Vastu tips for positive energy at home

The energy flow in a house is greatly influenced by its construction and the décor in the house. We look at some simple ways in which home owners can boost the positive energy in their homes

Each one of us desires to live in a home that is comfortable, calming and rejuvenates us. It is important to understand that the energy within a house, affects the people who occupy it. “One’s environment helps in building a foundation for a healthier mind and body and Vastu Shastra offers ways to create a healthier life,” says Nitien Parmar of VastuPlus. “If followed correctly, Vastu Shastra can help the home’s residents to become physically and mentally healthy,” Parmar adds.

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Vastu tips for the main door

Vastu principles improve a living space, according to the principles of harmony and energy flow. The main door of a house is the entry point for energy. “A door that opens outward pushes energy away from home. So, have the main door opening clockwise. Opportunities may be limited, if the door does not open fully. Ensure that the lobby near the main door is not dark. Good lighting stimulates positive flow of energy and promotes balance and harmony within the premise. Every house should have a threshold (umbra) on the floor, at door frame. It protects the house from external negative influences,” adds Parmar.

Declutter for positive energy

One can positive energy into a house, by decluttering and cleaning the space. Clutter creates stagnant energy and impedes the flow of positive energy. Avoid keeping chipped, cracked or broken things. Clean the cupboards and drawers and clear things that are no longer in use. Keep the house clean and ensure that there are no cobwebs. Add few spoons of sea-salt to the water and mop the floor with it. It is believed that mopping the house with salt water, will reduce the effects of negative vibrations.

Vastu-compliant construction

There is a strong connection between the energy of the house and the health of the occupants, maintains Rasesh H Shah, energy facilitator and Vastu expert. “Ancient architecture was all about proportions and planning the structure in a manner that it is always in sync with the magnetic field of the earth and harmony of colours. It is most important to commence the construction at the right moment (muhurat) and to use non-offensive building materials. Every built space has three types of energies – cosmic, earth and structural. To make the space positive and to ensure that all three are in harmony with each other, keep the centre of the space, which is called the Brahmasthan, free of any kind of structural violation. This will ensure that the flow of cosmic energy is balanced. Earth energy can be balanced by keeping the north-east corner lively. Structural energy can be harmonised, by ensuring that there is no clutter in the space,” advises Shah.

Rectifying Vastu faults

According to Vastu experts, one can also attract positive vibes to enhance the health and well-being of the occupants, by simply arranging or correcting items in the surroundings. “If the bathroom is directly opposite to the kitchen, keep the door closed and use a Vastu energy partition on the door frame to separate these opposing energies and to block the negative energy,” says Parmar.

“Mirrors bounce back energies. Hence, if the bed on which one sleeps, is in the line of the mirror, it is advisable to remove the mirror or to cover it, for better sleep. A tulsi plant is a must for the home, as it clears negative energy,” concludes Shah.

Home décor tips for positive energy

• Fresh air and sunlight aids positive energy at home. So, ensure that you keep the home’s windows open, for some time in the morning.
• Aquariums are akin to moving water and it is auspicious, when placed towards the north-east.
• Avoid having a tree, pole or pillar facing the main door. It is called a dwar vedh (door obstacle). Similarly, avoid having dead plants near the door.
• Keep the bathroom door closed. Always keep toilet lid down, when not in use. Ensure that there are no leaking taps at home. Use pleasant fresheners in the bathroom.
• Do not keep medicines in the kitchen.
• Switch off all electronic and Wi-Fi systems, while taking rest.
• Play soothing divine music or chanting of mantras at home, for some time in the morning.
• Ensure that the furniture edges are not sharp. Avoid excessive use of red, black and grey in the home’s décor.
• Avoid having split levels in the floor.
• Pictures at home should always be positive. Avoid photos depicting war, loneliness, poverty, etc. To generate positive energy, display pictures of nature.
• For a calming effect at home, light a diya, camphor or add soothing fragrance like sandalwood.

