH Construction. The respondent also stated the complainant was aware that AH Construction was owner as well as promoter-owner of the property as the sale agreement clearly mentioned AH Construction has all obligations to procure requisite permissions for the said building.

However, the complainant contended he had no privity of contract with AH Construction and that he had paid money for the flat to the respondent. The complainant also relied upon earlier SC judgments in case of Vaidehi Akash Housing Pvt Ltd and Goregaon Pearl CHS and stated the owner is not liable to pay interest for delay in possession.

MahaRERA member Singh’s order also stated the complainant was no way concerned with the dispute between the land owner and the respondent.

The order stated if the project was getting delayed, then the respondent should have informed the complainant and should have revised the date of possession in the agreement by executing a rectification deed or should have offered a refund.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharera-asks-bldr-to-pay-buyer-rs-60-lakh-for-delay/articleshow/80179440.cms

All set to buy a new house? Read checklist of common problems for homebuyer to look out for before investing in home/property.

20 Common Problems Home Buyers Should Look Out For

Whenever you decide to buy your dream house, you need to keep a lot of things in mind. It is a lump sum investment. Some of you out there would be using all your life’s savings in buying your house. Any kind of casual behaviour is not acceptable in the process of choosing your house. Lots of considerations are to be made and points- checked while finalizing the home like the locality, the builder/owner, affordability, legal matters, age of the property, quality of construction, etc. Besides, you must also keep your eyes open for a number of home-related problems like the condition of the walls, roofs, ceilings, floor, doors and windows, fittings, electrical, plumbing and so on; once you start living in the house these will bother you the most.

Here are a 20 problems that you should be careful about while buying a house.

Examine the property closely - the overall condition, from outside to inside and ground floor to the roof.

1. Construction Issues

Examine the property closely – the overall condition – from outside to inside, from ground floor to the roof. Does the integrity look compromised? Though it is a professional’s job to analyse even you can form an idea by just looking at it. What is the condition of the walls? Are there any cracks in them? Check the roof – do you see any cracks in it? Are the railings standing strong? Are there enough outlets on the roof? Do you see any broken pipes from outside? Make a checklist and go ticking as you examine the property diligently.

The house should have proper airflow and ventilation in every single room including the kitchen, bathroom and the storeroom.

2. Ventilation Problems

The house should have proper airflow and ventilation in every single room including the kitchen, bathroom and the storeroom. The house remains fresh and there is less growth of moisture inside the house; hence, lesser microbial growth and a healthier and happier family.

Make sure that adequate sunlight enters the house, as it is important for keeping your house fresh.

3. Sunlight

Make sure that adequate sunlight enters the house. Sunlight is extremely important for keeping the atmosphere of the house fresh. It kills bacteria and other microbes naturally and prevents stale smell in your house. It also keeps the house warm during the winter and is good for the growth of plants in your garden.

4. Water Resources

Make sure the house has proper water resources. Water is indispensable to any household. Earlier hand-dug Wells were the primary water source but now proper drilled wells and government water supply lines serve as primary water resources. These should be available at the house you purchase or else there will be difficulty in getting clean water at your residence.

When you go to check out a home make sure you look for its plumbing system. Check that all the plumbing lines are in good condition.

5. Plumbing Problems

While you go to check out a home make sure you look for its plumbing system. They are hidden sites inside the house but are an important and integral part of a comfortable home. Old households with old pipe systems can cause problems. There might be a leakage in the plumbing lines or it might have rust on it. Check that all the plumbing lines are in good condition and there is proper flow of water. And if it is a new home, you can check out some plumbing mistakes.

There should be sufficient drainage on the property you purchase otherwise that can cause stagnation of water leading to serious issues.

6. Drainage Problems

The drainage system of the house should be in proper condition. In case of damage to the drainage system, mould infestation and water clogging can take place. There should be sufficient drainage on the property you purchase or else that can cause stagnation of water leading to serious issues like breeding pests, vegetation growth and stale smell in and around the house. Drainage repair costs should be estimated along with the price of the house.

A poorly maintained or damaged roof/ terrace can lead to future problems including water seepage.

7. Roof / Terrace Problems

They is most important aspects and components of a house. A poorly maintained or damaged roof/ terrace can lead to future problems including water seepage. Roof repairs are expensive and should be estimated along with the price of purchasing the house. Make sure that the roof has proper drainage of rainwater and has no seepage problems. Water does not leak through it or in future you can have serious problems like damping issues, crumbling paint, vegetation growth, pest issues, etc. inside the household.

