Many of us use the words flat and apartment interchangeably in India. When you are looking to buy or rent a home, even a broker will say flat and apartment in the same breath, speaking about the same property. To us, it usually means a living unit in a building with a hall, kitchen, bedroom(s) and bathroom(s).

However, a flat and apartment aren’t quite the same when you speak about them outside of India. Flat is a word that is used mostly in the United Kingdom. It emerged during the industrial revolution immigrants from rural to urban areas began moving to cities and the need for buildings with affordable rental units became popular.

In America, people say ‘apartment’ when referring to the same housing units. In some cases though, the term ‘apartment’ indicates a better standard of accommodation than ‘flat’ would imply.

What is a flat?

The origin of the word ‘flat’ came from the Old English word ‘flet’ which referred to any place made for living – its literal meaning is house or floor. It dates back to the 1300s. The Scottish word ‘flet’ translates to the house interior. Today, the word is used to describe a living unit in a building which is on a single level.

What is an apartment?

The Italian word ‘appartamento’ is where the word apartment originates from. This word means private rooms for a person or a family to use in a house. The French word appartement is also where ‘apartment’ has originated from and it similarly means ‘a separated place’. It is usually used in American English, whereas the word ‘flat’ is used as an equivalent to ‘apartment’ in British English.

What is the difference between a flat and an apartment?

The term ‘flat’ and the term ‘apartment’ aren’t very different from each other, especially if you are living in India. The term is used identically here. However, if you do live abroad, there are some differences you should be aware of. For instance, in America, an apartment is a rented residential unit in a building with many such residential units. However, if these units are owned, they are called ‘condos’ – short for condominium.

In multi-story residential units, with no other residents living above or below your space, this type of residence is referred to as a ‘townhouse’.

Then there is a duplex, which is a multi-family home which has two units in the same building. While these separate units will share a common wall, their floor plan can be different. The two residential units can either be side by side or one on top of the other.

In the UK, the term ‘apartment’ has a more premium connotation than the term ‘flat’. An apartment is considered to be a residential unit that is luxurious and owned by high-society residents. The term ‘flat’ is often used when talking about homes belonging to lower-income residents of buildings.

In India, we use ‘flat’ and ‘apartment’ as if these are the same. Your preference for the term you use may depend on whether you are more accustomed to British English or American English. In India, the term flat can sometimes refer to living units of a smaller size in smaller, standalone buildings. In this case, a flat is a single residential unit that takes up a single floor of a building.

On the other hand, an apartment is often thought of as one of several residential units in a large building complex (which could have multiple buildings and blocks). Apartments are usually several residential units per a single floor as these buildings tend to be larger than those containing flats. In an apartment building, there could be multiple units of different sizes, such as 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK in a single floor. A building with flats would usually have only a single, smaller flat of one size per floor.

Pros and cons of living in a flat

1. Pros

There are usually a smaller number of living units in a building with flats and therefore you have more of a say in issues regarding the building. For example, if you buy an under-construction property, you may be able to give your inputs on the construction quality, materials used and the amenities to be provided by the developers.

As there are fewer residents in buildings containing flats, there is often more privacy and fewer rules governing the building. Flat owners rarely face issues that some apartment complex residents may come across regarding parking rules, pet ownership, etc.

Flat owners usually stay in buildings that are more centrally located which could make commuting to schools and workplaces easier. The availability of a range of shopping, healthcare and entertainment options could also be better.

2. Cons

Flats tend to have poorer security as there may be just one or two security guards to take care of the building.

Cleanliness and maintenance can also be a concern when there are fewer residents to pay and keep track to these services.

The amenities in buildings that contain flats can be limited as space is a constraint. So you may not find the facilities you enjoy in apartment complexes such as swimming pools, sports courts, game rooms and gyms.

Pros and cons of living in an apartment

1. Pros

When you live in an apartment, you are most likely to enjoy a building with a more spacious compound, especially if your housing society has many buildings.

Apartment complexes usually have amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, badminton court, basketball court, football field, club house and more.

Apartments tend to be cheaper to purchase as there are many residential units in these high-rise buildings that are often situated away from the main areas of the city where land prices are higher.

Because there are so many residents, the likelihood of making friends and socialising is higher.

