Builders must provide financial plans of projects to Tamil Nadu RERA

CHENNAI

Builders of large housing projects in the state will soon have to convince the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) that they have the money to complete them and not leave home-buyers in the lurch midway.

“The basic idea is they should have a financial plan for completing the housing project,” TNRERA chairman K Gnanadesikan told TOI. The real estate regulator has already asked a couple of developers in the city to furnish these details before registering the projects. Developers of projects with 100 units and more must compulsorily present their financial contingency plan to TNRERA.

The TNRERA move comes against the background of several housing projects across the country being abandoned midway due to lack of funds with developers, leaving homebuyers in the lurch. According to the Tamil Nadu Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017, all ongoing housing projects above eight units or more than 5000 square feet should be registered with the TNRERA. The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, states that 70 per cent of the amount realised from buyers must be deposited in a separate escrow account, which would be released by the banks after completion of each stage of the construction.

TNRERA sources said that some projects come to a standstill at different stages largely due to insufficient funds. This leaves customers in trouble. The financial contingency plans will help to protect buyers’ interests as they will have roadmaps to raise funds through tie-ups with financial institutions.

According to data with ANAROCK property consultants, 8,650 apartment units worth Rs. 5,620 crore launched before 2013 are yet to be handed over to buyers in Chennai.

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) has welcomed the move. Its Chennai chapter president W S Habib said, “After the implementation of the real estate Act, fly-by-night developers have almost disappeared. The new development will be an extra cover for protecting homebuyers investments,” he added.

Source:https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/builders-must-provide-financial-plans-of-projects-to-tamil-nadu-rera/70081576

Beware! while choosing switch for AC

Detect Issues

Switch is used for air conditioner.

Describe Issues

In case of overloading in AC, starter will trip and hence will break the circuit whereas providing switch will lead to burning of AC motor. If not rectified at the right it can lead to electrical safety hazard in future, and also add an extra cost of repair or replacement.

Direct Solutions

We recommend to replace the Switch with adjustable amp AC Starter.

7 Common Household Hazards to Watch Out For

A home can turn out to be a surprisingly dangerous place if some obvious signs of caveats go unnoticed for days. The damage could be immediate and one-time or slow having far-reaching effects. To know how healthy is your home, you must be vigilant enough and run visual checks from time to time or opt for a home inspection for an expert assessment. A home inspection is capable of identifying every household hazard that can compromise your family’s safety and saves you from possible disasters.

Here are 7 common household hazards that you must watch out to avoid future damages:

1. Excess Moisture < Condensation < Damp

Damp is the silent monster that damages the structural integrity of a building. It creates unsightly patches on ceilings and walls, causes floor tiles and wall tiles to bulge at places and timber fittings to loosen over time. But damaged aesthetics is not the only side-effect of damp. It has a significant adverse effect on Human Health. It has a multiplier effect, the root cause of which lies in excess moisture generation inside the house. How is this excess moisture generated? – There are multiple ways and these are the real hazards for which you must stay alert:

  • High atmospheric humidity and poorly insulated walls
  • Plumbing failures leading to leakage/ seepage
  • Poorly fitted window frames and panes which can let in rainwater
  • Ponding or water stagnation on roofs or bathrooms due to wrong sloping of the floor, clogged drains, etc.
  • Construction defects leading to water penetration

Excess moisture leads to excessive condensation, which in turn results in a damp attack.

What can be done to prevent damp hazard?

  1. Damp proofing is the ultimate long-term prevention against moisture decay. Generally, at the time of construction, a preventive damp-proof course is installed at the base of the walls to prevent rising damp from damaging the wall fabric. If you still notice any signs of damage on the walls (especially, in the ground floor) you must consider a corrective damp-proofing but not before a proper damp assessment.
  2. Repairing plumbing leaks on an urgent basis.
  3. Waterproofing the ceiling.
  4. Ultimately, the objective should be to find the source of the problem for long term solution.

However, as we said, ruined aesthetics is just one of the numerous damages that are caused by damp. Dampness also leads to uncontrolled growth of disease-causing microorganisms and may cause accidents from short circuits in the concealed electrical wiring system of a house.

