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Real Estate 101 – A to Z about Fit-out Period in India

When it comes to a lease agreement in India, there are some general clauses in a contract to a lease or a lease deed. These provisions are commonly connected to the term of the lease, right to renew the lease, rent-free period, payment of the lease rent, security deposit, covenants of the parties, termination & penalties of termination of the lease, indemnity provisions, force majeure events, and several other miscellaneous clauses. 

What is the Fit-Out Period? 

The fit-out period in real estate India is essentially a rent-free period that is mutually approved by both the relevant parties in which the lessee is not liable to pay the rent and the time span is used to facilitate the lessee to set up important equipment for them to use the property for the intended reason. The fit-out period in India is generally agreed upon by the parries and may span from 3 months to 1 year, contingent upon the requirements of both the lessee and the lessor. 

The fitout period might be lengthened if both parties determine it to be necessary. Similarly, the maximum time duration for extension of the fitout period for office space in Mumbai would probably be agreed upon by the concerned parties. 

When it comes to commercial spaces, fit-out plays a significant role as the lessor/developer is needed to improve upon the basic structure and hand the same over to the lessee for them to begin fit-outs. Both parties might decide that upon the termination of the lease, the fit-out may be eliminated by both the lessee and the lessor. 

Advantages of Fit-Out Period 

Saves Time & Money

Your firm will gain a lot in terms of time when shifting into a building that had a fit-out completed. You will not have to worry about any delay while finishing your own fit-out, thereby letting your business get started immediately. You will also be able to save a lot of money as the fit-out will enable you to not pay for the office fit-out yourself. That can be a pricey procedure.

Flexible Lease

A lease for commercial space which has the fit-out already conducted by the landlord can imply a more flexible lease for the tenant. For example, a lease duration of 1-3 years is not considered to be unusual for a space that already had the fit-out completed. If the lessee leases an empty space and then finishes the fitout themselves, it’s rare that the lease period would be lesser than 3 years. 

In a nutshell, a fit-out period can benefit tenants looking for office space in the commercial real estate market in India. 

CRE Matrix is a leading real estate data analytics firm India that allows you access to crucial leasing data of a number of companies across industries. It lets you view the fit-out period, rent-free period, and security deposit details of many firms that can give you an idea about the market condition. 

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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3 Reasons Why Startups are Leading the Demand in Increased Office Space in India

In India, the startup culture has been around for decades but has witnessed massive growth in the last decade. According to the joint study ‘Startups Scale Up’ by CRE Matrix and Colliers India, startups in this country have generated 6.6 lakh direct jobs and 34 lakh indirect jobs in the last decade. Overall, the startup landscape is growing with more depth and has bigger corporate participation. 

From the perspective of the commercial real estate sector India, startups have slowly but surely become a major force to be reckoned with. As per the report, Startups in India have demonstrated the demand for increased office space in 2021. The rise in office space from startups is only witnessing more traction in metro cities but also in non-metro cities as well. 

Let’s look at some of the reasons why startups are leading the demand in increased office space in India:

Key Government Incentives for Startups 

As per the report, 

  • The government has allotted 10,000 crore INR to provide capital to startups, via funds of funds scheme. 
  • 283 crore INR has been allocated to Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
  • Income Tax is waived for about three out of ten years from the date of incorporation 
  • Extra focus on digitization and fintech in budget 2022 can drive a boost to startups. 
  • Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLCS) is applicable till March 2023. Under this policy, emergency loan facilities are to be delivered to businesses that have been afflicted during the pandemic. 

Preference for Collaborative Work Environment 

Startups have demonstrated a preference for collaborative and flexible work culture. A friendly, collaborative and creative workspace is usually believed to be the norm in a young startup’s (1-3 years) culture. Generally, there is a high preference for fully-managed commercial space India and flex spaces owing to lower capex and flexible lease terms. 

As startups become more prevalent and expand their services, their reach has also increased, leading to preferring quality Grade A buildings with enhanced wellness standards. A preference for a collaborative, flexible and hospitable work environment is one of the factors contributing to the popularity of startups that has led to the rise in the demand for office space. 