Security and maintenance is often better in apartment complexes than in flats because there are so many people contributing and keeping track.

2. Cons

As there are a larger number of living units in an apartment complex, you may not have a lot of say in issues, especially if you disagree with the majority. Inputs on construction quality, materials used and the amenities to be provided by the developers will probably not be up for discussion.

In apartment complexes, there are usually a greater number of rules governing the buildings. Flat owners often have to abide by strict rules on parking, guest parking, pet ownership, changes to the flats and more.

Apartment owners usually stay in complexes that are not as centrally located, which could make commuting to schools and workplaces time-consuming.

The differences between a flat and an apartment in India

If we go by the usual definition of a flat and an apartment in India, we can point out the subtle differences between the two. Here are the key differences

Flat	Apartment
Word of British origin	Word of American origin
Usually is segregated into a hall, master bedroom, smaller bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen	Does not have a definite living plan and can be any form of dwelling – studio apartment, standard apartment, townhouse or duplex
Has all the basic living amenities	May have more than the basic amenities
Usually considered an average to premium living space	Usually considered to be a premium living space
Often referred to living units in smaller standalone buildings	Often referred to living units in larger complexes with multiple buildings
Tend to be more popular in well-known areas that have been developed for a long time	Usually popular in areas further away from the city centre where space is more abundant
May be more expensive than an apartment	Can be less expensive than a flat, especially if it is far away from the city centre

There’s no hard and fast rule that you must choose one over the other when looking to rent or buy a home. Most people will look at flats and apartments when searching for a place to live.

Whether you choose an apartment or a flat to live in will really depend on which area you’d like to live in, the affordability of the rent or price of the home, the number of bedrooms and size of place you require, what amenities you are looking for and which home you finally see yourself comfortable in.

Other important factors to keep in mind are parking, easy access to public transport, security of the building or complex as well as security of the neighbourhood, maintenance and whether there is smooth and cordial communication between residents and the managing committee.

A campus-style gated community is becoming the standard form of housing these days. Such housing complexes or estates are typically preferred for their safety, open areas, and amenities, including shared gyms, swimming pools, play areas, and gardens. A standalone home can hardly have access to so many top-notch amenities. The cost of using these facilities are split evenly among the residents.

The Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA), a group of individuals chosen by the residents from amongst themselves, exists in almost every housing complex. The Societies Registration Act of 1860 governs these residents’ welfare associations.

However, for a residents’ welfare group to be recognised as a legitimate organisation, it must be registered with the government. This will allow a certified RWA to legally benefit from several privileges. The prerequisite for being an RWA member is to be aged 18 years or above. A minimum of seven such individuals are required to form a registered RWA.

What is a Residents’ Welfare Association?

A committee comprising individuals selected from among the tenants of an apartment building is known as a residents’ welfare association.

RWAs are required to be registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, and function according to their respective bylaws. Typically, RWA members are tasked with keeping clean the complex under their jurisdiction and maintaining the society’s pathways and other common areas.

One of the RWA’s principal tasks is to collect the monthly common maintenance fees from the occupants of all units and utilise those funds to develop high-quality amenities and infrastructure for the residents.

Apart from the ordinary members, each RWA also has committee members, a president, a treasurer, and a secretary.

Upon registration, a residents’ welfare group becomes a legal entity with specific legal powers. Such a group or association has the right to file a lawsuit against any person or entity on legitimate grounds, and can be sued in turn.

Role of RWA (Residents’ Welfare Association) officers

There are elected officers in each registered RWA. These officers are elected at the association’s general body meeting. A president, vice president, general secretary, secretary, financial advisor, and executive members make up an RWA’s board of directors.

The president chairs every meeting of an RWA, and also oversees the duties of all office holders. The president is one of the primary signatories on any letter or notice sent by an RWA, and has the authority to manage the association’s bank accounts. The vice president supports the president in carrying out his or her responsibilities and fills in for the president whenever required.

All residents and homes inside a housing estate or society are listed in records kept by the general secretary of an RWA. They represent their society in public and in governmental settings, and are a signatory to the RWA’s bank accounts. The secretary supports the general secretary in carrying out their responsibilities and steps in whenever unavailable.