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Source: housing.com

Basic rights that tenants and landlords need to be aware of

When it comes to rental accommodations, there are some basic rules and rights that tenants, as well as landlords should be aware of, to avoid friction. Here's a look at some simple, yet, commonly overlooked aspects

People who live in rental accommodations, often face disputes on minor things with their landlord. It is, therefore, essential to know what your rights as a tenant are, as well as the rights of the landlord. Both parties must respect these rights, to live in harmony.

Credits : Freepik.com

Basic things that the landlord must provide with the property

According to Nishit Dhruva, managing partner, MDP & Partners, “The most basic requirements that a landlord (licensor) ought to provide to the tenant (licensee) under the common Leave and License Agreements include:

• - Accurate details of the licensed premises, such as the size of the premises, availability of car parking area, etc.
• - Willingness and cooperation to get the leave and license agreement duly stamped and registered, at the sub-registrars office.
• - Uninterrupted use and occupation of the licensed premises.
• - Safety and privacy to the licensee, to use and enjoy the licensed premises.
• - Clear right, title and interest, to provide the licensee with the license to use and enjoy the licensed premises.

Tenants should inspect the apartment for defects and make a note of them, by taking a photo to share with the landlord. They should ensure that the plumbing systems (including the water pressure), electricals fixtures and other provisions in the apartment are in a usable condition. Some tenants also request that the landlord repaint the walls, before they move into the apartment.

When should the deposit be handed over to the landlord?

“The deposit is usually an advance given by the tenant to the landlord as a security, while moving into the rented apartment. The purpose of the deposit is to protect the landlord, in case of any damages or alternatively, in the event of any non-payment by the tenant. The payment period for the deposit is usually stipulated in the agreement with the landlord. The deposit is typically inclusive of administrative fees. Any grounds for deduction from the deposited, should be specified in the agreement. The deposit is returned to the tenant after the completion of the tenancy period, assuming that there are no deductions applicable,” explains Shubika Bilkha, business head at REMI.

Who bears the cost of repairs in a rental home?

Experts believe that ideally the licensor should bear all costs arising out of wear and tear and structural damage caused to the licensed premises, on account of the monthly license fees enjoyed by them. However, most of the parties come to an understanding, whereby, the licensor bears the costs of all long-term structural damage, while regular wear and tear is borne by the licensee.

Under what condition can a landlord ask the renter to leave the property?

A landlord can ask the tenant to vacate under two conditions:

• - Eviction with a cause and
• - Eviction without a cause

Dhruva elaborates: “Landlords can allow the tenant the pre-decided notice period, to look for alternate accommodation, in case of eviction without cause. In most situations, the following causes can be a reason for eviction:

• - Consistent delay in the payments received from the tenant.
• - Violation of a term or a condition specified in the agreement.
• - Illegal activities on the leased property.
• - Serious damage to the rental property.”

Increase in rental

Increase of rent is entirely up to the understanding arrived at between the licensor and the licensee. Strictly as per the law, there is no cap on such increase and the licensee must negotiate and settle on fair terms, in respect of the increase in rent.

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Source: housing.com

Real Estate Investment: Why Navratri is a good time to buy property

Navratri is considered auspicious to buy new assets. With the onset of this festival, real estate developers also come up with their special offerings for buyers.

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Things to consider, Why Navratri is a good time to buy property

Navratra or Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrated across India with great zeal and vigour. It involves worshipping nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. In India Navratri is celebrated twice a year: Chaitra Navaratri normally falls in the month of March-April and Shradiya Navaratri is usually celebrated in the month of October or November.

This period is considered auspicious to buy new assets. With the onset of this festival, real estate developers also come up with their special offerings for buyers. Usually, developers offer discounts on property prices during this festival season. The offers, however, are generally for a limited period or on specific days. For example, a discount on the per square feet rate on the last two days of Navratra is a common practice. Developers also offer free gifts during this time. The commercial real estate fraternity remains quite upbeat about the festive season and looks forward to the start of new projects. Some developers start the construction of new malls, retail shops etc.

Banks also encourage property buying during the Navratras by offering several schemes. These schemes include lower interest rates, waiver on processing fees, and faster processing of the loan, etc.