2. Algal and fungal attack

Generally misunderstood as condensation, the dark spots in your roofs are much more serious problem- algae. These are micro-organisms that grow in colonies in a damp environment. In a humid climate, especially in neighbourhoods with plenty of shade and trees, blue-green algae are seen growing on rooftops. Inside the house, fungal growth can be noticed on old, decaying furniture. Black spots of moulds though rare in Indian homes are also an obvious effect of damp. Moulds pose as a serious health threat for house inmates as they cause allergy, asthma, and skin diseases.

How to prevent fungal growth?

Proper cleaning and drying, preceded by water removal, is the only solution to prevent algae and fungal growth. But this activity should not be taken as a one-off task. You must repeat after every heavy shower or at least, after the monsoon so that the damp effect is reduced to the lowest. Using dehumidifier at home also helps to keep indoor moisture under check.

3. Fire hazard

Fire is the biggest killer among all home accidents and there could be multiple causes of fire. The most common causes are – gas cylinder leakage, a problem in the air conditioning unit, short circuit, water in the concealed electrical wiring system of the house.

How to minimize the risk?

  • Have your electrical system checked by a home inspection team
  • Ask your LPG delivery person to check the cylinder for any leakage
  • Turn off the knob of the cylinder when you’re not cooking
  • Switch to UPVC sheets from asbestos for driveways and roofing. Asbestos is both toxic as well as flammable
  • Consider installing a smoke detector in your house

Follow other standard safety rules to prevent a fire1 in your home.

4. Lead-based paint

Doctors refer to lead poisoning as ‘silent epidemic’. The human body cannot digest and excrete lead. So, long-term exposure to lead and its deposition in the body can cause serious damage to health, especially in infants and pregnant women. Paint is one of the many household products that contain this toxic element as pigments. Lead makes paint durable, moisture resistant, and helps in quick drying. But at the same time, it exposes inmates to serious health threats such as anaemia, learning and cognitive disability in children, and birth defects, etc.

Choose lead-free paint for a healthy & happy home

In India, nowadays, many major paint brands like Asian Paints, Berger Paints, and Kansai Nerolac are making lead-free paint2. If your house is old, consider repainting it, using products manufactured by these companies. You may also consider using their damp-proofing paint solutions3 if there is a damp problem. But before going in for any investment, get the hazard assessment done through a home inspection.

5. Carbon Monoxide

The by-product of combustion, carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, having no smell or taste. Common household items like gas fires, oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, charcoal grills increase the risk of exposure to this poisonous gas. Frequent CO exposure can cause long-term problems including congestive heart and failed renal system, etc. CO binds to haemoglobin over 200 times more easily than oxygen. So, oxygen doesn’t find space to get into the haemoglobin. As a result, cells become oxygen-starved leading to death- a condition called CO poisoning.

CO leaks can be prevented by keeping appliances in good working condition. Besides, you must also keep your room well ventilated, use kitchen chimney, and stop using charcoal in an indoor barbecue.

6. Mud cracks, alligatoring, and other paint hazards

Limited tolerance of paint or asphalt to thermal expansion and contraction produces alligatoring4, a pattern of cracks resembling alligator skin. When left unattended, these cracks widen up to let in water from outside. Natural ageing of oil-based paints due to temperature fluctuation and other application errors may lead to alligatoring.

What can be done?

Alligatoring on painted walls can be repaired by removing the old paint and repainting them all over again. It is easy to find a remedy for such a hazard but you must get to the root cause behind it. And for that, a home inspection is the best solution.

7. Decay

The disintegration of wood can be a real household hazard as it leads to fungal growth. You can easily identify a decaying wooden product5 in your home but what you may not gather is the cause behind it. The decay may set in due to many reasons. One reason could be the quality of the wood and the polish on it. The other reason has to be high moisture content of the house. To ascertain which one is the real cause, you must get seek an expert’s opinion. Home inspectors use moisture meters and other advanced technology devices to assess the moisture level of your home. They also throw light on small but important things like the ideal gap between walls and the furniture and extent of the decay, etc.

Maintaining a safe and secure environment in your home where you and your family can live without fearing any hazard is a basic priority. Sometimes you can ensure that and sometimes you cannot. Also, a DIY project is not always a feasible option. So, you must consult a professional if it demands so. Hire a home inspector and get your home checked for all sorts of hazard for we all know: A stitch in time saves nine.

