Home Electricals System – Some Basic Questions Answered

As a home owner, one should know the basic parameters of the electrical system of the home one lives in.

Electrical system is a huge system divided into generation, transmission and distribution system, all the parts being taken care off by respective departments. The wiring inside a house can be a complicated matter for the owner but some basic things are easy to be kept in mind by the owner. Firstly in a home the standard voltage is 220V.

Here are answers to some of the basic home electrical system questions:

Q-1. Should a home have a DB and what are the components inside the DB?

Ans. Every home must have a DB. A DB stands for Distribution Box. DB is a component of an electricity supply system that divides electrical power and feeds into subsidiary circuits, with protective circuit breaker for each circuit in a common enclosure. One must ensure that each DB is with MCB for each circuit and also RCCB is installed. Once you are assured that DB with accessories are present then get it inspected for proper amperage, operation, safety and even load distribution.

Q-2.Why RCCB is a must?

Ans. RCCB stands for Residual Current Circuit Breaker which has been designed to protect a circuit from leakage fault. RCCB is a must because it provides protection even from a small leakage current generated by human touch or insulation failure of wire. MCB does not provide this level of protection. So the home owner / seller / buyer must ensure that RCCB has been installed at the home.

Q-3. What is electrical wire colour code and why is it important?

Ans. One must have got confused at some time on the sight of different colour wires in electrical wiring. Questions arise for the different colours of wires such as why different colours and why not same colour? For your information the wire colours used, are based on the Electrical colour code for wires which defers from country to country. In India for a single phase (220V) electrical wiring, the code followed is RGB i.e. Red colour wire for Phase, Green colour wire for earthing and Black colour wire for neutral connection. In case of three phase, two more colours are followed – Blue and Yellow, in which case, Red, Blue and Yellow coloured wired are used for phase connection, Green for Earthing and Black for neutral. So now you know which colour wire stands for phase, neutral and earthing in your wiring system.

Q-4. Earthing connection provided at which of the three-pin socket points?

Ans. The first thing that comes to mind is that at which terminal / hole in a 3 pin socket is the earthing terminal? Generally Earthing terminals are of a higher diameter. Hence checks to be done for earthing connection, which is a must as it protects against the leakage current causing shocks.

Changes in RERA need of hour to achieve growth: Madhya Pradesh RERA chief

Indore

With changing times, lot of technical advancement is happening in real estate sector and maximum utilization of the advancements will set the direction of real estate sector, said head of MP Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) on Friday. “These changes or technical advancement may be a challenge for developers but need of the hour to accept these changes to achieve growth,” Rera chairman Anthony De Sa said on Friday at a seminar on ‘Amendments in RERA’ conducted by Institute of Chartered Accountant Indore branch.

De sa said the aim of Rera is to ease and smoothen real estate market by bringing transparency and responsibility.

Addressing realtors and chartered accounts, he said, “Through Rera, we aim to increase investment in real state sector and protect rights of consumers. Higher investment in the sector will help in recovering from the tough phase.”

Rera chairman said chartered accountants also play an important role in ensuring the norms are followed and true documents are submitted by developers. He said a new format for developers report has been drafted by authorities after suggestions from chartered accountants.

“The pace of any project will be monitored on basis of quarterly return that shall be attested by chartered accountant,” said De Sa.

In Rera, audit of accounts is mandatory for developers. He said as per Section 4(2), it is the role of chartered accountant to check that money received from a particular project is spent only on that project and debit from the account is in accordance with site expenses.

CA should collect all information about project well in advance from developer before handing over certificate to authorities. Institute of Chartered Accountant Indore branch chairman Abhay Sharma said, “Rera has been implemented since past 21 months but still there is lack of awareness. For smooth implementation of real estate act it is important that people are fully aware of their rights and role of Rera that it plays in regulating real estate market.”

Fastener is key to Window Stability

Detect Issues

Screws used for fastening of window frame into wall.