Check the floor slope to avoid stagnancy of water.

8. Flooring and Slope

Old houses mostly have cement or marble flooring. If you consider keeping it, check the floor and wall joints, the overall grouting condition and if any cracks are visible on the floor or not. New properties with tiled flooring too may have these problems. So, check that and consider getting them replaced or repaired soon. Sloping is something that often escapes our eyes and senses. Be careful or else, standing water may bother you in the future. Read Understand the problems due to incorrect slope in wet areas of your home.

Make sure that the wooden doors, windows and other wooden installations are in proper condition.

9. Wood Condition

Make sure that the wooden doors, windows and other wooden installations are in proper condition. In old houses, the wood is exposed to moisture for a long time. There may be rotting of wood which needs to be looked into. Wooden furniture and installations should be protected with proper paint and finish.

Gaps around the frame, loose hinges and latches, doors making a creaking sound, cracked glass in the window panes, rust in the iron grills are common issues in door and windows.

10. Door and Window Issues

There can be numerous of them – trust us! Gaps around the frame, loose hinges and latches, doors making a creaking sound, cracked glass in the window panes, rust in the iron grills – all these can make your stay in the house really troublesome with secondary problems like water seepage, damp etc arising in no time.

11. Fittings and Installations

No matter how small these components may appear, fittings and installations play a crucial role in holding all parts of your home intact. Also, they add a lot to the aesthetics. Check if all of them are in proper condition- non-rusted, strong and working- right from bathroom fittings to the doors and windows. Replacing the worn-out taps, faucets and shower heads with new ones and iron/wooden window frames with UPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) materials1 will always go a long way in making your new home stronger and safer.

12. Electrical Safety

The house should have proper electrical connections and wiring. Watch out for any fault in the electrical circuit and faulty wiring in the electrical panels. Make sure that there are no faults or else it can cause tripping or fire. These are potentially hazardous. In case of faults in the electrical system, estimate the price of the repairs along with the price of the house.

13. Environmental Issues

Older homes may have lead-based paints, toxic moulds, asbestos in them. Any of these are harmful to your health.

Older homes may have lead-based paints, toxic moulds, asbestos in them. Any of these are harmful to your health. Since there were no restrictions in the past old buildings still continue to have these toxic materials in them but these should be avoided while buying a home. Asbestos and lead paints are extremely harmful and can cause serious health issues like respiratory damage.

Make sure the house has not been affected by termites and other pests.

14. Pest Problems

Make sure the house has not been affected by termites. Termite infestation is a very common problem in our country which can pose a major threat to the furniture in the house. To avoid this problem, make sure that you check with the current seller that the house is free of termite and other pests and also if pest control is needed and what should be the frequency of it. Check the corners of the house, the garden area and the doors for termite with visual signs.

Buyers should look for a proper parking area and space inside the house.

15. Availability of Parking Space

Buyers should look for a proper parking area and space inside the house. Parking areas are extremely important and indispensable. It ensures that your vehicles are kept safely. Most of the time, buyers are extremely engrossed with the house interiors that they forget to take a look at the parking area. This should not be done or else later there will be issues with parking your car.

Now, the above points are all specific problems that are very common and we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. While you should be vigilant about these, you can’t afford to ignore other important matters like:

16. Area

Do a little research on the area – low-lying or not because you may face water-logging problem in that case during the monsoon. Areas with too much hardness in groundwater tend to have houses with ugly, yellowish stains on fittings and surfaces. Know these facts and make your decision.

17. The Neighbourhood

Make sure the house is in a neighbourhood which is safe to live in and there are no criminal activities going on in and around. Most importantly, people are warm and welcoming and understand each other’s requirements and necessities. Buy a house from where there are no communication problems. Main roads, transportation and market are available. The locality should preferably have departmental or grocery stores and easy access to the market, hospital and educational institutes.

Pre-handover home inspection is always a preffered factor for buying.

18. Builder/developer or owner

If the property you are buying is a house or a resale flat then try to deal directly with the owner. If it is a new flat then check your builder’s track record and make sure he has got RERA approval for the project. You should also insist on a pre-handover home inspection as that will further put all your concerns to rest.

Ask for the documents which show clearly that the current owner has the legal rights of the land and the house.

