Boost for affordable housing, rental market

Despite the growing demand for rental houses from working millenials and entry by few new-age start-ups in building student housing or co-living spaces, there has been lack of clarity on rules and regulations related to rental housing.

The government will introduce a new model tenancy law to boost the fragmented rental housing market and has proposed further tax incentives in line with its continued effort to achieve the ‘Housing for All’ target by 2022, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her maiden Union Budget speech.

The move by the government is likely to help streamline and boost India’s rental market, which is estimated to be around $20 billion, as per the International Monetary Fund. (PTI File Photo)

“Current rental laws are archaic and do not address the relationship between the lessor and the lessee realistically and fairly,” Sitharaman said. However, she has not provided details on the proposed reforms and the new tenancy law.

Despite the growing demand for rental houses from working millenials and entry by few new-age start-ups in building student housing or co-living spaces, there has been lack of clarity on rules and regulations related to rental housing.

The move by the government is likely to help streamline and boost India’s rental market, which is estimated to be around $20 billion, as per the International Monetary Fund. While urban areas account $13.5 billion, around $0.8 billion comes from rural areas.

“The new model tenancy is expected to balance the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants that will make the market more efficient,” said Megha Maan, senior associate director, research, at Colliers International India.

Under the ‘Housing for All by 2022’ mission, the government aims to build 19.5 million houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) scheme. “A total of 1.54 crore rural homes have been completed in the last five years.,” Sitharaman said.

“Large public infrastructure can be built on land parcels held by central ministries and central public sector enterprises. Through an innovative instrument such as joint development and concession, public infrastructure and affordable housing would be taken up,” she said.

The government has also provided further incentives to drive affordable housing.

It has proposed interest deduction up to ₹3.5 lakh for affordable housing priced below ₹45 lakh as against ₹2 lakh earlier for loans availed until March 31, 2020.

This can help attract first-time homebuyers, besides stimulating demand for low-cost housing, said Anuj Puri, chairman, Anarock Property Consultants Ltd.

“Laying down a roadmap for Rental Housing is a step in the right direction to align with global trends of co-living spaces, given the changing demographics in the country. The increased thrust on education is likely to boost the student housing asset class,” said Bhairav Dalal, partner and leader, real estate tax, PwC India, a consulting firm.