Pandemic Led to Increased Demand for Office Space 

COVID-19 witnessed reverse migration, with more and more people returning to their hometowns. This led to more opportunities for newer startups to emerge and step up as well as the chance to solve local challenges. Availability of talent, stronger & deeper internet reach and lower cost of living has made a powerful case for non-metro cities. According to the report, approximately, 40% of the new startups that were launched in 2021 were observed from non-metro cities. This suggests the rise in popularity of startups in non-metro cities. 

In a nutshell, these are some of the reasons why startups have been leading the demand for increased office space in the commercial real estate sector India. 

Visit CRE Matrix, a prominent real estate data analytics company in India that offers various tools and resources to check crucial real estate data with regard to companies and brands across industries. 

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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Co-Working in India: A Growing Trend in Smaller Cities

There was a time when small businesses used to pay rents for the entire premises to conduct their business. Now, start-ups and individual business owners can rent a desk in a co-working space instead of paying for the complete space. Currently, this trend is not simply limited to the metro cities of the country, as start-ups of small Indian cities are also observed using such office space for growing their businesses. 

Nowadays, Tier II and III cities of India are witnessing a massive rise in the number of startup businesses. It is believed that the need for startup office space is also surging in smaller cities. For this reason, now co-working spaces have become extremely popular in these cities. 

In this blog article, we will discuss coworking meaning and how it has become a growing trend in smaller cities of India:

What is Coworking? 

Coworking in India is an arrangement in which employees or different companies or even freelance individuals share an office space, thereby saving cost and convenience by using common infrastructures like equipment, utilities, receptionist and custodial services, and in specific cases refreshments and parcel acceptance services. 

This concept is beneficial to independent contractors, freelancers, independent scientists, remote workers, and so forth. Moreover, co-working assists workers to avert the feeling of social isolation they may experience while working remotely or if they are in transit. This is a great way to remove distractions and focus on your work completely. The majority of co-working spaces charge membership dues. 

Changing Startup Culture in Smaller Cities 

Even though metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru demonstrate a dynamic startup culture, the Indian innovation landscape isn’t restricted to them. Startups in smaller cities have begun to make significant differences these days and have made strong strides to establish themselves in the country. 

Currently, startups are established in cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, and Jaipur, amongst others. This is due to the infrastructure support, local investor confidence, state government amenities, and the availability of talent. With the growing development of the Indian metro, startups are rapidly increasing across smaller cities alongside bigger ones. 

Surge in Requirement for Coworking Space in Smaller Cities 

Since innovation is increasing and growing across India, the availability of shared workspaces is also needed. Startup culture has slowly but surely become popular in Tier 2 and 3 cities. These office spaces also offer young talent and startups a solid platform for growing irrespective of where belong to.

With time, rental rates are also surging a lot. This is why it’s difficult for a small startup business to sustain itself on its own. It’s extremely expensive for a company of any size to lease a traditional workplace in an urban area. The condition is far worse for individuals and startups that are looking to establish but are apprehensive about the cash flow. 

To lease out a traditional workplace, you will need to determine a fixed initial capital that integrates advance maintenance fees, refundable money, and other expenses for mandatory entities such as setting up electrical fittings, gadgets, office furniture, and so forth. In order to curtail costs and the rise of startups, it has led to the concept of coworking in Ahmedabad or coworking in Pune. 

CRE Matrix is India’s leading real estate data analytics company India. It offers accurate and authentic data on co-working spaces that can help in competitive analysis.

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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Real Estate 101 – A to Z about the 99-year Lease Concept in India

In the Indian real estate sector, the concept of ‘freehold property’ and ‘leasehold property’ are a couple of the common jargon that one usually comes across regularly. When it comes to freehold property, the development authorities use the auction to sell the land to the developer. The property was constructed for such land and belongs to the owner for an unspecified amount of time. As for leasehold property, the developer can acquire the property via a lease for 30 to 99 years, from the time the construction commences. 

What is the 99-Year Lease Concept?

The landowner allows the land for lease for 99 years which commences from the date the allotment was conducted. The developer will have to abide by the specific terms and conditions of the government and the landowner for the lease. The developer is allowed to construct the property and put it up for sale. The buyer will be the owner for 99 years after which the landowner can assert ownership of the land again. The landowner is also given some ground rent which has been approved by both parties. 

