To be eligible for a home loan, the applicant must be at least 21 years of age with a regular source of income from employment or self-employment. The loan must terminate before or when the applicant turns 65 years of age. The applicant should also possess at least 6 months of income proof.
The loan amount depends on a number of factors such as age, income, number of dependents, qualifications, assets and liabilities, income stability, business, profits, etc. However, there are ways in which to increase loan eligibility and amount. If a spouse or fiancée is earning, applying together as co-applicants can increase chances of a larger loan amount. In such cases, proof of marriage must be submitted. On the contrary, if there are any co-owners they must necessarily be co-applicants. Providing additional security like bonds, fixed deposits and LIC policies may also help to enhance eligibility. However, the most important factor in sanctioning loans is repayment ability. The total cost includes registration charges, transfer charges and stamp duties.
When buying a property with loans from specific financial institutions, tax authorities provide certain benefits and exemptions from tax payments.
Section 24(B) of the Income Tax Act states that an investor is allowed to deduct an amount equivalent to the total interest payable on the housing loan from his/her taxable income within the same financial year. If an investor were to take a loan, he/she would receive a deduction of up to 2 lakhs on the interest rate paid. The only concern is that the property would have to be bought or constructed within 5 years from the end of the financial year in which the loan was taken and would have to be self-occupied.
According to Section 80c of the Income Tax Act: A deduction u/s 80C (2) (xviii) is available on repayment of the principal during a financial year of up to Rs. 1,50,000/-, this aforesaid limit is within the overall limit of Rs 1.5 lakh, specified in section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Stamp duty, registration fee or other such expenses paid for the purpose of transfer of such house property to the assessee is also considered under this amount. This deduction is taken from the Gross Total Income.
Signing a title report (received from the solicitor of the property) with any fine print and specific government reservations is unadvisable. Accept clearance reports that are lucid and specific.For instance, if you are interested in buying property that has been built over reclaimed land, make sure that building has been given clearance by the government. Precautionary measures will prevent you from getting embroiled in any future disputes. They will also help ensure that your home loans aren't scrutinized.
Before a construction begins; the builder must seek several permissions and approvals from relevant bodies. Without these clearances, the construction may come under litigation. Here is a list of documents and approvals that the builder must possess for all building work to commence Mumbai & Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Region.
- ULC order (in specific cases)
- IOD and CC of the project
- MCGM / KDMC approved plans
- RERA registration of project
Non-resident Indians holding Indian passport do not require any permission from RBI for acquiring immovable property for bonafide residential purposes.
Non-resident Indians holding Indian passport may pay the purchase consideration either by remittance of funds from abroad through normal banking channels or out of NRO/ NRE/ FCNR account.
The Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are recognized under the Foreign Exchange Regulatory Act, 1973. Every bank and housing finance companies follow the RBI guidelines to define NRI - "An Indian citizen who holds a valid documents like Indian passport and who stays abroad for employment or for carrying on business or vocation outside India or stays abroad under circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain duration of stay abroad is a NRI."
Broadly categorized, Non-Resident Indians qualifying for NRI housing loans are:
The eligibility criteria of NRIs differ from Resident Indians based on a few parameters. The parameters include:
An NRI applicant is eligible to get a home loan ranging from a minimum of Rs 5 lakhs to a maximum of Rs 1 crore, based on the repayment capacity and the cost of the property, which although is variable by the priorities of the home loan provider. Also Home Loan Tenure for NRIs is different from Resident Indians. An applicant will be eligible for a maximum of 85% of the cost of the property or the cost of construction as applicable and 75% of the cost of land in case of purchase of land, based on the repayment capacity of the borrower.
However, a NRI can enhance his loan eligibility by applying for home loans with a co-applicant who has a separate source of income. Also, the rate of interest for home loans to NRIs is higher than those offered to Resident Indians. The difference is to the extent of 0.25%-0.50%. Some HFCs also have an internally earmarked 'negative criterion' for NRI home loans. As such, the NRIs who hail from locations that are marked as being 'negative' in the books of HFCs, find it difficult to get a home loan.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clarified that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), purchasing immovable property in India should pay for the acquisition by funds received in India through normal banking channels by way of inward remittance from outside the country.
The NRIs and Resident Indians can also acquire immovable property in India other than agricultural property, plantation or a farmhouse. It has issued certain directive for sanctioning home loans to Non-Resident Indians. The guidelines provided are:
The documentation required to be submitted by the NRIs are different from the Resident Indians as they are required to submit additional documents, like copy of the passport and a copy of the works contract, etc. And of course NRIs have to follow certain eligibility criteria in order to get Home Loans in India.
Another vital document required while processing an NRI home loan is the power of attorney (POA). The POA is important because, since the borrower is not based in India; the HFC would need a 'representative' 'in lieu of' the NRI to deal with and if needed. Although not obligatory, the POA is usually drawn on the NRI's parents/wife/children.
The documents needed for obtaining NRI home loans are:
Property Documents