Month: August 2025

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Top 5 Amenities to Look for When Renting a 1 BHK Flat Near You

Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a house, there are several key factors that determine whether it’s a smart choice. While location often takes the spotlight, don’t overlook the value of usable amenities that come with the project. Your daily routine isn’t just about returning to your flat, it’s about how you return. The convenience of parking, the sense of security for your family, and the uninterrupted access to water, electricity, and internet all play a vital role in your everyday comfort. Add to that the benefit of fitness and leisure facilities at your doorstep, and you start to see how amenities can truly elevate your living experience. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top 5 amenities to look for when you rent an apartment, ensuring your next move is not just a shift in address, but a step up in lifestyle.

Why Amenities Matter When Renting?

You’re not just signing a residential rental agreement for four walls and a roof. You’re signing up for a lifestyle. And the amenities that come with your flat can significantly impact your comfort, safety, and even monthly expenses.
  • Time savings – Imagine not having to drive across town for a gym session because your building has one. Or think about the convenience of high-speed internet already set up when you move in. These little things add up.
  • Money savings – Amenities like power backup and secure parking might seem standard, but without them, you’ll end up spending extra on alternatives—like buying an inverter or renting a parking space elsewhere.
  • Everyday comfort – The difference between a good home and a great one often lies in the small conveniences: stable Wi-Fi, water when you need it, lights that don’t flicker during a power cut, and peace of mind thanks to proper security.
So, when you’re comparing apartment rental agreements, don’t just skim through the square footage and floor plans. Look closely at what amenities are included.

Top 5 Amenities to Look for When You Rent an Apartment

1. Secure Parking Space

Street parking brings risks: damage, theft, fines. If you have a vehicle, a secure parking space is non-negotiable. What to check before signing your rent contract:
  • Is parking reserved or open?
  • Are there extra charges mentioned in the rental form?
  • Are there security cameras or guards monitoring the parking area?

2. 24/7 Water and Power Supply

No one wants to live with frequent power cuts or water shortages. It disrupts everything from morning routines to WFH setups. Things to watch out for:
  • Regular water rationing
  • Weak water pressure
  • No visible power backup systems
Before you finalize your apartment lease contract, ask current tenants about real-time issues.

3. Security & CCTV Surveillance

Your home should be your safe space, especially if you’re living alone. Look for:
  • Gated community with security guards
  • Visitor management system
  • CCTV coverage in all common areas
  • Intercoms and smart locks for added safety
Good security also boosts your peace of mind—worth more than a cheaper rent lease.

4. Fitness Facilities or Nearby Gym

Health-conscious living is a top trend among renters. Whether you work out regularly or occasionally, easy access to fitness is a game-changer. Ask your agent:
  • Is there a gym in the building?
  • Are there any tie-ups with local fitness centres?
  • What are the walking distances to the nearest gym or park?
If your apartment rental agreement includes this, it’s a win.

5. High-Speed Internet & Connectivity

In the era of work-from-home and online streaming, poor internet is a dealbreaker. How to check before you rent flat:
  • Confirm ISP tie-ups in the society
  • Test mobile network strength
  • Ask tenants about broadband speed and reliability
Don’t get locked into a housing lease agreement with weak digital connectivity.

How to Pick Flat Amenities

Understand What Apartment Amenities Are

Amenities go beyond the basic essentials like running water, electricity, and a simple layout. These are features that enhance convenience, comfort, or lifestyle like a rooftop garden or in-unit smart home devices. They’re not required, but they significantly elevate your living experience.

Top Good-to-Have Amenities

  • Outdoor/Community Amenities: Fitness center, parking, swimming pools, spa, billiards, package lockers, playgrounds, walking paths, pet-friendly spaces, valet trash, CCTV surveillance, green landscape, building Wi-Fi, clubhouse, party rooms, rooftop gardens, and social zones.
  • Indoor/In-Unit Amenities: In-unit washer and dryer, dishwasher, premium fixtures, central AC/heating, balcony, smart-home tech, security systems, intercoms, large bathtubs, complimentary Wi-Fi, and online rent payment options.

Choose Amenities Based on Your Lifestyle Needs

  • What amenities do you currently use, and what are you missing?
  • Do you need a grocery store inside the complex, or are nearby stores sufficient?
  • Is the property’s location worth the distance when balanced against better amenities?
  • Got family? Involving them in the decision gives broader perspective and consensus.

Which Building Amenities Are Worth Splurging On?

Worth the investment:
  • 24/7 security systems for peace of mind
  • Elevators, especially in multi-storey buildings
  • Swimming pools as a leisure and wellness perk
Can potentially skip:
  • On-site gyms (if there’s a public park or gym nearby)
  • Clubhouses (if community spaces are available nearby)

Looking for a 1 BHK with the Perfect Amenities?

Explore verified, well-equipped rental listings on BeyondWalls.com and sign your next apartment lease agreement with confidence.
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Buying a Flat in 2025? Here’s How GST Will Affect the Price

Buying a home in 2025 means juggling many numbers—loan amounts, EMIs, stamp duty, registration fees, and, if the property is under construction, Goods and Services Tax (GST). It’s easy to underestimate how much this one tax can shape your overall cost. While GST on real estate has been around for years, the way this property tax applies to residential purchases today still catches buyers off guard.

If you’re in the market for a home this year, understanding the GST rules is essential. This guide breaks down the tax rates, clarifies where GST fits into the transaction, and highlight the property check every buyer should make before signing an agreement.

GST Rate Table for Residential Property – 2025

Property Type GST Rate ITC Available? Applicability
Affordable housing (under CLSS or new) 1% No Under-construction, incl. CLSS projects
Other under-construction residential property 5% No Flats, apartments, bungalows under development
CLSS housing (booked before 2019) 8% Yes Select ongoing projects under earlier GST regime
Works contracts (general) 18% Yes Developer/contractor services

Note: GST does not apply to resale property, land-only deals, or ready-to-move-in homes that already have an occupancy or completion certificate.