19. Legal Issues

Make sure that the house abides by every legal right. Ask for the documents which show clearly that the current owner has the legal rights of the land and the house. Ensure that the property is not mortgaged to any bank / lender. Try to find out about the locality and the current owner of the house from the neighbours.

20. The Recent Value of the House

Do not underestimate the future possibility of reselling this house you buy. Something might happen which may lead you to buy another house or shift to a new place. In such a situation you might need to sell your current house. The value of a property keeps on increasing with time if it is in a good locality. You should sell the house at a profitable rate, so take that into consideration while purchasing.

While buying a house make sure that you invest in a property with no or least problems. It is a crucial investment in your life and along with being affordable, it should fulfil all your requirements. Do not overlook any small problem. To avoid future complications, make a checklist and make sure you do not miss out even the minutest of issues. It is advisable to take the help of a professional service like home inspection which will cover the visual examination of all accessible areas of a home/property using modern technology and specialized tools, is designed to describe the condition of the basic elements, identifies and reports issues with the suggested solution. Otherwise, there will always remain a chance of overlooking a couple of problems which will become bigger later and add to your overall cost.

Reference links used:
1. https://www.fenesta.com/interior-design/7-advantages-of-installing-upvc-doors-and-windows/

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets as he lays the foundation stone of Light House Projects across six states through video conferencing, in New Delhi.

Govt committed to delivering on promise of housing for all: PM Modi

The Union government’s policies over the last six years have restored the faith of consumers that they can own homes of their own and rely on laws to support them if builders fail to deliver on time, Prime Minister Narenda Modi on Friday said while laying the foundation stone of the Light House Project under the Global Housing Technology Challenge-India scheme across six states.

The project aims to construct of low-cost houses using alternative global technologies, materials and processes in six cities — Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Rajkot (Gujarat), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Agartala (Tripura) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). About 1,000 houses at each location, along with allied infrastructure facilities, are meant to be constructed in a year’s time.

Six chief ministers were present for the meeting, Shivraj Singh Chauhan from MP, Yogi Adityanath from UP, Biplab Deb from Tripura, E Palanisami from Tamil Nadu, Jagan Reddy from Andhra Pradesh and Hemant Soren from Jharkhand.

Referring to the project, which he described as an incubation centre, the PM said the government was committed to delivering on its promise of “housing for all” by 2022, and was unwavering in its vows to provide affordable housing for the rural and urban poor, and affordable rented accommodation for migrant workers.

The latest project, Modi said, will also strengthen cooperative federalism.

“People were losing hope of owning a house even after putting in everything that they had saved. Houses remained on paper… People had also lost faith whether the law of the land will help them if they got into a dispute with the builder,” he said.

To address these concerns, steps taken by the government over the past six years have made it easy for a hardworking, middle class family to own a house and restored their faith, Modi said.

His reference was to RERA, or the Real Estate Regulation Act, introduced in 2016 to protect the interest of homebuyers from malpractices and builders defaulting on deliveries.

“RERA has helped the people believe in reality projects again and that the projects will be completed. Today, 60,000 real-estate projects are registered under RERA. Thousands of cases have also been solved under the law,” Modi said.

Even as the PM appreciated the efforts made by the states in providing housing for the poor; he criticised previous governments for not prioritising the sector. “Housing plans were not the priority of the central government in the past. They did not care about the details of quality of construction. There was a chalta hai, chalne do (let it be) approach… why shouldn’t the country get new technology, and the houses we build should be chust (swift) and durust (sturdy),” he said.

The Prime Minister also announced the winners of the Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators — Uttar Pradesh topped the list followed by Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tripura.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/farm-law-protests-its-towers-vandalised-in-punjab-reliance-says-will-move-high-court-today/story-sPdZtvf3326NqGk596sj2O.html

Water leakage can cause serious damage including health problems in a house. Know common causes of water leakages in homes.

Most Common Causes of Water Leakages in Homes

Water leakage is a serious issue inside a house which should be dealt with in urgency. There are quite a number of factors and reasons contributing to water leakage – it may be leaking plumbing lines or corrosion in plumbing lines, cracks in the walls, damaged waterproofing in the roof, or a leaking AC. Water leakage inside the house leads to serious issues like stale-smelling indoors, growth of microbes, pests inside the house, damaged property and a lot more. So, while you need a thorough health check-up of the house, here’s a heads up about the possible causes and their effects.

Leakage can waste water, damage your home, and encourage unwanted organic growth. Watch out for these common signals of water leakage.