Reference links used:

  1. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html
  2. https://www.asianpaints.com/content/ap/hi/home/green-assure.html
  3. https://www.bergerpaints.com/imaginecolours/decor-culture/damp-proofing-freedom-damp-walls
  4. https://www.dulux.com.au/how-to/general/paint-problem-solver/exterior-paint-problem-solver/alligatoring
  5. https://www.permachink.com/blog/all-about-wood-decay-and-how-to-prevent-it

Basement’s Damp/ Leakage/ Seepage Mystery Solved by MACJ – ABCHI!

Classic Case of Mystery Water Leakage/ Seepage at Basement from False Ceiling of a Leading Brand’s upcoming Showroom. The Showroom was facing Severe Leakage/ Seepage Problem. Vendors were unable to detect the Source of the Leakage/ Seepage, witness how Team MACJ reached to the root cause of the leakage and solve the Mystery.

The Team uses Specialised Tools, Equipments & Gadgets like Moisture Meter, Thermal Imaging Cameras and Infrared Technology to detect the Source of the Moisture. And provides a Comprehensive Report to its Client in which all the issues are explained and are backed up by Colour images for reference. Not only that the report also explains the relevant solution to stop the leakage/ Seepage that how it can be resolved in the most cost effective manner and provides a long term solution.

Rajasthan RERA serves notices to nine developers for violations

JAIPUR

After nearly one-and-a-half year, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Rajasthan, on Wednesday once again swung into action and issued notices to nine developers who were allegedly violating the norms.

The authority cancelled the registration of one project, while it issued show-cause notices to developers for advertising their projects without getting registered under the RERA (Rajasthan).

An official source said, “One developer who had proposed a project in Pratap Nagar near NRI colony has allegedly claimed that the land belongs to him. For the same, an affidavit was submitted, while registering the project at RERA. However, a complaint was received against the developer and during examination, it was proved that the land doesn’t belong to him and RERA cancelled the registration.”

To others notices were issued also under Section 35(1) of the RERA Act 2016 to builders for advertisement of project without prior registration. The authority has also directed these developers to stop such illegal actions immediately and explain in writing within seven days. “The developers violated the law as the advertisement, market, book, sale or offer for sale or invite person to purchase in any manner, any plot, apartment or building in the real estate project prior to registration of the sale under the said Act is prohibited,” said the source.

The authorities would impose penalty if these developers are found guilty. “In case the explanation is not submitted within given time, the authorities may take action,” said a source.

Source:https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/rajasthan-rera-serves-notices-to-nine-developers-for-violations/70068423

Home Inspection can save your home’s health

Detect Issues

Significant crack with hollowness at plaster surface noted on external masonry sill.

Describe Issues

Due to this crack on external sill, rainwater and moisture will enter masonry wall surface thereby affecting adjacent/ in-house wall surface and will weaken the integrity of associated elements. Additionally, if Crack not treated at right time, can increase in depth and lead to further deterioration at the affected area. Hence will hassle the residents by adding an extra cost and time factor due to its rectification or repair process.

Direct Solutions

We recommend:
Step 1 – Cracks with hollow plaster surface and loose material to be scrapped off till hard strata.
Step 2 – Re-plastering to be done with repair mortar.
Step 3 – After adequate curing of plastered surface, exterior grade paint finish to be provided as per paint manufacturer specifications.

How to Identify Defects in Old Buildings?

A home inspection is necessary before plunging into a property buying decision for it implements modern technology to identify issues. Defects affect the performance of a building during its occupancy stage. Older homes are more prone to be laden with defects as there are higher chances of worn out/ faulty construction, design issues, wear & tear due to efflux of time and lack of maintenance. The defects not only affect the building but also reduce its value. Re-modelling might also turn out to be a costly affair. Therefore it is of utmost importance that a third party property inspection is arranged for so that the issues can be addressed before it is too late.

There are several areas where issues occur in old buildings. Some of them might be right in front of your eyes while some are hidden problems. How to identify them? Here are a few ideas:

Damp, leakage and seepage assessment

Indian weather is varied but most parts of it have a tropical climate which means the buildings are exposed to rain and humidity for a long duration. Water seepage through the roofs and walls, leave behind damp patches on them- both on the exterior as well as interior walls and ceilings. The damp areas become bloated with time and in severe cases, the plaster and paint come off.