These days are considered highly auspicious; purchasing made during this time is believed to bring good luck, opulence and wealth to the buyer. Especially the real estate sector sees a massive boom during these nine days.

However, despite the offers being lucrative, experts suggest that buyers should not fall for these and must conduct a thorough research before making a buying decision. Buying a property is an important decision in a buyer’s life and all required parameters such as builder reputation, location, specifications and etc should be checked.

Whatever be the case, the Navratra season is believed to be a good time to buy property and if you are looking to invest in property, then this may be the right time for you.

Also read: The home buyers’ guide to choosing the right amenities

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Source: financialexpress.com

Design must-dos for doing up a weekend home

While a weekend home can be a relaxing getaway, home owners need to ensure that the home is designed, according to the climate and topography of the area

Vacation homes are increasingly becoming popular as a niche housing segment, with many row house and bungalow projects coming up near metro cities in India, in the past decade.

“These second homes are mostly located on the outskirts of cities,” points out Ravi Gurav, member of the MCHI. “Consequently, the infrastructure in these locations, may not be at par with that in the city. Secondly, a majority of these locations, are either above the sea level (for example, Karjat), in hilly areas or close to beaches (for example, Alibaug),” he adds. Hence, the climatic conditions at these locations, are not the same as that in cities and this needs to be considered, before designing the second home.

Ateev Gala, executive director of the Vijay Group, feels that the climate and topography of an area, can be leveraged while designing a weekend home. “The architectural theme and concept of the second home, can boost its ‘enjoyability quotient’. For example, one can design the homes with a colonial or mediterranean theme, with ample fresh air, sunlight and natural views, to match the requirements of people,” he says.

Credits : Freepik.com

Things to consider, while designing a weekend home

A well-designed house, should keep its occupants comfortable, in all seasons. “To achieve this, one should hire an architect or engineer, who is well-versed with the kind of materials that will sustain in such climate. They must also lay down a practical plan that ensures that all the required materials are easily available and affordable,” advises Sushil Raheja, CEO, Raheja Homes Builders & Developers.

Site layout:

If it is a low-lying area, consider a raised platform for the house. If the area has trees and greenery, opt for a layout that does not harm the vegetation. One should also check the soil of the place and ensure that the drainage system can cope with the soil and water conditions.

Regions that receive substantial rain:

In such places, the humidity levels are higher during the day, while the ambient temperature is lower during the night. Hence, one should choose building materials that allow for air circulation and also insulate from the cold nights. Earth as a building material for walls, is the best possible choice and can be used in the form of stabilised blocks or as rammed earth panels. Large overhanging roofs can be used, to prevent the walls from getting soaked in heavy rains. The windows must be protected, using a chajjah or box, to prevent water from entering the house. The appliances and furniture must be properly coated, to protect them from moisture, while the the flooring should be non-skid.

Beaches and coastal areas:

These areas have very high humidity throughout the day. Hence, homes in such regions should have a well-designed ventilation and cooling system, to dehumidify the indoor air. These places also receive generous amount of sunshine and ambient temperatures can be very high during the day. Hence, a greater thermal mass for the walls – to retain the heat and not allow it to pass indoors, is very important. Locally-sourced stones or even earth, can be a very good eco-friendly alternative to regular bricks or concrete blocks. Coastal areas also have salty air. Thus, the appliances and furniture must be treated accordingly, to avoid rusting.

Climatic condition:

Ricky Doshi, director, ARD Studio explains, “Places like Lonavala, Khandala and Deolali, have climatic conditions that differ from Mumbai. They are located at a higher altitude, thereby, making the air more dry than in Mumbai. These regions receive more rainfall and have cooler temperatures in winters. These factors have to be considered, while designing the home.”

Hill slopes or mountains:

It is very important to anchor the structure properly, on such terrain.

Stilt foundations provide a viable solution, reducing the footprint of the dwelling and preventing it from getting in the way of surface aquifers, if any, along the slopes. At the same time, the superstructure above, must be lightweight and thermally insulating. Wood is a good alternative for the flooring and walls and helps to control indoor temperatures. Stone shingles can be used for the roof, to protect from harsh sunlight.