Why GST Still Matters

GST is a crucial part of the buying process. Yet it still influences the way developers price homes and how buyers plan their budgets. The clarity of having a single, upfront rate for under-construction properties is valuable. Before GST, buyers dealt with a patchwork of VAT, Service Tax, LBT, Octroi, and other state or local levies, often applied at different project stages.

Today, the lower 1% rate for affordable housing continues to be a powerful push for budget-conscious buyers and a reason developers keep launching projects in this segment. The 5% rate for other under-construction homes is higher but still simpler to calculate than the old system.

It’s important to note that GST reform hasn’t replaced every cost. Stamp duty rates and registration fees remain separate, determined by state governments. This means your “tax” on a home purchase isn’t just GST—you need to think about both GST and state charges when comparing properties.

How GST Applies in Real Homes

Under Construction Homes

If the property doesn’t yet have a completion certificate, GST applies. Affordable homes (those priced at ₹45 lakh or below and within the government’s size limits) are taxed at 1% without input tax credit. All other under-construction residential units are taxed at 5%, also without ITC.

For example, on a ₹50 lakh flat in an ongoing project (non-affordable category), GST at 5% means an additional ₹2.5 lakh on top of the base price—before factoring in stamp duty or registration.

Luxury Segments

Luxury properties have seen one of the biggest changes since the earlier GST structure. A ₹7,000 per sq ft home used to be taxed at 12%, significantly raising the buyer’s outlay. Now the rate is 5%. That’s a saving of ₹490 per sq ft. On a 1,000 sq ft apartment, the GST portion alone is ₹4.9 lakh less than before.

Works Contract Services and Add-Ons

GST doesn’t only apply to the main property cost. It’s also charged at 18% on certain services and extras billed by developers or contractors. These include:

  • Fit-outs and interiors offered as part of the deal
  • Clubhouse or amenity packages
  • Landscaping services
  • Parking facility charges, if billed separately

It’s easy to overlook these, but for large-ticket add-ons, the GST amount can be substantial.

What GST Doesn’t Cover

One of the most common buyer misconceptions is that GST replaced stamp duty and registration fees. It hasn’t. Those remain state-level charges and are calculated on the property’s agreement value.

  • Stamp duty: Usually between 5-10% of the property’s value, varying by state and occasionally by the gender of the buyer or other factors.
  • Registration fee: Typically 1% of the property value or a fixed sum set by the state.

These charges don’t come under the GST framework and are to be paid regardless of whether the property is under construction or ready to move in.

Buyer Tax Checklist – GST-Focused

Before committing to a purchase, run through these GST-related checks:

  1. Check the completion certificate status. If it’s issued, GST doesn’t apply.
  2. Confirm affordable housing classification. This requires both a price cap (₹45 lakh or less) and a size limit (up to 60 sq m carpet area in metros, 90 sq m in non-metros).
  3. Request a clear price breakdown. Ensure the GST portion is shown separately in the cost sheet or invoice.
  4. Ask about CLSS eligibility and rates. For older projects under the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme, the earlier 8% with ITC may still apply.
  5. Budget for non-GST charges. Include stamp duty, legal fees, parking, and any one-time maintenance deposits.
  6. Insist on GST-compliant invoices. This ensures transparency and prevents double taxation.

Tips for Smarter Planning

  • Timing the purchase: Some buyers wait until the project is close to completion to avoid GST altogether. This can work, but be prepared for higher per sq ft rates as possession nears.
  • Check the project’s GST regime: For developments launched before April 2019, ask if the builder opted to stay with the old 8%/12% rates (with ITC) or moved to the new 1%/5% system.
  • Account for GST on services: It’s not just the price of property—charges for parking, clubhouse, brokerage, or legal work may all have GST applied. These can meaningfully change your cash flow at closing.

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1 – Affordable Housing Unit

  • Property Price: ₹40 lakh
  • GST Rate: 1% = ₹40,000
  • Stamp Duty (State Avg 6%): ₹2.4 lakh
  • Registration Fee (1%): ₹40,000
  • Total tax and registration outlay: ₹2.88 lakh + GST ₹40,000 = ₹3.28 lakh

Scenario 2 – Non-Affordable Under-Construction Unit

  • Property Price: ₹75 lakh
  • GST Rate: 5% = ₹3.75 lakh
  • Stamp Duty (6%): ₹4.5 lakh
  • Registration Fee (1%): ₹75,000
  • Total additional cost: ₹8.25 lakh before other expenses

These numbers show why GST awareness is essential—not just for budgeting, but for comparing projects on a true like-for-like basis.

How to Approach Developers About GST

When discussing GST with a developer, keep the conversation focused and factual:

  • Ask for the exact GST rate they are applying and on what amount it is calculated.
  • Clarify whether all extras (parking, floor rise, club membership) are GST-inclusive or GST will be added separately.
  • Request written confirmation of the GST calculation method in the agreement.

Conclusion

GST has simplified tax calculation on residential property purchases, but it hasn’t removed every complexity. Knowing when it applies, which rate you fall under, and what it doesn’t cover can help you avoid surprises at payment time. In 2025, the biggest advantage for buyers is transparency—if you take the time to ask the right questions and read the fine print.

The decision between an under-construction and a ready-to-move-in property isn’t just about possession timelines—it’s also a tax decision. Understanding how GST fits into the bigger picture of home buying costs can make your purchase both financially and strategically sound.

Looking for your next home?

Use BeyondWalls’ property records to search and compare projects across Pune. Get free first loan and financial consultation and plan your purchase with confidence.