In old buildings, continuous seepage cause salt damage. Soluble salts penetrate into the buildings envelope with rainwater and moisture which transports them further inside. This happens mainly because old buildings do not have horizontal waterproofing1. The salts react chemically with the porous building materials causing severe salt-induced damage. Research says different contaminants and pollutants behave differently on mortar, bricks, stones, and wood (majorly used in old buildings instead of iron and concrete pillars). However, it is difficult to assess the impact in each case by just looking at the damp patches externally. One only gets to realize the extent of damage when elaborate renovation work is undertaken. It is then that the construction workers discover that the inner fabric of the walls and ceilings have been completely worn out.

Therefore, it is important to engage a professional home inspection team to assess the dampness & its source using advanced technology devices so that the detection is precise, and so is the repair job.

Electrical issues

One of the biggest boons of technology and science is electricity without which our daily life would come to a standstill. Older buildings are likely to have old wires, and the electric panels might be out of date too. Electrical problems make their presence felt by flickering lights, blowing up of fuses frequently, overheating of electric appliances, mild to moderate electric shocks, etc. The problems tend to worsen if the building is damp. Dampness means there is moisture or capillary water in the fabric of the building. This co-existence of water and electricity can turn out to be very dangerous. So, even a single issue requires immediate attention and home inspection is necessary to get rid of such issues and ensure the property to be safe

Plumbing System

Old buildings have old piping and plumbing system installed which are not compatible with the modern taps and outlets. In addition to this, waste lines and faulty fixtures installation also contribute to leakage from showers and toilets. Drains are clogged too. Such leakages give rise to damp. Earlier Indian houses had drain pipes made of cast iron which would give way quickly as rust would be formed. These faults should be inspected on a regular basis by experienced inspection officers as that would ensure the safety of the dwellers.

Foundation and walls

That the foundation of the old building2 is defective can be understood from many signs, the most important being crack at junction of plinth protection and external walls. Moreover, inadequate draining and cracking concrete are also evident. Cement, bricks, concrete, wood, etc. are the most common raw materials of Indian houses. Older houses have older bricks and mortars exposed to temperature fluctuations and moisture years after years. The frequent shrinkage and expansion cause cracks on walls, which widen as the building gets older. Warping, sloping or sagging wall and floor also speak of aging of the house.

Another cause of deterioration of the health of old buildings is rising damp. The treatment of this problem is complex and mostly, invasive. Before going in for any such an elaborate, cost-intensive procedure it is advisable to assess the damage properly. Inspecting an old building reduces the chances of any adverse aftermath.

Roof and Floor

In old buildings, roofs and floors are invariably made of concrete. The cold, strong concrete floors are almost synonymous with heritage properties. They seem to be so steeped in history and tradition. However, concrete surfaces are often found to have mild undulations, faulty sloping, and poor waterproofing. For roofs, especially, these features turn out to be quite disadvantageous. After a heavy shower, water stands still on them and if the roof is not waterproof, seepage begins. Concrete floors, on the other hand, develop hairline cracks with time. These cracks appear mainly due to an improper foundation (shrinkage cracks), temperature/ curing problems or as an aftermath of seismic vibration, that is, earthquake.

There are two types of concrete shrinkage cracks3: i. Meandering fine crack. ii. Straight crack.

Meandering fine cracks appear in the open floor area while the straight cracks appear at the juncture of the concrete floor and the base of the wall which it meets. While these cracks are usually very fine, prolonged neglect and regular wear can widen them leading to severe dampness, fungal growth, and pest problems. Only visual inspection is enough to reveal these cracks but you have to be very vigilant. Once the cracks begin to widen, they may require costly repair.

Ceilings

The awe-inspiring heights of the rooms of old buildings often make us overlook the signs of aging and disintegration on their ceilings. Designed to beat the expansive heat and damp of most Indian cities, the ceilings keep bearing the brunt of high temperatures and water intrusion for years before finally becoming shabby and leaky. Another common feature of the ceilings of old houses is heavy wooden beams. Due to lack of adequate maintenance, these beams become termite-infested but since termites eat wood from the inside, they continue to look perfect up till many years. Only a professional inspection can bring the state of infestation to light and prevent the building from gradually slipping into ‘sick building syndrome.’