The treasurer of an RWA keeps the association’s books of accounts and collect subscriptions, rent payments, and gifts. The account and funds are balanced in a specified bank. The association’s bank account must be managed, and regular account statements presented by the treasurer.

An RWA’s executive members are obligated to participate in the association’s daily operations. Additionally, they see to it that the association’s list of office holders is submitted to the registrar. According to Section 4 of the Societies Registration Act of 1860, it is essential to file this list of office-holders.

Powers of an RWA

An RWA’s primary power is to choose and determine the composition of its membership. An RWA has the authority to terminate an individual’s membership after providing appropriate reasons and grounds.

Collecting subscription fees from all residents and setting the rate is another important power of an RWA. The overall general maintenance and upkeep of the society is covered by this subscription. Any RWA member who consistently fails to attend meetings may get their membership terminated.

If tenants complain about substandard construction and the use of subpar building materials, a residents’ welfare group can file a lawsuit against the developer. The RWA can contact the police and lodge a complaint about any issues with the construction or builder.

An RWA’s financial year cycle

The financial year of an RWA moves from April 1 through March 31 of the subsequent year. This financial cycle provides a structured framework for fiscal planning and execution.

Funds of an RWA

All residents need to pay periodic maintenance fees, which are an RWA’s principal source of funding. Many organisations hold inter-resident activities and sports matches to raise funds. Housing communities also host fairs and social events. Residents and visitors can purchase food from stalls during events such as cooking competitions, and the association collects a nominal rent from each stall.

Strategies employed to raise funds include fees collected for renting out community halls and spaces for weddings and other social gatherings. These facilities are available on rent for residents from outside the society. Outsiders and visitors can park in public lots, against which the RWA charges a fee.

The funds raised through subscriptions and fundraising initiatives go to the RWA’s bank account. The succeeding RWA acknowledges the carryover funds. Only the RWA president, treasurer, or general secretary are authorised to handle this account. A trained auditor must be hired or appointed by the association to examine the RWA’s financial records.

Roles and responsibilities of an RWA

The President’s Role:

• The president has the power to represent the association for any legal action that is brought against it. The president also has the power to sue individuals on legitimate grounds.
• The decision on whether to accept and carry out the terms of a contract presented by the committee rests with the president.
• The president should keep a broad perspective of events and ensure that all residents and members are content and nurse no reservations or issues. The president should also keep an eye on all expenditures and ensure that they are wisely spent.

Treasurer’s Role:

• The role of the treasurer in an RWA is to oversee the management of all finances held by the association. The treasurer is the sole person in charge of keeping the funds and other important documents safe and secure.
• As these records and finances are crucial to the association, the treasurer’s position should be given to a seasoned professional with strong management skills.
• The treasurer should also calculate monthly and yearly expenses as well as the overall income. The residents will benefit from the constant regulation of the fund flow this way.

Secretary’s Role:

• An RWA entrusts the secretary with the task of presiding over numerous general body sessions.
• Additionally, the secretary will be charged with gathering the meeting’s minutes and reviewing all the data presented.
• To ensure that each resident actively participates, the secretary will need to raise any issues they may have.

These are the three most important positions in an RWA.

How are RWA roles chosen?

An RWA’s governing body must consist of at least seven individuals, including the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is necessary, and there must be a certain minimum number of residents present to constitute a quorum. The AGM must be postponed and due notice given to all estate residents if the actual attendance falls below the required quorum.

At the AGM, all new members of the association will be chosen by ballot. Simple hand motions are also acceptable. Following the election of a new committee, the list must receive the support of at least three officials from the outgoing committee. The Registrar of Societies must be notified when a committee is newly elected, along with the names of the new officers.

Come summer, a society’s swimming pool is an entertaining and vibrant hangout for children as well as adults. But if managed poorly, your community swimming pool can become a hotbed for infections, injuries and irritating behaviour. Follow this post to know about swimming pool rules and regulations for housing societies and keep your swimming pool a happy and safe place.