Water Leakage: Signs and Signals

Leakage can waste water, damage your home, and encourage unwanted organic growth. As you cannot see most of the pipework in your home, you may not always know that a leak has formed.

One of the best ways to protect your home from future leaks is to understand and look for common situations that cause leaks. Watch out for these common signals of water leakage:

  • Dark patches on the walls and ceiling
  • A stale and musty odour
  • Peeling off of paint and plaster crumble
  • Visual leaks
  • The occurrence of pests, especially termites
  • Watermarks and discolouration

A dampened environment in your house can lead to serious problems which are also signals of water leakage / seepage in your house. Skin rashes and allergy, asthma, nasal and throat congestion, coughing and wheezing can be caused by dampness due to water leakage or the bacteria which grows inside the household as a result of dampening.

One of the best ways to protect your home from future leaks is to understand and know common causes of Water Leakage Inside the House.

Common Causes of Water Leakage inside the House

  • Leakage from underneath the water sink can be a serious problem. This can happen due to loose or improper connection at the bottle trap or waste coupler tread joint.
  • Dripping faucets can be a serious and common problem of water leakage. Over tightening of a tap can cause it to leak. When a tap is hardened too much, it starts to develop a leak due to the wearing and tearing of the tap washer. A loose operating head or lever can lead to a similar problem. Sometimes debris get stuck inside the tap which may cause it to leak. Another common case is when people do not turn them off well enough.
  • Leaking pipes are a major contributor to water leakage in households. They are often embedded inside walls and are difficult to detect. You only get to know when the wall surfaces start to deteriorate. It is a clear sign of dampness which is difficult to get rid of.
  • If there are any leakage or moisture-related issues in the wall for some reason, vegetation will grow on the walls. This vegetation develops further cracks in the wall causing further deterioration.
  • In case of negligence, if cavities and holes are left in the wall, they behave as a source of attracting and storing moisture. They cause water seepage and an unhealthy condition in the household.
  • If your plumbing system is extremely old, rust and other forms of corrosion may wear it away. There will be discolouration on your pipes. This will cause water leakage inside the household. Rust can have other damaging effects too. Accumulation of rust may block the flow of water in the pipes resulting in the raising of water pressure and leakage. Severe rusting may also weaken the pipes and erode through the pipes causing leaks. To understand where leakage can happen, you need to understand the plumbing system of your home.
  • Damaged pipe joints are another common reason for water leakage in a building. Do you know why? – Because, the place where pipes connect often represents the weakest point in a line. It is always under significant pressure. Similarly, we have to avoid usage of extension piece for FTA(Female thread adapter – which is used to connect plumbing line to tap) during improper installation of plumbing fitting. Over time, these pipe joints deteriorate causing leakage.
  • Extreme temperature changes inside the pipelines can cause it to expand and contract alternately, which may cause cracks to develop inside the pipeline. This will cause leakage inside the pipelines. However, this is common mostly in hilly areas like Shimla, Dalhousie, Gangtok, etc.
  • Refrigerators1 or water purifiers2 can also cause water leakage inside your household. If these go unnoticed for a long period of time, they can cause serious damage to your floor. It is also extremely unsafe to use the appliances while they are leaking as they may result in an electric shock.
  • Leaky roofs, mainly caused due to deteriorated waterproofing, can contribute to water seepage inside the house. The improper slope can cause rainwater to accumulate on the rooftop / terrace which may then seep into the house.You must also make sure that there are no open electrical conduits on the rooftop or else, leaking water may enter the wiring system and cause serious problems downward (in case of the connection running downward).
  • All types of pipes and faucets are manufactured to withstand up to a certain level of water pressure. Any extra pressure or uneven surge can put a strain on them causing them to give away after a certain point in time. The result is leakage.
Water leakage is a significant problem which needs to be addressed at the earliest. Know the effects of water leakage in house.