On flatter regions, stone can be used for constructing the entire building, as it is abundantly available.

Expenditure incurred

According to Ashish Bhuvan, principal architect and partner, IdeinLab Architects, “If one were to use a single set of materials across all terrains, one would end up spending more on the operational and maintenance costs of the building during its lifecycle. Hence, it is better to chose locally available materials and systems, which are cost-effective and suit the location.” However, additional expenditure may be needed, to build a house, based on the topography and types of materials that are required. In some cases, this may be 15%-20% higher than the cost of building a traditional house in a temperate zone. Also, local materials may not be available and one may need to spend on transportation costs.

Redevelopment in Mumbai will be unviable with FSI sops gone: Experts

September 26, 2018

Mumbai

Construction industry sources told TOI that withdrawals of FSI incentives in the new DP notification will hamper development in the city. Generally, about 50% of a plot is reserved for Accommodation Reservation (AR) meant for any public amenity like a hospital or a market. For surrendering this portion of the plot, the developer was earlier entitled to receive additional FSI for the total area. The changed AR policy, architects said, will not find any takers.

Industry experts warned redevelopment of housing societies will become unviable. Architect Manoj Daisaria said withdrawal of the AR and Road FSI benefits will severely hamper redevelopment.

Under the new notification, the incentive FSI has been curtailed to the net plot (after surrendering the land required to BMC). For example, on a 10,000 sq m plot, the developer surrenders 5,000 sq m to the BMC for public amenities. With the incentives offered earlier, the builder would have been able to construct over 40,400 sq m on the 5,000 sq m under him. The notification dated September 22 will reduce the construction allowed to just 16,685 sq m on the 5,000 sq m portion held by the builder. "The state government's own AR policy in 2016 had allowed incentive FSI on the gross plot. It is shocking that the urban development department has reduced this on the net plot," said a senior architect.

Another withdrawal is of construction benefits offered to land-owners/builders whose plots are reserved for widening a public road. The government's Road TDR policy of November 16, 2016 had offered additional construction rights in the form of FSI to builders when a portion of the plot is surrendered for road-widening. The new notification has withdrawn this.

For instance, an industry expert said, on a 10,000 sq m plot, the builder would have been able to receive extra FSI to build on the 9,000 sq m (after surrendering 1,000 sq m for road-widening). This extra FSI would have permitted him to build around 35,700 sq m on the 9,000 sq m portion. However, now the developer may get to build just 30,000 sq m.

Architects, engineers and town planners are aghast that even after four rounds of corrections over the last three years, the government is unable to correctly publish the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR).

Members of the Practising Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association (PEATA) said the government in May 2016 had promised land owners who offered their plots for public amenities extra FSI over and above the permissible limit.

"All this has been rolled back without assigning any reasons and without inviting objections and suggestions," said Yomesh Rao, an architect. Rao said nearly 70% of plots in Mumbai have reservation for road-widening. "Societies who have to give up land for road setback waiting to carry out redevelopment will be badly hit. The FSI they will now get for the setback area will not ensure them those slightly larger flats on account of the FSI cap," he added.

Architect Vilas Nagalkar said in the last five decades neither the state nor BMC have come forward to acquire plots on which reservations have been clamped. "In the absence of incentives no landowner will offer his land for reservation nor offer to develop it. The result is Mumbai suffers," he said. Sources in the BMC said civic officials have already started work on correcting certain clerical errors.

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Source:content.magicbricks.com

Realty Hotspot Series: Connectivity is big plus point for Ghodbunder locality, Mumbai

September 25, 2018

This week’s realty hotspot series takes a look at Ghodbunder Road in Thane. This locality is well-connected to office areas across Thane West, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai. The proposed metro line between KasarvadavaliWadala would further strengthen connectivity.

It is about 32 kms from the airport and 13 kms from the nearest railway station.

Properties here are priced in the range of Rs 7,040-12,280 per sq ft.

