At a juncture when both capital and rental values of residential property in Mumbai are touching skies, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authoritys (MMRDAs) announcement for building five lakh low-cost houses brings in a ray of hope for those dreaming for their own house in the fairyland.
Residential rentals in Mumbai have been escalating for the past several years due to limited availability and soaring demand, and most of the tenants wished if they could buy a house and replace the rental payments with loan installment. However, this wish was hardly fulfilled with the kind of price range Mumbai properties have been carrying.
Consider this, some few months back, 2 BHK apartment units in Cuffe Parade (South Mumbai) were being leased out for Rs 45,000 to Rs 80,000 per month. But today, the same size apartment in the same area on rent will easily cost a sizeable Rs 1.25 lakh a month.
Rental rates are soaring in others areas as well. For instance, in Bandra 2 BHK apartment now comes with a price of Rs 90,000 per month, a few months back the same property was valued for Rs 25,000-Rs 40,000 a month. Besides the rentals in Vashi, a middle-class locality in Navi Mumbai has also gone up to Rs 20,000 per month as compared to Rs 12,000 per month, two years ago for a 2 BHK apartment flat. Even semi furnished apartments down the much desired Palm Beach Road are available for as much as Rs 18,000 per month.
Though the prices are increasing day by day, not many transactions are taking place. There is a lot of demand but sky rocketing property prices are deferring the buyers from having a home in Mumbai at present, say MK Shah, Mumbai Real Estate agent.
In the course of all this governments announcement to build five lakh affordable housing units in the city has bought some respite to the prospective buyers. These houses will be made available on rent for people from middle and lower-income groups. The project is likely to come up in the next five years. MMRDA believes that the move will help bring down the cost of housing in Mumbai, media reports.