The property owner can look at extending the lease by the lease renewal at the end of the term. The leasehold property can also be turned into freehold property by paying the fee for it. Moreover, it is also possible for property owners to purchase another lease when the original lease ends or even extend it to 999 years. 

Other than India, the concept of the lease being 99 years is also a globally-accepted concept. As per the conventional American common law, it is a subjective period to encompass the life expectancy of any lessee or lessor and safeguard the property ownership of the lessor. Moreover, the duration of 99 years is believed to include not one but three generations. 

Pointers about 99-Year Concept 

  • Numerous authorities provide land to develop apartment projects but only on a leasehold basis.
  • It is possible to lengthen the lease duration to 999 years by paying a fee. 
  • On buying a leasehold property, the home buyers need to verify whether the seller has been provided with a transfer memorandum from the local development authority. 
  • Developers choose to erect flats on leasehold lands since the expenses of such parcels are lesser when compared to freehold lands. 
  • Banks do not favor funding the purchase of a leasehold property, particularly when the remaining lease duration is lesser than 30 years. The value of such properties also drops down as the end of the lease period looms ahead.
  • The main benefit of buying a leasehold property is the rate, which is usually lower than properties that were constructed on freehold land. 

CRE Matrix is India’s leading real estate data analytics company in India. The firm offers significant crucial data in the commercial and residential real estate arena through its various tools and resources. 

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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3 Factors to Consider While Leasing Commercial Property in India

Before you negotiate a commercial lease, it is essential to assess your business requirements. Moreover, it is also crucial to decide your budget and preferred location. 

What is a commercial lease? It is one of the most significant elements required for a business to thrive and prosper. Since rent remains an important hidden expense, it is vital to negotiate a decent commercial contract that drives your business development in the long term. 

A well-negotiated commercial lease will enable you to avert any issues or at least put you in a fantastic position. In general, any kind of investment in real estate is dicey. This kind of investment in commercial real estate needs to be conducted with thorough research and study to avert any foul game. 

Here are a couple of factors that need to be kept in mind while leasing commercial property India. 

Conduct a Thorough Research 

It is extremely vital to conduct thorough research before finalizing the location. Be sure to take a look at as many properties as you can, and be open to exploring multiple premises. The correct space in your business can be a make-or-ruin scenario so you want to make sure you take as much time as possible to conduct it effectively. 

Don’t compromise for a lesser-quality building. Moreover, it is extremely significant to choose a commercial property in India to lease where there are numerous major landmarks, and obviously, where your customers can connect with you easily. 

Period of Lease

Before you commit to leasing commercial space Mumbai, you must take care to find out the period of the lease you require. When you begin a business, it’s tough to estimate how it will perform. With a long-term business, however, you can commit to a 5-year lease settlement as you’ve got the price range to pay for the lease. You don’t want to get stuck in a long-time lease when you’re commercial business isn’t always dependable. A brief lease comes with its own benefits as you can move to another facility when you feel your business requires it. 

Review the Lease Agreement 

It is extremely vital to review your leasing contract before you commit to leasing office space in India. Your task as a prospective tenant is to review the lease agreement completely and request changes that will be suitable for your business. 

It is critical for both the tenant and the landlord to clearly describe the location and the accurate square footage of the premises. The tenant needs to also make sure that the landlord has the legal authority to enforce the lease, and has all the important documents in place, including the registration certificates and property tax receipts. One must take extra precautions to make sure that there is no ambiguity in this respect. 

In a nutshell, these are some of the parameters that you need to keep in mind before signing a lease for office space in the commercial real estate sector in India. 

CRE Matrix is India’s leading real estate data analytics company in India, which can provide you with critical lease-related details about various firms across industries that can help you make informed decisions about your business. 

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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3 Ways in Which a Lease could be Terminated

In India, the landlord-tenant association is regarded as a jural relationship and is regulated by the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Act). When it comes to a landlord/tenant connection, the parties are typically observed as a lessor (landlord) and lessee (tenant). The contract under which the landlord-tenant relationship is tied is a lease agreement. 

