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By
Rajat Piplewar

Understanding BHK Full Form: A Comprehensive Guide for Home Buyers

When it comes to buying a home, budget and location are crucial factors. However, another important consideration is the size of the home, often denoted as 1BHK, 2BHK, or 3BHK. But what does BHK stand for? Let’s dive into the details.

BHK Full Form

BHK stands for Bedroom, Hall, and Kitchen. It indicates the number of rooms in a house. For example, a 2BHK means the property has two bedrooms, one hall, and one kitchen. Similarly, a 3BHK means three bedrooms, one hall, and one kitchen. While the number of bathrooms/toilets may vary, the seller will always specify the number of bedrooms.

Summary of BHK Configurations

  • 1BHK: 1 Bedroom, Hall, and Kitchen
  • 2BHK: 2 Bedrooms, Hall, and Kitchen
  • 3BHK: 3 Bedrooms, Hall, and Kitchen
  • 4BHK: 4 Bedrooms, Hall, and Kitchen

Although the abbreviation ‘T’ for toilet is not included, all these configurations will have bathrooms and toilets. Some sellers market their properties as 3BHK+2T, where ‘2T’ stands for two toilets, highlighting the additional space.

Meaning of BHK

The term ‘BHK’ is not limited to flats but is also used for villas, independent houses, builder floor properties, and bungalows. However, it does not apply to plots unless referring to future potential, such as “You can build a 3BHK house on this plot.”

What is 0.5 BHK?

A 0.5BHK apartment, or half-bedroom, includes a smaller-than-standard bedroom, a bathroom/toilet, and a kitchen. Developers experiment with various BHK formats to cater to home buyers’ preferences. Due to rapid urbanization and increasing demand for living spaces, 0.5BHK apartments are becoming popular in India. Even luxury BHK apartments may include a half-bedroom option.

What is 1 BHK?

A 1BHK includes a standard-sized master bedroom, hall, and kitchen. The bathroom and toilet are not attached to the master bedroom but are located outside. This configuration is common for those looking for real estate in central locations, as they are available within a specific price range.

What is 1.5 BHK?

A 1.5BHK includes a standard-sized master bedroom and a smaller bedroom, which can be used as a study room, library, servant’s room, or store room. The smaller room may or may not include windows and other amenities.

What is 2 BHK?

A 2BHK includes two bedrooms, one hall, and one kitchen. The master bedroom usually has an attached toilet, and there is a guest washroom outside the rooms. This configuration is popular among medium-sized families with small children, as it offers more space than a 1BHK and is more affordable than a 3BHK apartment.

What is 2.5 BHK?

A 2.5BHK includes two bedrooms and a smaller room, which can be used as a storeroom or servant’s room. This configuration is quite popular in the National Capital Region (NCR). Medium-sized families with four to five members often choose this option as it provides the comfort of a 3BHK at an affordable price.

What is 3 BHK?

A 3BHK includes three bedrooms, one hall, and one kitchen. This configuration is gaining popularity, especially in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR. A 3BHK typically has three sets of washrooms, with two attached to the rooms and one guest washroom outside.

Studio Apartments

For those looking for smaller apartments, a 1RK unit is another variant. Popular in many parts of Maharashtra, a 1RK includes one room, a kitchen, and a bathroom/toilet, but no hall. This option is ideal for those with a limited budget or professionals who travel frequently and do not want to invest heavily in property in another city.

BHK and Property Size

Sometimes, a 1BHK unit can be larger than a regular 2BHK, or a 2BHK can be larger than a 3BHK. Some builders may sell an 800 square foot property as a 1BHK, while others may offer a 2BHK in the same space. Typically, the area of a standard 2BHK apartment ranges from 650 to 1,000 square feet or more, depending on the project. In expensive cities like Mumbai, 2BHK flats of 650 to 700 square feet are common, while in other areas, the size may be less than 600 square feet. Luxury residential projects may offer 2BHK apartments with an area of 1,000 square feet or more.

Why Do Property Sizes Vary?

The variation in property sizes occurs because there are no standard rules for property dimensions, and the local property market can set its own norms. For example, a 2BHK flat in Hyderabad may be larger than one in Mumbai. The irregularity in size is due to factors like land availability, building premiums, total construction cost, and sale price in a particular area.

Carpet Area and Built-Up Area

When discussing property size, understanding the carpet area is crucial. The carpet area in a BHK refers to the actual usable area within the home, excluding the thickness of inner walls, lobby, lift, stairs, and play area. On the other hand, the built-up area includes the carpet area plus the area covered by inner walls and balconies.