Describe Issues

Usage of screws will reduce stability of the window frame as they are not designed for wind pressure. This can cause displacement of window frame which can create path for moisture and cause further damage. Additionally screws get easily rusted due to quality of its material. Hence this will add to the repair cost.

Direct Solutions

We recommend fitting of SS mechanical fastener with nylon plug.

Proper filling of gap can save floor from moisture intrusion

Detect Issues

Discolouration noted at wooden laminate flooring in bedroom near balcony door.

Describe Issues

Floor of bedroom & balcony is at same level and balcony door is placed over balcony floor; no sill / concrete barrier / level difference is given in between balcony & bedroom floor. Due to this sealant gets damaged when rainwater seeps inside or during washing of balcony. Additionally sealant application was not adequately done. Hence this can further deteriorate floor and can get affected by termite also; if not taken care in proper time can also cause damages to associated ceiling below the floor due to moisture. Thereby will create difficulty for residents by adding a cost and inconvenience due to repair.

Direct Solutions

We recommend :
1. Existing sealant to be scrapped off completely.
2. Gap under the door frame to be packed with backer rod of suitable size & sealed Glazing Silicone Sealant as per manufacturer’s specification.

Advantage Home Buyers: Home Inspections in the light of WB HIRA / RERA | Press Conference by MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections, 23rd of February, 2019 at Kolkata Press Club

Advantage Home Buyers: Home Inspections in the light of WB HIRA / RERA
Home Inspection Industry booming across various Indian cities. Industry Leader, MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice, expands PAN India

Kolkata Kalling – MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspection hosted a Press Meet at Kolkata Press Club last Saturday on 23rd February, 2019. The event was well covered by various Media Houses.Find some glimpse of the event……

The Speakers on the dais includes:

  1. Mr. Varun Goenka, Managing Director AG Group, Real Estate Developer
  2. Mr. Anup Dalmia, President RECA(Realtors Association, Kolkata) & Vice President, NAR, India
  3. Ms. Harleen Kaur, Interior Designer, Glamour School of Fashion & Interiors
  4. Mr. Kamal Prakash, Industrialist, Promoter – Jiwanram Sheoduttrai Group
  5. Mr. Mahendra Sureka, Founder & CEO, MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice, India

Dawn of a Sun-Shine Industry – Multiple Home Inspection companies start operating across various Indian cities
A new era has been born in India with the initiation of Professional Home Inspection Services Industry. Seeds have been sown for the development of a potentially multi-billion US Dollars Home Inspections Industry in India. Leading professionals (from IIT / IIM / Google / SAP / Wharton / ICAI) have started multiple home inspection companies in various cities of India.

Formation of Home Inspection Association of India – A Milestone achieved in the country
MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice, has taken the lead in bringing the founders of key home inspection companies operating in India, come together to form the Home Inspection Association of India (HIAI). The Association has been formed with the objective to have a common platform for the growth, development & regulation of home inspection industry in India. It will also further the RERA / WB HIRA objectives of the government.

Mahendra Sureka (Founder -CEO, MACJ, India) said the implementation of WB HIRA / RERA has further boosted the Home Inspection Services industry. He was confident that home inspection services in India will develop into a multi-Billion US Dollar industry over the next decade helping both the developers and home buyers in the process. This will also help in skill development and creating huge employment opportunities.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Varun Goenka, Promoter AG Group, city based real estate developer, said that the advent of the West Bengal Housing Industry Regulatory Act, 2017 (WB HIRA) will give a big boost to the real estate market. In the light of RERA, the home inspection services will not only boost the morale of the consumers but will also provide the real estate developers peace of mind by assuring quality control over work done by contractors / workers even when they or their senior management cannot always actually be on-site. This will enable developers to deliver pre-inspected quality homes to their home buyers.

Mr. Anup Dalmia, President of Realtors & Estate Consultants Association, Kolkata (RECA) & Vice President, National Association of Realtors, India said, “WB HIRA will go a long way in creating awareness, the real estate agents will have a much larger and responsible role to perform and it will bring in professionalism in the sector. He added that with Home inspections, realtors can potentially sell the home for more money by providing pre-inspected quality homes to their customers.