A real estate lease contract is a binding agreement between you and your landlord. Thus, if you feel the need to prematurely terminate your lease, there will be consequences – legally and financially. There are many reasons that can be used to end a lease, but the majority of them will not offer you legal relief from your landlord. 

Occasionally, after signing a rental agreement or lease, a tenant may feel the need to leave the rental unit prematurely for several reasons. In the same way, a landlord can terminate the lease under specific circumstances. It is vital to adhere to state laws, as well as specifications that are listed within the lease, for delivering notice of intent to end a lease. 

Usually, lease termination in India can happen for a variety of reasons and by both the parties – landlord and tenant 

Termination of Lease by Tenant 

Since a lease is bound by an agreement, tenants have to adhere to the length of the tenure specified. This means that they are accountable for paying the rent stated during the duration of the lease. There are exceptions to this rule, especially if the landlord breaks or violates the lease. 

If the landlord breaches the terms of the lease, particularly health and safety codes, the tenant may be able to leave without giving notice or providing less notice than needed. In case there is a natural disaster or significant impairment to the property, it prevents the tenant from continuing to stay in the rental unit. However, if the tenant violates a lease without a legally protected reason, the landlord is entitled to sue for damages.

Termination of Lease by Landlord 

A landlord is able to legally end a lease if the tenant violates the terms of the lease or has broken the law. The violation by the tenant needs to be significant like late rent or having a pet despite the rule stating ‘no pets allowed on the premises. Other violations of the law, like selling drugs on the premises also justify the landlord’s decision to terminate the lease. 

The landlord needs to first dispatch a termination notice to the tenant, thereby making it clear that the tenancy has ended. The tenant may be offered time to amend the violation, by paying outstanding rent, for instance. There will be a notice that declares that the tenant needs to move out of the premises or risk eviction. 

Issues Pertaining to Security Deposit 

Generally, the landlords have about two weeks to one month to give back the tenant’s security deposit amount after the lessee vacates the rental premises. Landlords may subtract from the tenant’s security deposit for legitimate reasons. Deductions need to be shown in a written document and itemized, and the payment needs to be refunded for any deposit balance. It is vital to check with the landlord if the deductions are not accurate. Any agreement reaches needs to be logged in writing. 

In a nutshell, there are many ways in which a termination of a lease agreement India can happen. If you wish to know the leasing status of many companies across the country, check out CRE Matrix and its many tools for it is the leading real estate data analytics company India.

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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7 Crucial Points to Keep in Mind before Signing a Rental Agreement

Renting a home in India can be quite complicated because of the research and the planning required. If you wish to rent a home in India, it is extremely vital that you’re aware of what to look for prior to signing a rental contract. 

There are numerous elements that can be included in a rental agreement, and not all of them are beneficial to the tenant. In this article, we will talk about some of the most vital things you need to check before signing a rental agreement in India. 

What the Rent Includes

You need to thoroughly check the rental contract. Generally, the monthly rental amount typically comprises utilities such as electricity, water, and gas. However, be sure to check if it also contains maintenance charges and property taxes. 

Kinds of Tenancy

There are two kinds of tenancy agreements in India – the leave & license agreement and the lease agreement. A leave & license agreement consists of a duration of 11 months, after which it can be renewed. A lease agreement has the lease tenure for up to at least 12 months and can be renewed once the term is over. 

Notice Period & Penalty

If you’re looking at homes for rent India, one of the most important things to look at would be the notice period and penalty. The majority of the rental agreements have a minimum notice period of 30 days (one month). If you wish to leave earlier, make sure to check if there is a clause that talks about an early exit fee. Generally, one month’s rent would be charged as a penalty. 

Rent & Deposit

It is important to check the monthly rent amount. Ensure that the rent is budget-friendly for you and that it is light in your pocket. It is also imperative that you check the amount for the security deposit. This is generally one month’s rent but it can change depending on the landlord the agreement can differ depending on the landlord. The contract will state the monthly rental amount and the security deposit. Be sure the rental amount is aligned with the relevant market rates. 

Register the Rental Agreement 

Once you have signed the rental contract, ensure that it does get registered at the office of the sub-registrar. The fees for the registration are generally around 0.25% to 0.50% of the entire sum of the agreement. 