Specifications to know for the MC/RWA

1. Safety and rescue equipment

A throw rope equal to the width of the pool attached to a ring buoy (life-saving floating devices) along with below-listed items:

1. A fully equipped first aid kit displayed and mounted within the pool premises
2. Resuscitation equipment (orange life jackets, rescue tubes, respirators, etc.)
3. Emergency contact list
4. Chart for life-saving instructions
5. Depth markers indicating the depth of the pool in metres at shallow and deep ends, transition points and ‘no diving’ signs

2. Water quality

People, animals, debris and pathogens in the pool are the main source of contamination and at the same time, people themselves are at the risk of microbial and chemical hazards due to ingestion or surface contact.

Must require water standards

1. pH level – between 7.2 and 8 (if higher than 8, swimmers will get skin rashes, if lower than 7, it can sting the eyes)
2. Calcium hardness – 200- 250 ppm for concrete pools and 175-225 ppm for vinyl pools
3. Alkalinity – 120 – 150ppm
4. Water clarity – a 4-inch b&w object in the deepest end should be visible from the deck
5. Total coliforms – less than 10 in 100 millilitres
6. Fecal coliform – 0

Disinfection of water

A disinfectant should be quickly able to deactivate pathogens and microorganisms. Three common disinfectant types are chlorine-based (residual level 1.0-4.0 ppm), bromine-based (residual level 2.0-8.0 ppm) and ozone (concentration less than 0.1 ppm) with the addition of UV radiation techniques and the use of algicides.

Above mentioned pH and chlorine levels should be checked twice daily (or hourly for constantly used pools). Test kits should be kept available at all times.

For technical analysis and specifications, refer to Tamil Nadu State bye-laws, BIS Guidelines

and WHO Guidelines for a detailed understanding of recreational pool usage.

Pool care, operation and maintenance guidelines

• A society should hire a professionally qualified pool manager, lifeguard, swimming instructor and operations staff who are trained in handling chemicals and pool maintenance.

• Bather load limits should be strictly enforced.

• Pool operations timing and slot booking should be regulated as per pre-determined committee rules. A logbook (digital/physical) should be maintained so that any damages or mishaps can be accounted for.

• Develop definitive policies for accidental discharge of faeces, bodily fluids or vomit and safe evacuation and disinfecting procedures thereof.

• Follow manufacturer’s manual for operating and maintaining all equipment (filtration, recirculation pumps, valves, flowmeters, chlorinators feed pump tubing, injectors, perimeter overflow, skimmers, inlet-outlet fittings, hair and lint strainers, etc.)

• There should be preventive checks and repairs of equipment; any cracks or damages inside and outside the pool should be promptly fixed.

• Pool surfaces must be scrubbed daily to prevent slime, lint, dirt from settling in.

• Decks must be rinsed daily, water must be drained and replaced weekly (or monthly if less used), indoor and outdoor decks should be disinfected weekly.

• Shock treatments should be carried weekly basis of bather load and in case of rainfall, foul odours, extreme weather fluctuations, and algae growth.

• Run the water circulation pump for 8 hours minimum to avoid cloudy bacterial water.

• Brush the pool walls and use a pool vacuum to clean the pool floor weekly.

• Full-scale cleaning and maintenance should be done twice a year, especially after the monsoon.

General pool rules, etiquette and safety to follow

According to the swimming pool rules and regulations for apartments, it is crucial that you:

1. Do not engage in a conversation with the lifeguard as it may divert his attention.
2. Shower before and after swimming in the pool, do not use creams or lotions before entering the pool. Wear swimming attire, not regular clothes.
3. Instruct children to walk, not run around the swimming pool.
4. Adults should not engage in roughhousing in or around the pool.
5. No children under age 14 should be left unaccompanied while they’re in or outside the pool.
6. Put on a swimming cap if you have long hair.
7. Do not hang to the safety rope or play with it.
8. Spitting, spouting water from nose and mouth should be against the rules.
9. People with open cuts, wounds, bandages, injuries, cold, cough, fever, skin disease, venereal diseases and upset stomach must not be allowed to swim.
10. Pool interior, premises and patio should not be littered with food wrappers, cigarettes or other trash.
11. Safety equipment and pool appurtenances should not be played or tampered with.
12. Inexperienced swimmers should not be allowed to use the diving board (without the instructor).
13. Toddlers must be made to wear swim-proof diapers.
14. Animals and pets should not be permitted inside the pool.
15. Glass bottles should not be allowed inside the pool. Do not enter the pool if you’re inebriated.
16. Leave a towel on the lounge chair if you’re occupying it so that others know it’s taken.
17. Play music at a reasonable volume so residents are not disturbed.