Paint of the building

Indian household paints have been identified to have unacceptable levels of lead in them. Though there is no regulation confirming the lead content, it is wise to use paints sans lead as this will keep lead toxicity at bay. If re-modelling is scheduled in line, paints with nil lead content should be chosen. Also, in older homes peeling paint is a common phenomenon. The interior walls are found to have peeling paint which might be due to moisture seepage. In addition to this, seepage from the roof causes paint from the ceiling to be peeled off. This actually relates to the dampness of the old house as discussed earlier. Damp assessment is likely to do away with this issue. Post damp assessment, re-modelling the house and giving the old one a new coat of damp-proof paint4 would be effective.

Windows and Doors

Old buildings in their glorious times boast of beautifully crafted window panes, blinds, door panels, etc. But with age, the buildings lose their shine and aesthetics. Very commonly, the wood windows are found to have become lopsided. The bars made of iron become rusty and fragile. In fact, old wooden structures are often so infested with termites that the panes and panels become completely weak and crumbly. Old windows endure the rain and heat simultaneously and the wood often gives way as they become rotten. Therefore, inspecting the existing structures becomes crucial. Jumping into re-modelling is not a wise option here. Reconstructing may also found to be beneficial. That being said, any corrective action must be preceded by home inspection in order to justify the cost and time investment.

Old is gold, they say. But when it is your property where you plan to live the coming years, you must put the “old” to inspection tests to be assured that it remains “gold.” Regular upgrades are also recommended.

Reference Links
1. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/amse/2016/1280894/
2. https://www.proptiger.com/guide/post/6-ways-to-identify-structural-defects-in-a-house
3. https://inspectapedia.com/structure/Concrete_Shrinkage_Gaps.php
4. https://www.asianpaints.com/products/waterproofing-solutions/all-waterproofing-products.html

You have a Beautiful Home, but is it Safe for your dwelling?

You have a Beautiful House! This is what we look as a Compliment for our Homes. But do we Care whether it is Safe for our Dwelling?

Appellate tribunal to be functional soon: Bihar RERA Chairman

PATNA

The appellate tribunal of Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in state will officially start functioning within the next 15-20 days, RERA (Bihar) chairman Afzal Amanullah said on Tuesday.

Amanullah said the appellate tribunal is headed by Justice (retd) Arun Kumar with two more members. He said the real estate buyers or builders unsatisfied with the RERA judgement can appeal to the tribunal.

Amanullah said all the ongoing registered projects will have to complete their construction work by December 2020. “Of total 654 registered real estate projects, 50% are new,” he said.

“Besides, the accounts and finance team of RERA will now keep a tab on the accounts of builders to ensure that all the money invested by the consumers is being used for that project only. About 70% of the amount realized from the consumers shall be deposited in a separate bank account to be solely used for the particular project,” he said and added: “Builders failing to follow the norms will be penalized.”

Highlighting the achievements of RERA, its member Rajiva Bhushan Sinha said when it came into existence in Bihar in April 2018, only a handful of projects were registered. “Now more than 1,100 builders have applied for registration. Total 438 complaints have been received in the last one year and 322 of them are in the hearing stages while judgement has been delivered in 70 cases,” he said.

RERA member Subodh Kumar Sinha said, “We are not only helping the buyers, but also the builders in getting loan from the banks and meeting other construction-related requirements.”

Source: https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/appellate-tribunal-to-be-functional-soon-bihar-rera-chairman/70155355

Bore packing around Plumbing Pipes can save from seepage

Detect Issues

Bore packing is not provided around plumbing lines insertion at external side.

Describe Issues

If bore packing is not done around plumbing lines insertion at external side, then it will create a pathway for intrusion of external rainwater and moisture from air thereby affecting adjacent area wall surfaces. This will also cause damage in the interior elements due to moisture intrusion which can weaken its integrity. If not rectified at right time, it can further deteriorate the associated areas. Hence can hamper residents in long run by creating unhealthy living condition and adding an extra cost for repair works.

Direct Solutions

We recommend providing adequate bore packing around the plumbing pipe lines .

Meaning of Bore packing

Bore packing is the process of fixing Plumbing pipes in RCC members (Slabs or beams or RCC walls) in their cutouts/ core cuts.