Check for Lock-In Period 

The majority of the contracts have a lock-in period of approximately 3 years. This means that you cannot exit the property before this period is over. 

Duration of Rent 

When you’re looking at available flats for rent in Mumbai, it is imperative to look for the length of the lease in the rental contract. The tenure of the lease is generally around 11 months, after which it can be renewed. Be sure to check if there are any clauses that state an escalation in the rent after the initial first year. Make sure to enquire about it before you sign anything. 

If you wish to know more about the various residential projects by a number of developers across India, then subscribe to CRE Matrix, a leading real estate data analytics company in India, as they can offer several tools to facilitate this. 

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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Real Estate 101 – A to Z about the Lock-In Period in a Leasing Contract

Commercial properties such as office buildings or warehouses can be observed as excellent investments. This is because they deliver high yields, are reliable, and escalate over time. It is well-known that location affects the value of a property. If it’s a commercial property with a high degree of accessibility, it is natural for the asset to make a high rent. An important but usually ignored part of CRE investments is generally the lease and lock-in periods. 

What is a lock-in period? 

Lock-in periods belong to a part of the lease contract. The significant bit is – while landlords are tied by the lease duration, lessees are bound by the lock-in period. If a property has a lease term of 9 years and a lock-in period of 3 years, the tenant needs to continue staying in the space for 3 years or pay the rent for the lock-in period if they choose to shift basis. 

Why is a lock-in period significant? 

A clause with the lock-in period in leasing agreement India is extremely important because it makes sure your returns are steady and guards your investment against struggling. Even if the lessee decides to abort the ship or the market conditions go bad for some reason (a pandemic, for instance), a decent lock-in period can be a saving grace in this scenario. It gives you more time to look for a new tenant or wait for the market to bounce back while still providing you with a return on your investment. 

So, what’s a ‘good’ lock-in period? 

In commercial real estate, the lock-in period in leasing can change from 3 years to anything like 9 years. That’s a substantial range and it generally comes down to the kind of asset and tenant in question. For instance: Firms that are into manufacturing need an industrial space that they can personalize to the last bit. They seek out longer lock-in durations (occasionally 15 years or more), since their work floor is regarded as the most stable portion of their business. 

White-collar companies require offices. They need desks, chairs, and some computers, and their necessities are met. This is why these companies want lock-in periods that are on the shorter end of the spectrum (lesser than 5 years). When it comes to warehousing, the lock-in periods typically tend to remain within 5-9 years. 

When you’re deciding to invest in commercial real estate, do keep in mind the type of property and the lock-in period it has, irrespective of the tenant. If the period is too less (e.g. lesser than 3 years), the tenant might not consider sticking around. If you’re not able to renegotiate for a longer lock-in with the tenant, it is best not to go for the property.

On the other hand, if the lock-in is too long, you have to pay the rent that’s lower compared to the market average, which is still fine as long as you are making stable returns. Several other intricate details need to be taken into consideration when you’re deciding to invest in a commercial space in India. 

CRE Matrix is a leading company that offers real estate data analytics India. It offers elaborate details about the leasing status of numerous businesses across the industry. You can take a look at what their leasing agreement entails including the lock-in period clauses of those contracts. 

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.

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4 Things You Need to Know Before Signing a Contract for Leasing Commercial Space

Signing a lease is a significant milestone for a new business owner. Whether you’re launching a store or shifting to a new office space or leasing out facilities for production. At some point, you’re most likely going to have to set aside some space for your business. 

Once you have zeroed in on the space, signing the agreement often feels like the final step before you can shift in and concentrate on running your business. But similar to the majority of other legal agreements, a business lease is a vital piece of document that needs thorough research. 

The fine print in a commercial lease is extremely imperative. There are two basic steps that need to be followed prior to signing a lease: 1) Conduct a thorough search and 2) Need to know of general statutes that are included in business leases. 

Once the basic pricing and term structures have been established, it’s time to understand some of the less-obvious details. Here are a couple of things a business owner needs to be aware of before signing a leasing contract India:

Transfer Structure: Determine how your lease will get transferred if you wish to leave the space or your business shuts down. Typically, there are two structures for transferring a lease: assignment of the lease and subletting. 