A residential society should circulate the pool rules and etiquette manual for the residents beforehand so that violations are prevented from occurring.

An Emergency Response Team may sound like an alien concept to implement in a housing society but its many versions are commonly known to us all. A neighborhood watch or a SWAT team, or in more recent times, an ERT of medical practitioners. These are the first-hand responders in times of trouble. Let’s explore further.

What is an Emergency Response Team?

Also known as an Incident Response Team, it’s a group of people who are appointed to solve crises, and respond to emergencies (in a calm and collected manner) with practical action plans. Such a team consists of members who are qualified and prepared to handle emergencies (volunteers or designated members).

Why is an ERT needed in a housing society?

A housing society faces emergencies quite frequently. Some examples are listed below:

• COVID-19 (or other medical) cases that can escalate quickly.

• Lack of essentials during continuous lockdowns or unavailability of specific medicines and daily needs.

• Incoming (forecasted or otherwise) natural calamities like flooding issues, storms, earthquakes, etc.

• Accidental fires or structural breakdown in the building.

• Failure of society assets like composting units, electric/smart meters, fire alarm systems, etc.

• Domestic or community conflict (in some cases, physical assault).

• Intruders, robbers, and vandals are causing damage to property and disturbing the privacy of residents.

• Mishandling of hazardous materials during maintenance and repair.

Any such incidents need to be handled with caution so as to prevent any physical, monetary, psychological, and emotional distress to the spirit of community living.

How to form an Emergency Response Team (ERT) in your housing society?

Step 1: Identify the categories of emergencies within the desired Incident Response Team and appoint points of contact for each.

Points of contact for:

• Medical/Covid-19 emergencies

• Domestic/internal conflicts

• Technical failure, equipment malfunction

• Natural calamities or accidents within the premises

• Elevators safety and malfunctioning with people trapped inside.

• Any other categories as per the needs of your housing society

Step 2: Select members based on needs and qualifications
Circulate a notice to form ERT among group chats and notice boards and announce that volunteers are welcome.

Usually, the responsible members who are willing to help will step forward. Alernatively, if you already know the members who would do a good job as a reliable point of contact, you can approach them directly after discussing it within the MC meeting. Use both approaches as you’d be able to appoint a secondary point of contact through willing volunteers as well.

What will be the responsibilities of the ERT?

After you’ve appointed the primary and secondary points of contact for each category, formulate their core responsibilities and the action plan needed for their roles.

Here’s a sample.

1. ERT points of contact in society for accidental fire and natural disasters should have:

• An action plan for evacuation

• Fire safety plan

• A drill practiced in advance

• A plan for securing vehicles and other property of the society.

• Train the security guard and maintenance staff in damage control.

2. Points of contact in society for internal conflicts, robbery, vandalism should:

• Be able to intervene immediately.

• Hear out all parties involved, devise a fair judgment, and impose it.

• Apprehend the perpetrators immediately and hand them over to the local authorities.

• Set up a neighborhood patrol if needed.

3. ERT points of contact in society for Medical/ Covid-related emergencies should be responsible for:

• Arranging for first aid and CPR, temporary solutions like bandaging wounds, PPE /isolation protocols.

• Providing a list of nearby health facilities and doctors on call.

• Distributing safety measures for children, elderly family members of the patient.

• Making medicines or supplements available.

4. Points of contact in society for equipment failure should:

• Maintain a list of all associated vendors and their contact information.

• Be trained in emergency lift rescue protocols (usually, the guard and facilities manager should be able to handle such scenarios).

• Solve minor technical glitches or get someone from within the society premises to help immediately.

Above are some examples. However, each point of contact can create their own action plans and acquire skill sets to implement them based on society’s requirements. A society can set aside funds for ERT activities or go ad hoc for funds if needed. Team members can be from the MC/RWA as well as regular members.

Common rules for ERT members

• Protect people first, the property later.

• Be available at all times to respond.

