Renting a property but confused between which one to choose- standalone or gated community? We through this guide will give a detailed description of the pros and cons of each property type, helping you make an informed decision.
What is a standalone property?
A standalone property is a property that is made of a single building. These are not attached to any other structure of buildings. It mostly doesn’t have amenities to go along with but these days owing to increase in people demand, some of the standalone buildings have basic amenities like a small gym and a swimming pool or a children play area to go along.
What is a gated community?
A residential area that is enclosed by walls and has many buildings in them form a gated community complex. A gated community complex is a well-planned complex that has a lot of open spaces and amenities. Some gated communities also have clinics and schools in their complex. These are expensive on rent as compared to standalone buildings because of the facilities that they provide. They are developed with an idea of providing the person staying- home owner or tenant with everything so that he doesn’t need to go out of the complex.
What works for you as a tenant- a standalone building or gated community? 8 factors to consider
When you set out to rent a property, first be clear if you want to move into a standalone building or a gated community. We list 8 factors that may help you decide.
1) Â Number of people to be staying in the house
There are various requirements for various people in the house. While a single person may opt for a standalone building with basically no amenities, a dink couple may evaluate between the standalone and gated community based on what they get in a gated community and if its value for the rent that they will be paying. On the other hand, a family with parents/ children or both will prefer a gated community as leisure activities for all age groups are taken care of in the building complex itself.
2) Â Location
Decide on what location should your place of residence be. Do you prefer something closer to the workplace or it can be a little far? Mostly, standalone buildings are near the city center because of the space that they occupy. As gated communities need much space, they are prevalent in the outskirts and developing areas of the city.
3) Â Budget
Evaluate the budget that you can set aside for paying the monthly rent. In addition to rent, you will have to pay an upfront security deposit and also half of the rental registration fees. Depending on the rental rates in the location that you have zeroed in on, you can take the decision.
4) Â Tenure for rent
While the general agreement for rent is signed for 11 months, you may want to stay for a longer period of time and this can be well considered and an agreement can be accordingly drafted and registered. Think about what will be convenient for you if you think of staying long-term on rent. Â
5) Â Connectivity and basic availability of facilities
Check on if the property that you are considering has good connectivity and access to all the facilities. If a gated community is located in a faraway developing area that doesn’t have good connectivity as yet, and a standalone building is located in a central area, then it’s a good idea to opt for the latter even if the facilities that come along are less.
6) Â Infrastructure around
Check for the infrastructure around and if it is really beneficial for you. For example, a gated community may be located next to a flyover or a railway station and would have constant noises of vehicles or the trains honking. See if this is ok with you given the convenience it offers or you are better off choosing a standalone building where you are not impacted by such noises.
7) Â Amenities that are included
Check out the amenities that are included in the property and evaluate what all are going to be useful for you. For instance if there is an elaborate children’s play park and your children have outgrown them or there is a state-of-art gym that you may not be using at all, then paying extra for these may not make sense for you
8) Â Are tenants allowed to use the amenities- any time in which they have to use it, tenant/ owner discrimination?
In case, you go with choosing on renting a gated community, know if the tenants are given freedom to use the amenities in the same way an owner is allowed. You should not be in a fix where the owner uses the amenities and has rented only the property to the tenant. In such a case, if the rent that is charged is not proportional, then it’s a raw deal that is better to pass off.
What are the advantages of renting in a standalone property over a house in a gated complex?
Lesser rent
Standalone properties command lesser rent as compared to a property in a gated community. This is because a standalone building comes only with the housing unit and no attached frills- there are fewer amenities or no amenities that they have.
Present in prime localities
These are mostly located in prime locations as the area that these are spread are far less than what a gated community may require.
More privacy
Because of its independent structure, the standalone property offers more privacy to tenants.
Resource sharing won’t be a problem
With fewer people in the building, there won’t be any problem in sharing resources in the building such as water, lift etc.
While initially standalone buildings would just be an independent house or a single building with many floors on them, today with increasing people demand, some buildings also have a small gym with basics in place, a small pool and a kids’ play area.
What are the disadvantages of renting in a standalone property over a house in a gated complex?
Less open spacesÂ
These offer less open spaces as part of the building structure.
Parking space may be a problem
Parking spaces may be available but may be restricted to one for every housing unit owing to space constraint, except in rare cases. Some standalone buildings do not even have parking spaces and people have to depend on public parking facilities.
No or few amenitiesÂ
If the building has no amenities then one has to depend on private amenities like gymkhanas or public parks, which may require moving out of the complex.
What are the advantages of renting in a gated community over a house in a standalone building?
Better security
A gated community has enhanced security as compared to a standalone building. These complexes provide security across layers such as use of guards posted at the complex entrance, fingerprint access, RFID tag access, use of apps to manage security and community living etc.
Lot of amenities
These have an array of amenities all in one place. For instance, in a gated community complex you may have multiple swimming pools across ages, Jacuzzi, Tennis courts, Table Tennis space, a mini theater, a banquet hall, a billiards table, an outdoor multipurpose playground, a pet park etc. Nowadays there are other facilities such as walking to a shopping mall through a gated community complex, a driveway that takes you from your complex to the opposite side without having to get stuck in traffic by way of opting for an underground route etc.
Disadvantages of gated community for rent
Commands more rent than standalone buildings
The rent charged in a gated community is more than what it is in a standalone building. This is because of the amenities that come along with it. If you have evaluated and will not be using even 40% of the amenities then paying a handsome rent for this is not a great idea.
Resource sharing may cause problems
The resources in a gated community are shared and the number of units is comparatively higher. This means during water shortage, there may frequent water cuts, low pressure on water, long waiting for lifts etc.
Comparison on rent
When you compare the rents of two housing units- both 3 BHK – the one in a standalone building in Seawoods commands a price of Rs 52,000 per month for an area of 1,000 sqft carpet and the one in a gated complex in Seawoods just opposite to it commands a price of Rs 90,000 for an area of 1,000 sqft carpet. Likewise, the cost of buying a standalone building is cheaper as compared to buying in a gated complex.
Housing.com POV
Standalone buildings and gated communities are both very popular property options. You have to evaluate the one that best fits your needs and is suitable monetarily while choosing to rent out one of the two. Also, remember while maintenance charges may not be paid by the tenant when you rent a property, these would most definitely be added to your rent. The gated community always commands higher maintenance charges over standalone buildings and this is something that you should consider too.
FAQs
Which option is better for retirees?
While it depends from person to person, gated communities are a better choice as they have better security. Also social options for senior citizens are better.
Is security better in gated communities?
Gated communities usually offer enhanced security while standalone buildings may depend on personal security who may or may not be very effective.
Who has a lower maintenance charge –standalone or gated community?
A standalone building has a lower maintenance charge as compared to a gated community.
Can a tenant customise a standalone building that he rents?
Customizing or making changes to a property is illegal unless you don’t get approval from the landlord.
Can you do notary as rent if you lease out your flat in a standalone building?
While this is a valid option, notary for rent is something that has to be avoided. Notary doesn’t hold ground when there is a legal issue to be dealt with.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