Assignment of the lease refers to the fact that the complete lease is reassigned to a new tenant. Subletting happens when an existing tenant keeps their name on the lease but is given payment from the new tenant and then pays that money to the landlord. 

In both scenarios, you generally have to specify prior written consent before transferring the lease in the leasing agreement.

Personal Exposure: In a few cases, you may be needed to sign personal guarantees when you are leasing commercial space India. These contracts mean you’re personally on the hook for features of the lease even if your business defaults. Get legal counsel to negotiate this part of your agreement. If possible, you would only want your entity or legal business to take on the gamble when you’re signing a business lease. 

Holdover Rent: It essentially refers to a rent increase when the tenant continues to stay even after the lease has ended. For leasing office space Mumbai, a number of agreements, have a clause where it’s stated that, in these scenarios, businesses are accountable for up to 250% of their standard rent payment on a monthly basis. So, if you stay beyond your allotted time, it could cost you a lot of money. 

Non-disturbance Agreement: In numerous cases, if the landlord is not able to pay the mortgage on the property, the business will still be evicted, even if their making all of your payments, With a non-disturbance agreement, if this happens, you will be allowed to stay and continue paying whatever entity has seized control of the building from your landlord. 

In a nutshell, these are the five things you need to be aware of before you sign a lease agreement. Check out CRE Matrix, a leading real estate data analytics company India, which allows you to take a sneak peek at the lease agreement status and other details of numerous businesses across the country. 

Visit CRE Matrix for more such exciting analysis and details on real estate.

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How to Apply for Loan to Buy Commercial Property in India

Getting a loan for commercial office space is not the same as acquiring loans for a residential property. Several businesses seek to get a loan for office space but do not know how to go about it. Acquiring a loan for a home is more popular, better, and more extensively given by banks and financial institutions. On the other hand, acquiring a loan for commercial space is difficult and the know-how of people in this regard is also rather restricted. 

People tend to get overwhelmed when it comes to applying for loan for commercial property purchase India. Even if they are aware of the minute details of home loan application procedures, they seem to find funding office space or commercial units tough. Commercial real estate transactions can be either for office spaces or maybe even retail outlets like stores or shops. They could be ready to occupy or under construction. 

Banks tend to be extra wary in granting loans for commercial property purchases. They are overly cautious commercial spaces that are currently being constructed. So, it is recommended that prior to applying for a loan, always check with your bank about the financing criteria and other requirements. 

Here is a guide with all the details that investors need to keep in mind before applying for a loan for commercial property purchase. 

First, you need to be eligible for applying for commercial real estate loans. Eligible applicants comprise both salaried and self-employed professionals. The latter category contains doctors, architects, engineers, chartered accountants, and lawyers. Traders, entrepreneurs, and contractors can also be eligible to apply for loans in this category.

Here’s a checklist to qualify for applying for a loan for commercial purchase.

  • Make sure that the builder comes with a strong background and profile with a successful track record of delivery.
  • Check the Title Deed of the commercial purchase. Make sure that it meets all official regulations and civic approvals. 
  • Ensure that you have a fair valuation of the commercial space in mind while asking for a loan. 
  • You need to have a good financial standing with a decent credit score, adequate monthly income, and other credentials. 
  • The age of the property needs to be in adherence with the criteria of the bank. 
  • Your commercial property needs to meet the minimum space criteria of the bank. 
  • All technical specifications of the commercial property need to be in place, with complete approval from the Government and other concerned and relevant authorities. 

Once you have met the eligibility criteria, you can expect to get your loan approved with a reasonable interest rate. Loan for commercial property interest rates is generally up to 4-5% more than interest rates on residential properties, contingent upon the borrower’s credit history. 

You can take the help of CRE Matrix, a leading real estate data analytics company India that can give you all the insights on loans that are taken for commercial properties across the country by numerous companies and the banks/NBBFC/funds that provided the loans to them. Users can evaluate and compare loans for commercial properties and do so much more on CRE Matrix platforms. 

For more such exciting analysis and details on real estate, visit CRE Matrix.