Effects of Water Leakage in House

  • Unhygienic conditions: Water and moisture inside a house are accompanied by bacterial and fungal growth. This might lead to diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis, skin rashes, depression and so on.
  • Disintegration: Porous walls hold moisture for a longer time which may lead to deterioration of the walls & further damage. The bricks may develop cracks and fissures due to alternate cooling and expansion of water present in them.
  • Decaying windows and doors: Moisture may lead to the decay of windows and doors. They swell and tend to touch the floor causing obstruction during opening & closing and other related damages. The decay of wood frames, ironwork, bricks, etc may also be caused by moisture.
  • Plaster crumbles: On absorbing moisture, plaster turns soft and crumbles giving an ugly appearance to the walls.
  • Damaged wooden furniture: Wooden furniture gets damaged on continuous exposure to a damp environment.
  • Wall decorations are damaged: Wall decorations such as cladding, wallpapering, timber handicrafts are damaged as they absorb moisture from the damp walls. This ruins the aesthetics & weakens the structural integrity of your house completely which cannot be redone without solving the leakage problems from the core.
  • Termite infestation: Dampness attracts gregarious pests in a home – be it cockroaches, ants or termites. In fact, termites prefer living in areas with high moisture content. They infest damp walls making them porous and damage wooden furniture and structures.
  • Damage of electrical equipment: Electrical equipment may get damaged and short circuits may happen. It is extremely dangerous to use electrical installations in such situations. So, you must try to avoid dampness caused due to leakage / seepage, in the first place, especially where there are electrical outlets like appliances and switches and also see to it that water does not come in contact with the electrical wiring of the house.

Trust us, water leakage (and seepage) which is the main culprit behind dampness can be a real threat to your home. Fix it before it costs you your peace of mind.

Moisture assessment can be done in a better way with help of advanced thermal imaging technology.

Moisture assessment using thermal imaging technology

Thanks to the advancement of technology, infrared cameras or thermal imagers are making moisture assessment in buildings easier than ever. These cameras can swiftly and, most importantly, non-invasively focus on the probable areas of anomalies caused by excessive evaporative moisture cooling. The images formed on the lens of these devices actually show patterns of moisture-spread that only trained eyes can decipher. Hence, only professionals associated with building investigation should be relied upon for such a technology-centric yet accurate investigation procedure. Here’s more on thermal imaging3 and why it is becoming essential for moisture detection.

Watch this to get a clearer idea of how leakage/seepage is detected in a home:

Your home is the place where you spend the maximum of your time. After a hectic day at work, we get back to our home and relax. We would definitely not like to stay in a stale smelling, unhygienic and dampened house where water is leaking. Our home is our abode which should brighten up our mood. A dampened environment would make us gloomy. Water leakage / seepage inside the house should be tracked down and be treated at the earliest possible time as it is not only unhygienic but also unsafe. It is always advisable to take the help of professionals – the home inspectors for this or else you may overlook some issues or end up doing a wrong assessment of the problem. By employing thermal imaging technology, any hidden leakage can be detected to the source before they become large problem and lead to serious damage which can make your home unhealthy.

Reference links used:
1. https://www.samsung.com/in/support/home-appliances/water-leakage-in-refrigerator/
2. https://www.eurekaforbes.com/blog/how-to-maintain-a-water-purifier-efficiently.html
3. https://www.fluke.com/en-in/learn/blog/thermal-imaging/why-thermal-imaging-is-essential-for-detecting-moisture-damage

Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA), the authority has warned that the hefty penalty could turn even heavier if real estate developers failed to meet the deadline.

Hefty fine awaits realtors skipping Kerala RERA deadline

Real estate developers may have to pay heftier penalties if they fail to keep the December 31 deadline for compulsory registration of ongoing real estate projects in the State.

With many developers yet to register their projects with the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA), the authority has warned that the hefty penalty could turn even heavier if they failed to meet the deadline. After December 31, the penalty will be determined by K-RERA on a case-to-case basis following a hearing, the State regulator said.

“The promoters may take notice that the penalty for non-registration of projects may be extended up to 10% of the estimated cost of the project, as laid down under Section 59 of the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016,” K-RERA said in a final notice in this regard issued on December 17.

Already, non-registration of projects carries a penalty of 40% of the application fee which was fixed on October 31 this year following the sluggish response to a K-RERA plea to get the projects registered. This condition is valid only till December 31, when K-RERA will complete one full year.

In its final notice, K-RERA also noted that Section 59 (2) stipulates that “if any promoter does not comply with the orders, decisions or directions issued by this authority in this regard or continues to violate the provisions of Section 3 of the Act, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to three years or with fine which may extend up to a further l0% of the estimated cost of the real estate project, or with both.”

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, requires builders to register projects with the State-level RERA. Registration is also compulsory for real estate agents. K-RERA has so far received around 500 applications from builders. In all, 318 registered real estate projects have been uploaded on the K-RERA website. In all, 107 real estate agents also have registered with K-RERA so far.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/hefty-fine-awaits-realtors-skipping-k-rera-deadline/article33386936.ece