Ghodbunder Road, Thane
Price range: Rs 7,040-12,280 per sq ft
Demand: Medium
Supply: High

Distance from 
Airport: 32 km
Railway station: 13 km
NH-48: 0 km

Highlights

• Proximity and smooth connectivity to office areas across localities of Thane West, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
• Connects with Eastern & Western Express Highways and enjoys wider access to key MMR areas.
• Proposed Metro Line 4 (Kasarvadavali-Wadala) would further strengthen connectivity in the region.

Locality snapshot
• Schools 15+
• Banks 20+
• Hospitals 12+
• Grocery Stores 16+
• Restaurants 17+
• Petrol Pumps 12+


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Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com

How to make your home pet-friendly

September 2018

Home owners who wish to keep pets at home, need to ensure that their house caters to its needs and provides a safe environment for all. We explain the dos and don’ts

Besides providing companionship, there are also therapeutic benefits of owning a pet. Nevertheless, owning a pet is also a commitment and a responsibility. Consequently, home owners should ensure that the house is safe and comfortable for their pets. Although a pet can turn your house upside-down, things generally change as the pet grows up and you learn to adjust to its behaviour and needs.

The most common change that home owners make to the décor, is to remove all rugs. If you have cats or dogs at home, the carpets can turn into breeding grounds for fleas, cautions Lekha Gupta, senior architect, LAB (Language Architecture Body).

“Wooden flooring is usually slippery. Pets love to run around and wooden flooring may cause serious injury. So, avoid it,” adds Gupta.

All staircases must be barricaded, to prevent small pets from rolling down or trying to climb up, unattended. “Also barricade all grills that overlook lower floors, as your puppy may try to jump down. All balconies and windows with wide grills, must be meshed so that puppies cannot go through them,” advises Yashodhara Hemchandra of Yashbans Kennels in Bengaluru, a well-known pet groomer, who along with her two daughters, Rishya and Radhiya, offers various pet related services.

Credits : Freepik.com

Protecting your home’s décor

People with dogs or cats at home, are likely to find that their sofas are covered with hair, no matter how often they vacuum the house. Hence, opt for sofa covers that can be taken off and washed occasionally. “When you have guests at home, you can remove these covers,” offers Gupta. To keep the house clean, one should also designate a dining area, a toilet area and a cosy sleeping area for your pet. “To ensure that they do not spoil the floor with urine or poop, owners should start potty training from the first day the pets come home. Continuous and correct training for the first few days is important,” states Hemchandra.

“Most pets will tend to walk right into glass. So, put a frosted film, or a decal on the glass to avoid accidents. Pets can also get hurt by swinging doors or get locked in a room. Therefore, use door stoppers that are heavy, so that the pet will not be able to play with them,” advises Gupta.

Ensuring comfort for your pets

Cats and kittens tend to scratch, to sharpen their claws. Buy a scratch pad, so that they do not scratch your furniture. Ensure that cords on curtains and wires do not hang at a low level. “Keep small objects, stationery and children’s toys, medicines and household cleaners away from your pets’ reach to prevent them from swallowing these objects,”

Birdcages should be kept away from windows, to protect the pet from the sun’s heat and rain. Aquariums should also be kept away from direct sunlight, to prevent the growth of algae, which will make the water green. While painting, polishing or doing pest control treatment, keep the fish tank away, as the chemicals in the air may kill the fishes. Also, keep the tank away from sources of loud noise and check the electrical equipment of the tank regularly.

Tips for home owners with pets

• Vacuum-clean the house regularly.
• Hard flooring and anti-skid tiles are ideal for homes with pets.
• Provide steps for pets to climb onto high furniture. Else, their nails can rip the upholstery when they try climbing.
• Protect the pets by covering sharp edges of furniture.
• Store household chemicals in a locked cabinet and keep glassware and lighted candles away from the pets’ reach.
• Use wide and low wicker baskets to store all the pet’s toys and to avoid cluttering the house.
• Most common household plants are poisonous to dogs. Hence, keep plants like jasmine, poinsettia, castor bean, lantana, philodendron, etc., out of their reach.
• Keep dustbins and toilet lids closed.

Also read: The home buyers’ guide to choosing the right amenities

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Source: housing.com