1 BHK vs. 2 BHK: Why Choose a 2 BHK Flat?

When deciding between a 1BHK and a 2BHK unit, several factors come into play. Although the debate is common among buyers with a tight budget, real estate developers offer various formats, and banks and NBFCs provide multiple home loan options. Factors influencing the decision include property price, location, size, builder, and future family needs.

Planning for the Future

For first-time home buyers, a 1BHK offers the best combination of affordability and convenience. However, it’s essential to consider the long-term perspective of investing in a home. While a 1BHK may initially seem sufficient for a small family, it may not be adequate if you decide to expand your family. A 2BHK apartment provides enough space for a modern family to enjoy comfort and amenities.

Real Estate Market Dynamics

Even for a bachelor, opting for a 2BHK apartment can be a wise decision. This is because 2BHK apartments are in higher demand, and real estate companies focus more on supplying and enhancing 2BHK flats. The higher market demand for 2BHK units means buyers have more options regarding location, price, and amenities.

Investment Purpose

A 2BHK flat has a higher resale value than a 1BHK flat. This is because the demand for 2BHK units is consistently higher than for single-bedroom formats. Therefore, if you are buying an apartment for investment purposes, a 2BHK is always a better choice.

Apartment Price

Naturally, real estate prices depend on the size of the property. If a 2BHK and a 1BHK flat are of the same size and located in the same area, the 2BHK will be more expensive. If a 2BHK flat is beyond your budget, even after taking a home loan, a 1BHK flat may be the only option.

Considering all aspects and realities of the Indian real estate market, a 2BHK apartment is almost always better than a 1BHK flat.

Renting vs. Buying a 2 BHK/3 BHK/4 BHK Apartment

When choosing between renting or buying a 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK apartment, several factors should be considered:

Budget and Price

Renting or buying is a dilemma almost everyone faces at some point, especially in metro cities. Buying a 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK flat means a higher financial burden than renting. If you plan to buy a BHK apartment, you must calculate your income and then look at the EMI. The budget for a BHK apartment should be assessed based on various factors, and if you need a home loan, the EMI should ideally be up to 25% of your salary. If buying a 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK apartment disrupts your budget, renting is a better option.

Flexibility

Renting offers more flexibility as you can easily vacate the apartment and move to another place if needed. However, buying a 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK apartment does not offer this flexibility. Renting any BHK property provides more freedom, and a property should only be purchased after carefully analyzing the possibilities of relocation.

Restrictions

Living in a rented 2BHK, 1BHK, or 3BHK comes with several restrictions on what you can and cannot do. There may be restrictions on entry and exit times. You cannot make significant structural changes to a rented 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK flat. However, these restrictions do not apply to a purchased 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK flat.

Interior

A tenant cannot make significant changes to the interior of a rented 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK flat. However, the owner of a 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK flat can make as many changes to the interior as they wish.

Tax Benefits

For a rented 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK flat, tax benefits are limited to the rent amount. However, buying a 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK flat offers several tax benefits. After the 2019 budget, tax benefits on property purchases have increased. Relief is provided as a deduction of up to 2 lakh rupees on the interest paid on a home loan. If the stamp duty of the purchased property exceeds 45 lakh rupees, the tax benefit goes up to 3.5 lakh rupees per year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What does BHK stand for?

    • BHK stands for Bedroom, Hall, and Kitchen.

  2. What is the difference between 1BHK and 2BHK?

    • A 1BHK includes one bedroom, one hall, and one kitchen, while a 2BHK includes two bedrooms, one hall, and one kitchen.

  3. Is a 2BHK better than a 1BHK?

    • Generally, a 2BHK is better as it offers more space and higher resale value.

  4. What is a 0.5BHK?

    • A 0.5BHK includes a smaller-than-standard bedroom, a bathroom/toilet, and a kitchen.

  5. Can I convert a 1BHK into a 2BHK?

    • It depends on the available space and the builder’s design.

  6. What is the carpet area in a BHK?

    • The carpet area is the actual usable area within the home, excluding the thickness of inner walls, lobby, lift, stairs, and play area.

  7. What is the built-up area in a BHK?

    • The built-up area includes the carpet area plus the area covered by inner walls and balconies.

  8. Should I buy or rent a 2BHK/3BHK/4BHK apartment?

    • It depends on your budget, flexibility needs, and long-term plans.

  9. What are the tax benefits of buying a BHK apartment?

    • Tax benefits include deductions on home loan interest and stamp duty, with increased benefits for properties exceeding 45 lakh rupees in stamp duty.

  10. What is a 1RK unit?

    • A 1RK unit includes one room, a kitchen, and a bathroom/toilet, but no hall.

In conclusion, understanding the BHK full form and its various configurations is essential for making an informed decision when buying or renting a home. Whether you opt for a 1BHK, 2BHK, or 3BHK, consider your current and future needs, budget, and market dynamics to make the best choice.

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