New Delhi Accommodation

What are the top factors to keep in mind when searching for a place to live in your city?
Keep in mind the driving distance and the commute time from the work place and children's school.
Distance is not the only criteria while considering this but the traffic conditions are. You also should assess what your requirements are. How much space do you require? Do you want to be in the city center or suburbs? Do you prefer a single-family home, gated villa or apartment? Also, note that houses on main roads tend to be noisy (and dusty) through the day and sometimes even at night.
Diligence needs to be exercised in making sure that the proposed housing is sufficient in terms of electricity and water supply and phone connections. Make sure there are facilities for groceries, vegetables, meats and medicines close by.
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What are the most popular neighborhoods in your city for expats?
Real estate in Delhi offers you a wide selection of accommodations, including gated communities with farmhouses, free-standing houses/bungalows and beautiful furnished and unfurnished high-rise apartment complexes that are available close to business and schools. The areas that are most preferred by expats are Vasant Vihar, Anand Niketan, Shanti Niketan, Chanakyapuri, Golf Links, Malcha Marg, Jor Bagh, Defense Colony, Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, Vasant Kunj, Safdarjung Enclave, Panchsheel Park and Gulmohar Park, etc., all of which are in South Delhi. These areas are located near shopping areas, hospitals and movie theaters.
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Do expats tend to buy or rent their homes?
Typically, most expatriates prefer to rent.
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Typically, will I be required to pay additional money up front (such as a deposit) before moving into leased housing? If so, how much is common?
A security deposit is usually equivalent to 3 to 6 months of the rent paid. Rentals are either paid monthly, quarterly, half yearly or 11 months in advance. There are no fixed norms and it differs from case to case.
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Are utilities generally included in the price of rent, or are they extra?
Normally, utilities are additional to rental prices. Very seldom are they included in the rent.
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Are there special security concerns I should be aware of in regards to my home or choice of neighborhood?
For the most part, Delhi is a safe city, especially considering the number of people that call it home.
However, as with most cities, some areas are more desirable than others. This is usually evident in the cost of the accommodation. Before deciding where to live, make sure that the house or apartment has door and window protection and a reliable alarm system. Change all locks on doors and replace with new ones. It is also prudent to always lock your house and car when you are not there.
Also, it is recommended that you check local police reports before deciding on an area to live. These reports provide factual information on types of crimes and how often they occur. This will most likely be a determining factor on whether you choose to live in a certain neighborhood or not. One should be watchful that there are no drains around the house, as they can create a problem with mosquitoes.
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I’m not sure if I should bring my appliances. What is the electric current, Hz and plug shape in your city?
The electric current for India is 220 volts. The electrical Hertz (Hz) is 50 hertz of power. You need to use an appropriate electrical converter if you wish to use any electrical and electronic appliances manufactured in the USA (110V).

Below are examples of the types of plugs that are used in India.
Type C plugType C plug
Type C plug - Round pin attachment plug

NOTE: Type C plugs can also be used with E and F and some L receptacles. This type of plug is very common in most universal adaptor sets.
(Though the diagram shows a circular plug, quite often Type C plugs have a rectangular shape, as in the photo above.)
Type D plug
Type D plug - Round pins with ground

Not all free-standing houses come with appliances. For an independent house, please note that you would need a generator (at least 1 guard).

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Do you have any other accommodation information that might help me?
The process of searching for suitable accommodation could take some time and is sometimes frustrating. Ideally, the process should be started a few weeks before the start of the assignment. A preview trip arranged through Crown New Delhi is highly recommended. It is a common practice that owners clean, paint and repair after the deal is finalized. If you opt to take a long-term lease (two to four years), you can request what you wish to be worked on. However, this practice often results in delays in moving into the house.

It might also be a good idea to negotiate with the owner to provide as many appliances (particularly air conditioners) as possible within the premises. As a norm, only the landlord is allowed to do any structural changes; the occupant or the signing corporate is not permitted to make such changes.
There are a few things one must do before taking possession of the premises. A round of thorough cleaning is a must. It would also be advisable to have the entire premises treated by the pest control company before moving in. All electrical points and appliances should be checked for functionality.
Water pressure should be checked as well. Gas is supplied in cylinders or bottles through a neighborhood dealer; it is advisable that you keep one extra cylinder on hand as backup.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.