Paper is one of the most versatile and common products of modern societies. Unfortunately, as paper use grows, paper waste continues to rise as well. Today a major part of municipal waste is made up of paper and paper products. Around one-third of all household waste is paper. As you know, to produce paper it [...]

The most serious impact of the Ganesh festival on the natural environment is due to the immersion of idols made of Plaster of Paris (POP) into lakes, rivers and the sea. POP contains chemicals such as gypsum, Sulphur, phosphorus, and magnesium. The dyes used to color these idols contain mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead, and carbon. [...]

Bird watching is a love and a hobby for many but what do you do when they starts to take a hold of your life and becomes quite a nightmare for you. Certain bird species are often both serious nuisances and capable of transmitting diseases, contaminating our food and damaging our structures. Pest birds can create [...]

The most effective way to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes and neighborhoods is to find and eliminate their breeding sites. Change water in bird baths and wading pools at least once a week and keep swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated. Ornamental pools can be aerated or stocked with mosquito-eating fish. Aeration / water movement [...]

Monsoon is the best season for planting, and also for preparing the existing plants for taking in the full pleasure of nourishment. Planting trees at this time reduces much of your labor on their establishment and maintenance. All sizes of trees and shrubs can be planted during the rainy season if you give careful attention [...]

Each year, August 15 gives us the reason to celebrate an occasion to rejoice in our freedom and to pay collective homage to all those people who sacrificed their lives to the cause. The Independence Day celebration is a moment of pride and glory. For this Independence Day celebration, there are many things that we [...]

Today, Vaastu Shastra is widely used in different aspects of design and building, adhering to physical and cosmic forces by merging sound elements in design and architecture. It is essential that each and every person must have a sound sleep so that he/she will wake up the next morning with a lot of fresh energy. [...]

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs can be easier to implement than typical zoning programs. The idea of transferring development rights between properties was first introduced in New York City with the passage of that first American zoning ordinance in 1916. Many other countries have since then adopted this system to plan urban development. TDR [...]

Science shows that the conservation of energy helps in the environment. Rising energy costs and the lack of customer confidence in the accuracy of electricity meters all contribute to the growing importance attached to testing electricity meters. If your electricity bill has increased suddenly without any reason, check the functioning of your electric meter. Check where [...]

A property valuation report is given to the property owner to indicate the condition of the house and how much it is worth in the market. The report helps a buyer as well as a seller in assessing the value of a property. Property valuation in India has gained pace with the rapidly increasing demand [...]

Mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs in dirty, stagnant water. They bring diseases like dengue fever and malaria. Mosquitoes are the most active at dusk, so it helps a little if you reduce outdoor activity at this time. Although some chemical repellents do work, it is always recommended to have a natural alternative. Many people [...]

Base Rate is one of the reforms on banking system by RBI to reduce the lending risk for banks. Before setting the base rate system, banks used Prime Lending Rate (PLR) to set their lending rates. RBI come up with the new Base Rate system where banks can lend the loans based on the new [...]

Light-emitting diodes commonly called LED’s helps you to save your utility bill and reduce conception of electricity when comparing with ordinary incandescent or fluorescent lighting. Switching to LED lighting can save 40 to 70 percent of the electricity. A building’s carbon footprint from lighting can be reduced by 60 to 70 per cent by exchanging all incandescent [...]

Vaastu is the science of directions that combines all the five elements (earth, water, air, fire and sky) of nature and balances them with the man and the material to maintain peace and happiness in the life of family residing in that home or apartment. Vaastu guides you to reduce negative force and helps in your [...]

Apartment owners’ associations were put into effect to help neighborhoods maintain a look of uniformity and keep property values at their highest possible levels. The associations generally collect monthly dues in an amount barely sufficient to pay for common area maintenance and other expense. Traditionally, investment strategy was simple as interest rates were good and [...]

Like any other living being, pests tend to move to a place where they can survive and their needs are met. Rather than detecting and handling the pest problem every time it arises, the better strategy is the prevention. Following are 10 tips to avoid Pest in the Kitchen. Clean your apartment at regular interval and [...]

Renovation of your flat without consent of your Housing Society or Apartment Owners Association is illegal. An apartment owners association in any state may be registered under - the Societies Registration Act. Every society has its own set of bye-laws, formulated within the frame work of the Society act, for the state concerned. All members [...]

Base Rate for loans is effective from July 1, 2010. Base Rate is more objective reference number than the benchmark prime lending rate (BPLR). The impact of Base Rate for individual customer could be an increase or decrease of 25 basis points compared to the current rate of interest they are paying. However, existing customers [...]

The household goods and personal belongings represent many years of financial and emotional investment. Therefore, you need to ensure that your house or property and its contents are insured against fire, theft, damage etc. “Rent guarantee insurance” is a form of insurance where, for a relatively small annual fee, landlords can protect against loss of [...]

Increasing demand for property, cut down in interest rate and easy registration process has attracted more property buyers to invest on their dream home. Today real estate is one of blooming industries and demand for property is increasing day-by-day. There are number of builders and developers in city who offers or promise list of amenities [...]

There are many effective ways to conserve water in and around your home, apartment, villa, office etc. Following are 20 simple ways for water conservation. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water. Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when [...]

The city development authorities in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi are making it mandatory for large apartments to install solid waste management. The success and failure of waste management lies in the hands of one and all residents in that apartment complex. Installing solid waste management plants in apartment in not an alien concept, [...]

In these times of energy efficiency, it is important to do all we can to make changes that allow us to conserve or reuse those natural resources that are at our disposal. Till the city seeks only to exploit rivers and not to manage catchments and keep rivers flowing, the reservoir goes dry and such [...]

Unplug appliance that are not in use and never use any appliance that has any exposed wires. Unplug any appliance that begins to smell funny or produce smoke and ensure to unplug appliances after use and when going to bed in night. Limit the use of extension cords or request installation of a new electrical outlet. [...]

Here are five qualities of a Good Tenant Comply with the conditions: Read your rental or lease agreement and comply with condition of rental agreement. Refrain from damaging the premises or from allowing your guests or friends to cause damage. Pay Rent, water and electricity bill in time. Good Reference: A landlord always checks the background of [...]

Khata is important when you apply for any license of building or for trade, applying for loan from any banks or financial institution. Khata is an account which consist all the details of property like name of owner, size of buildings, location of property and all other details that helps to file property tax. Following [...]

Amortization is the process of clearing out your home loan by making periodic payments. Amortized loans are different from other loans due to the way the amount and the structure of each payment is determined. The word “Amortization” or amortisation comes from Middle English “amortisen”. This term means to deaden or kill, as in to [...]

The encumbrance certificate is used in property transactions as an evidence of free title/ownership. When buying an apartment, land or house, it is important to confirm that the land or property does not have any legal dues. A prospective home buyer must ensure that the property he intends to purchase has a clear and marketable [...]

The budget 2010-11 has proposed to levy service tax on all sales of under-construction properties from July 1, 2010. The property buyers have to shell out an extra for payment made for purchase of property. Finance Bill 2010 has introduced eight new services to charge service tax. This includes Special services provided by a builder [...]

Wet wall or Dampness is common problem in apartment or residential buildings. Dampness often leads to the growth of molds and bacteria and creates an unhealthy environment for those who occupy it. Damp walls are unsightly, smelly and cause permanent damage to plaster, paint and finishes. Damp problems can be found all over the house [...]