Ms. Harleen Kaur, Interior Designer and owner of Glaamour School of Fashions & Interiors stressed on the importance of home inspections before interior designing and added that it opens up a totally new segment for skill development, certification courses and employment generation.

Mr. Kamal Prakash, Industrialist, JS Group mentioned that they have been using MACJ – A Buyers Choice Home Inspections services for their residence, office, School NGO regularly & were very happy with the services and professionalism of the team.

MACJ, India has collaborated with the leading US, MNC – A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections (ABCHI) to pioneer professional home services in India for the first time from the city of Kolkata, West Bengal. ABCHI, USA is presently having over 200 franchises spread across 19 countries on a path to become the world’s largest home inspection company. MACJ, India has been co-promoted by Mahendra Sureka & Arvind Kumar Bhotica along with investors Kamal Prakash of Jiwanram Sheoduttrai Group and Ravindra Chamaria, Infinity Group.For more information about MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections in India, call +91-8584855470, email at info@macj.in or visit www.macj-abuyerschoice.com

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by MACJ-ABCHI News

Over 1,000 developers keep dodging Karnataka RERA notices

Karnataka

With over 1,000 real estate projects in the state not registering with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and their proponents not responding to repeated notices, the authorities are in a fix.

The Karnataka-RERA secretary wrote to the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai), requesting it to facilitate the registration of unregistered projects by encouraging promoters/developers to appear before the Authority.

Referring to the 1,076 projects “under investigation”, which have been identified by RERA for not having registered with the body, the authority’s secretary said not only have the projects’ proponents not responded to the notices, they have not explained the reason for not registering with RERA as per the provisions.

A majority of these projects are in Bengaluru.

“Despite issuance of several notices by RERA, only a few promoters have come forward and registered and a very few promoters have submitted their explanation claiming exemption under the provisions of the Act and rule but have failed to produce relevant documents before the Authority,” RERA secretary Latha Kumari K S wrote in the letter.

She asked the Credai-Karnataka president to support the implementation of the RERA Act and rules in letter and spirit. In his reply, Credai vice president Suresh Hari wrote: “All Credai members have registered under RERA and it is only the small builders who are out of the confederation who have stayed out. So there is nothing that we can do to get them registered.”

Activists who are fighting for the effective implementation of RERA have questioned the authority for not initiating action against these projects “under investigation” and for following a wait and watch policy. “RERA can verify the plan approval sanctioned to projects that are under the scanner. They can even freeze their bank accounts,” said M S Shankar, a RERA activist and the secretary of Fight for RERA-Forum for People’s Collective Efforts.

RERA authorities say it is a herculean task to track project promoters. “Often their registered offices do not exist or emails bounce back. In several cases, there is no way we could find out and track the promoter. RERA cannot initiate penalty provisions without giving the project proponent an opportunity to present the case,” said Kumari.

RERA believes that several of the projects under investigation could be older projects which got approvals and commenced before RERA came into existence.

Sources – www.realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/over-1000-developers-keep-dodging-karnataka-rera-notices/67991556

Gaps can create unhygienic conditions

Detect Issues

Gap noted under the bathroom door panel.

Describe Issues

Due to this gap, water will flow and pest can travel from bathroom to adjacent areas which can further cause health issues. If this is not rectified on time, this can hamper residents in long run by creating unhygienic condition.

Direct Solutions

We recommend to provide a suitable weather strip.

NRIs and their Long Distance Relationship / Phir bhi dil hain Hindustani

Being away from your hometown (NRI / CCC) is tough. To fulfil the foreign country’s dream, one has to overcome many hurdles. From food habits to language problem, from culture issues to finding a place to stay and most importantly homesickness, staying away from your family and friends and your home sweet home. But there is one thing that never leaves your mind; nagging fear about your home especially if it is kept away from you under lock and key. Being an NRI, your home is back in India and you are very familiar with that almost constant worry of its welfare lurking at the back of your mind. Added to that worry is also a lingering sense of guilt, for having left home.