• Choose ERT members with specific skill sets (e.g. medical health professionals, engineers, people with necessary life experience who may be in managerial/leadership roles in their careers or experienced business owners.)

• They should be self-trained in their ERT roles with periodic retraining to maintenance staff and guards.

• Each ERT member should make their own checklist along with an action plan to stay on top when an emergency strikes.

• Firefighting/escape and drills and basic medical emergency, first aid skills should be taught mandatorily to all ERT members.

An Emergency Response Team should be able to act swiftly, think on their feet, and consider the good of the many above selfish motives.

Freshwater is a rare commodity in the world. Out of 70% of all the world’s water, only about 2.5% is freshwater. The rest has to be treated by scientific technology. But not every household in India has access to fully treated or purified water available directly off the tap. What flows through our faucets is hard water with varying levels of chemical content.

What is hard water? How to identify it?

Hard water is water that contains salts, high mineral content, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates, sulfates, and other impurities. It has the following indicators that you may find commonly:

• Dry scum on utensils/glassware even after washing them
• Scaling on pipes, plumbing fixtures, the surface of the toilet, and faucets
• Dry and itchy skin
• Blurry spots on appliances and objects cleaned with hard water

Such water is not fit for consumption by humans without proper treatment as the residue can cause health problems like kidney problems, cardiovascular or neural diseases. Indian domestic water supply is notoriously famous for its hardness, it corrodes pipes, water heaters and needs extra detergents/cleaners to get things cleaned.

Due to the shortage of treated water in India, many housing societies have to hire services of water tankers that provide water directly from the borewell, the quality of which is questionable. The soap doesn’t lather well, and hair becomes brittle and dry. What should the residents do to resolve this problem?

How to soften hard water

1. Industrial RO installation

One of the ways to ensure that all of the water that gets supplied remains harmless is to get a Reverse Osmosis water treatment plant which can drastically bring down the hardness of potable water. The term used to describe it scientifically is TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) which is the total amount of inorganic matter and minerals in the water. Studies suggest that the acceptable amounts of TDS in drinking water should be between 50-300 and anything above 500 is not fit for drinking. RO units have been known to reduce the number of TDS by 80% to 90% if the brand is BIS approved and reliable.

Housing societies can consider investing in one depending upon their society size and requirements. They can cost anywhere between Rs 20,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.

2. Home remedies for hard water problem

Another safeguarding measure against hard water is to apply some tried and tested home remedies, although it may be stated that these are short-term solutions and need to be used again and again. You can boil hard water at home before drinking. When it comes to cleaning faucets, utensils, and appliances to ensure no spots remain, you could use some hot water mixed with all-natural/distilled white vinegar. Yet another hack is to use washing soda while doing your laundry. Some people also like to invest in a domestic water softener, which is used for softening bathing and cleaning water. It could cost anywhere between Rs 1500 to Rs 10,000. An individual whole-house water filtration system could cost up to Rs 20,000.

3. Water purifier

A healthy household must invest in a good water purifier for drinking water despite using any of the above measures.

Here’s what to look for when choosing a reliable water purifier

The three commonly used filtration technologies are RO, Ultraviolet filtration (UV), and Ultrafiltration. The first step to check the TDS levels of your housing society water supply in order to decide which one is the best for you. This can be done by buying a TDS meter online (Rs 150-Rs 4000).

After finding out the TDS levels, shortlist the water purifiers on the basis of the range of TDS mentioned on the specifications of the water purifier brand. If the brand doesn’t provide the type of purification technology and TDS recommendations, do not buy it, no matter how economical.

If the TDS level found in your water is above 500 ppm, you can choose an RO water purifier.

If it is below 200 ppm, you could go for a UV or a UF filter. To be doubly sure (or if the TDS levels are above 1000 ppm), you could also get a water purifier system that combines both technologies.

Keep in mind that RO systems consume a lot of electricity and pose a challenge of wasted water. It’s ideal if you explore systems that offer a water storage tank for sifted water that can be later used for cleaning purposes.

Last but not least, you could also consider a gravity-based water purifier that cleans drinking water equally well without needing electricity and is quite affordable but may not last as long as RO/UV systems and require more maintenance. As a rule of thumb, visit the brand’s website and check online reviews as well.