India Real Estate Dictionary

Projecting platform attached to the outer wall of a building. Under RERA, balcony area is separately disclosed and typically included in built-up area but not carpet area.

Below-ground floor of a building. Approved use varies by state authority — some allow parking/storage only; others permit retail or other uses. Must be checked in approved plans.

Bedroom-Hall-Kitchen — common shorthand for apartment configuration. 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK, 4 BHK etc. The hall typically refers to the living/dining area combination.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike — municipal corporation of Bengaluru, Karnataka. Responsible for building plan approvals, property tax, and urban development within Bengaluru.

Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority — the planning and development authority for Bengaluru metropolitan region. Issues layout and project approvals.

Property transaction where actual beneficial owner is different from the person in whose name property is held. Prohibited under Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act 1988 as amended. Agents must not facilitate benami deals.

An individual floor in a 3–4 storey building, sold separately. Common in Delhi, NCR, and Chandigarh Tricity. Land ownership typically shared. RERA applicability depends on project size.

Carpet area plus the area covered by walls (inner + outer) and balcony. Larger than carpet area. Under RERA, pricing must be on carpet area — not built-up area.

Under RERA, a person who has entered into an agreement with a promoter for purchase of real estate. Also called allottee. Has specific rights under RERA including refund, interest, and information rights.

Initial sum paid by buyer to developer to reserve a specific unit. Typically 10–15% of total cost. Constitutes the beginning of the builder-buyer relationship. Refundable if project does not proceed.

Wall forming the perimeter of a property or plot. Its existence, condition, and legal alignment with plot boundaries should be verified during site visit.

Government scheme allowing unauthorized constructions to be regularized upon payment of penalty and compliance with specified conditions. Available in various states at different times.

Architectural drawing approved by competent authority showing layout, dimensions, number of floors, and permitted use of a building. Must be verified against actual construction.

In property investment, the point at which rental income equals all ownership costs (EMI, maintenance, taxes, insurance). Important for investor buyers.