High Rise
Buildings have been around for a long time in western countries. However, in
developing countries like ours, there has indeed been a slow pace of progress
in terms of the acceptance of high-rise buildings for residential purposes.
In India, people
tend to go by the most orthodox of ideas when it comes to accommodation or a
place to live. People would rather live in a small rented house instead of
opting for a multi-storied structure. But now things are changing quite rapidly
in favor of apartments and group housing. Apartments are no longer the chosen
domain of a few.
In early 1950,
the apartment culture slowly entered Mumbai and since then it has established a
firm foothold in metros like Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Kolkata as well as
Pune.
People
want a home within the urban area so that they can enjoy all the comforts and
facilities, which accompany life in a typical city. In the ancient days, people
used to dwell along the riverbanks for the sake of safety in numbers and better
co-operation in the day-to-day aspects of life.
The post independence
era triggered a passion among the citizens to live in independent homes. As per
the bye laws of the corporation, they have to leave a certain area of land
surrounding their home during construction. This further isolated them from the
neighborhood. In this type of residential accommodation people felt numerous
inconveniences-mainly the safety and security of the occupants of the house.
In general, people
migrated to the city for various reasons- job-searches, transfers, better
education and social life for their children, etc. Usually, persons who have
migrated from other states prefer to live in apartments, since they find the
apartment concept to their liking and specific needs. Local people, on the
other hand are not much in favor of Apartments.
Advantages of
Apartments Quick & Affordable
Constructing
a house is a long and expensive proposition. A person wishing to construct an
independent house has to literally break his back. He has to search for a
perfect plot. But to acquire a plot he must get hold of a Real Estate Agent; Then
comes scrutinizing the title, registration of the plot, finding a suitable
architect and contractor, sanction of the plan from the appropriate authority,
appointing numerous persons to supervise, while executing the construction
work. For electricity, water supply and sanitary line sanction, the person has
to run from pillar to post to get the job done and on time. Time is a precious
commodity, which a city man does not have to squander in the slow moving
working methods and work ethics of government officials.
The
attraction of buying an apartment is akin to the purchase of a ready-made
shirt. Whether you have enough money is not the issue since you can easily
avail any of the numerous Home Loans available these days at easy interest
rates and own your Dream Home within a few days. The current rate of interest
of home loans offered by the Housing Finance Companies is the lowest in the
entire history of the Indian Housing Finance Industry which is a remarkable
change.
Safety
The people living in
apartments feel secure and safe when compared to persons living in independent
homes. Round the clock watchman facility is available in apartments.
Unauthorized persons cannot enter in the apartment’s premises without the
consent and / or permission of the security chief of the apartment colony.
Businessmen and people who travel often can lock their flat and go about their business
without any worry in the world about their valuables etc. On the other hand, if
a person living in independent house does the same, he is more susceptible to
robbery.
Social Life
In
the city, people need to get to know and make friends and have a good time,
relax among like-minded people and also make contacts in the process.
Celebrating small social functions like birthdays and festivals become more
enjoyable and family-like in the closely-knit environment of the apartment
colony.
Luxury
Nowadays,
apartments in the upper class and upper middle class category are equipped to
cater to all the modern day 'necessities' of life like- swimming pool,
pool-house, gym, health club, guest house, tennis courts,
well-maintained lawns, park, community hall, etc. Professionals
appointed by the Apartment Residents' Associations for the common benefit of
the residents maintain these facilities efficiently.
Property Management
Cleaning
the premises, disposal of garbage, water pumping, sump tank maintenance, providing
water from tankers, are taken care of by the association. Even paying the
electricity and telephone bills are undertaken by the association. In case of
emergency like electrical fault, plumbing problem, the maintenance personnel
immediately attend to them and rectify the problem.
Legality
Usually, the
reputed builders will thoroughly check the title of the property before
commencement of the apartment project. If they do not take care of this aspect,
they will be in trouble when they execute the work and sell the same.
Disadvantages of
Apartments
While
buying apartments a person has to ensure that the builder is a good and
established one, otherwise the builder will misuse your investment, delay the
handing over of the possession, not provide the promised facilities or use substandard
and un-safe material for construction.
If
there is a leaking roof and you are the sufferer, you have to sort the matter
yourself with the resident of the flat above you.
Living
in apartments does not provide you with the desired privacy. For example if a
person owns a dog or some other pet, he cannot keep it in the apartment. During
festivals or any function for that matter, you cannot enjoy yourself or
celebrate in any manner you please. You have to religiously consider the
discomfort and inconvenience caused to the neighbors.
You may own the
flat but in these areas you will fall short of feeling like the 'King of your
Castle'!
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