This article provides comprehensive information about housing in Delhi.
Important things to consider by Expats before renting a Home in Delhi
INITIAL ARRANGEMENTS
For newly-arrived expats, it’s best to stay in a hotel for the short term and there are plenty of options for all budgets. However, it could take several weeks between your arrival in the city and being able to move into your own home. Fortunately, there are various hotels, serviced apartments and homely ‘Bed & Breakfast inns which are clean, comfortable and conveniently located.
FINEST HOTELS
SERVICED APARTMENTS
Please check in advance if the serviced apartment of your choice meets your expectations in terms of hygiene, maintenance and amenities.
FINEST SERVICED APARTMENTS
GUEST HOUSES / BED & BREAKFAST INNS
At one time, Delhi lacked mid-ranged accommodation for short and medium-term stays, but this has begun to change. During the Commonwealth Games, the government encouraged city homeowners to let out their spare rooms and homes; and many enterprising families converted extra residential space into small guest houses and boutique-style ‘bed & breakfast’ inns. Foreigners settled in Delhi have also joined in and offer accommodation to international needs and standards. It’s best to check websites and ask for recommendations before making a choice, as the levels of quality and facilities offered can vary greatly from place to place south Delhi in particular offers good civic amenities, parks and shopping centers within or near its residential colonies.
BEST AREAS TO LIVE IN DELHI FOR EX-PATS
When moving to a new country decisions have to be made about a number of things. One of the most important is where you are going to be living and in what type of accommodation. Where to live will probably be the most important consideration in your hunt for a home.
Real estate in the capital is expensive, but it’s possible to get value for money due to the availability of various types and sizes of housing.
South Delhi in particular offers good civic amenities, parks, and shopping centers within or near its residential colonies.
Some of the finest neighborhoods to live in Delhi for expats, diplomats and top corporate executives are as follows:
GRADE A + NEIGHBORHOODS
These residential neighborhoods have lower population density, superior civic amenities, green and calm surroundings – the most preferred districts by expatriates in Delhi.
GRADE A NEIGHBORHOODS
These residential neighborhoods have moderate population density, good civic amenities, and green surroundings –preferred by expatriates in Delhi.
- DEFENCE COLONY
- GULMOHAR PARK
- ANAND LOK
- NEETI BAGH
- NIZAMUDDIN EAST
- ANAND NIKETAN
HOUSING IN DELHI
Homes with Gardens: An attractive option, as a garden can be managed at a nominal cost. These are preferred by families with small children.
Homes with Terraces: Top-floor or split-level homes with terraces (independent or sometimes shared) usually have great light, maximum privacy and little noise. However, it can get hot in the summer and the cost of electricity can be upto 20 percent higher than that of lower floors! the terrace is an advantage for relaxing and entertaining.
Independent Floors: This is a self-contained home spread across a full floor of a building. It offers a living/dining room, 2-5 bedrooms, a kitchen, a staff quarter and often a balcony. It’s a popular and relatively affordable housing option.
Luxury Apartments: ‘Luxury’ in Delhi’s real estate jargon implies modern interior features, such as Italian marble flooring, designer kitchens, bathrooms with international quality fittings (often including a jacuzzi), elevators and power back-up.
Independent House / Villa / Bungalow: These are suitable homes for top-level management or diplomats who move to India with families. There is space for a private garden, a garage or two and large staff quarters. Living in an independent house is expensive and there is much reliance on domestic help and security services. There are very few Independent houses and bungalows left in the city today since most home owners prefer to convert them into multiple apartments.
Farm Houses: Spread over one to three acres of land, the Delhi farm house comes with large rooms and living spaces and often, a swimming pool/tennis courts on its sprawling grounds. Be warned of the downside: you will need full time house help including cleaners, gardeners, security services, expensive infrastructure (generators and voltage stabilizers) and independent transport, as farm houses tend to be on the city’s outskirts or in otherwise secluded areas. Overall, civic amenities even in these areas may be poor (as farm houses are built on agricultural land) but most modern-day farm houses have developed into clusters of gated communities for better security and facilities. Some popular ones in the southern and western parts of Delhi are West End Greens, Kapashera, DLF Chattarpur, Vasant Kunj, Sultanpur and Sainik Farms.
THE HOMES SEARCH PROCESS
First step is to ascertain your needs.
- Number of Bedrooms,
- Type of Apartment,
- Budget,
- Servant Room,
- Furnished, Unfurnished or Semi-Furnished,
- Distance from work and school,
- Landlord-free home,
- Individual parking space for your vehicle: The growing number of cars and finding a place to park them is one of Delhi’s biggest urban nightmares. It has also led to a host of other problems — traffic congestion, encroachments, no walking place, quarrels, and road rages.
- Comfortable access to a pre-school or hospital or fitness centre or local shops.
- Nearby playground, park in the neighborhood for children.
Classified Advertisements in newspapers and magazines provide a limited choice of residential accommodation, and real estate portals / websites often list wrong/outdated information.
Connect with your DSC (Destination Service Consultant) or a trusted realtor (Estate Agent, Broker) and draw up a list of needs, preferences and housing budget. Based on this, your DSC will interact with multiple listing agents and shortlist suitable options for you to visit. Once you have made a choice, your DSC will assist you in lease negotiations and contracts and also help you settle into your home and locality.
In Delhi, Realtors will charge you 15 days to 1-month rent as commission + 18% as GST.
Once you visited the apartments, select the one matching your requirements and do not hesitate to make an offer as the Delhi market moves really quickly.
Looking for a “Home” in Delhi?
Contact Rahul 91-9971212323 or share your requirements and budget with your brief profile at [email protected] so that we can advise you suitable options.