Your worry increases particularly if you don’t have siblings or relations to take care even in emergency situations. The call from Home makes you alert and cautious if not always but sometimes fearing the unknown. So this long distance relationship with the beloved ones at home and with home itself is a very emotional draining experience.

If you have elderly parents back home, you will be only too aware of their sense of health, safety and security issues. There can be another scenario wherein your home is left alone and no one is there to take care of it. Your home withstands a lot of issues like seasonal changes, general wear & tear and low or no maintenance.

Introducing a service for managing your biggest investment when you are away from it – your property / home.

Well, worry no more. It is precisely for this reason that MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections in collaboration with A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections (ABCHI), a leading American home inspection company was founded in India.

Who are we? We are your home doctors.

Basically we are India’s pioneering professional Home Inspection company providing non-invasive, visual examination of all accessible areas (systems & components) of a property using modern technology and specialized tools uses normal operating controls, is designed to describe the condition of the systems and components, identifies and reports issues within specific systems and components, reports issues (with relevant pictures) that are both observed and deemed critical by the inspector, generates software driven home inspection reports.

Our Services include:

  • Complete Home / Property Inspection
  • Damp / Seepage Assessment with Solutions through Thermal Imaging Technology
  • Electrical Inspections of a Home / Property
  • Construction Finishing Inspection for Real Estate Developers
  • Complete Property Care and Management Services

Complete Property Care and Management Services – For NRIs / CCCs

These services have been especially put together for our NRI friends keeping in mind solely the different types of issues that they might face while they are far away from their dwelling.  These services include:

  • Home Inspection to map your property condition and providing a complete docket of your property.
  • Other related services for upkeep and maintenance of your property including:
    • Construction Supervision / Updates
    • Pre-handover Inspection
    • Property handover and Key Collection Inspections
    • Tenant Management Inspections
    • Periodical Inspection
    • Property Monitoring & Management
    • Other related assistance

So now do not take stress, and leave the rest to us. Your property care is our assurance. We not only assure, but we will keep you informed in every step. Our honest, ethical, transparent services will heal all your headaches, worries and tension.

For more information on Complete Property Care and Management Services, please go through www.macj-abuyerschoice.com/complete-property-care-for-nris-cccs

MahaRERA allows builders a second chance if homebuyers agree

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority has decided to give developers a second chance to complete delayed projects after the usual extension of a year, provided over 50% customers of the property concerned agree to it.

Vasant Prabhu, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) secretary, said an order was issued last week to give genuine developers a second chance to complete a stalled project if the consumers were willing to wait. He said, “The extension is subject to consent of more than half the flat buyers and a time-frame would be set.”

Prabhu said, “We were getting complaints of delay in project execution. With this order, consumers can take a call on if they want to continue with the project. If more than 50% consumers agree, we can give an extension to the developer.”

Nearly 90% of the complaints registered with the MahaRERA are regarding delay in execution of projects. State president of Credai Shantilal Kataria said the order would not only benefit the consumers, but also the developers.

“It is neither easy for a consumer nor a developer to cancel a project. Given more time, genuine developers will complete projects within the time-frame decided by both the parties,” said Kataria.

The real estate sector faced a rough patch in the past two-three years. It is slowly on the recovery path. Property consultants closely monitoring the market stated that the real estate sector was set to grow this year.

“The issue of stalled projects and liquidity crisis continued to confound the housing sector last year though it continued its transition into a relatively more transparent and end-user driven market,” said Anuj Puri, chairman of Anarock Property Consultants. He added that builders were extremely cautious about launching new projects to align supply with the existing buyer demand.

Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) – the consumer forum taking up the issues of MahaRERA from the inception-welcomed the move of giving a say to the consumers but stressed that the authority should have specified that the “association of allottees” should be appointed after 50% booking of flats in a project was done.

Sources – www.realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/maharera-allows-builders-a-second-chance-if-homebuyers-agree/67985471