Duplex House: Meaning, Types & Pros and Cons

Overview of Duplex House

Even as duplex homes have become increasingly popular in the Indian real estate market, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding them. They are often used interchangeably with two-story houses.

This article will cover in-depth duplex houses meaning, the different types of duplex houses, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. We will also cover how you can finance a duplex house through home loans.

Table of Contents

• What is a duplex house?
• Types of duplex houses
• Factors affecting the rooms in duplex houses
• Duplex house advantages
• Duplex house disadvantages
• What is the duplex house design and construction cost in India?
• Why are duplex houses popular?
• Financing a duplex house: Understanding home loans
• Factors influencing home loan approval
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is a duplex house?

This type of house has 2 separate living units connected by a common wall. They can be either side by side or one above the other. Each unit has its own entrance and both units tend to be identical. Even though there are 2 units in a duplex house, they are owned by 1 individual and form a single house.

Duplex homes can either refer to individual duplex houses or apartments that have two stories connected through a staircase. These types of houses are ideal for individuals who prefer more space than an apartment has to offer.

Types of duplex houses

Some common types of duplex houses are as follows:

Standard duplex house

This has 2 units vertically, one over the other, which are connected by stairs. This forms a two-story house which usually has the living room and kitchen on the ground floor and bedrooms on the top floor.

Side-by-side duplex

In this, the units are next to each other and are often very similar. This type of duplex is single-storied.

Ground duplex house

This is almost the inverse of a standard duplex house in terms of its layout. The lower floor has the bedrooms, and in some cases faces a garden, while the upper floor contains the kitchen and living room.

Low-rise duplex

The duplex houses are generally built in a smaller area compared to the other types and include a balcony and attic on the second floor.

Stacked duplex

This is similar to the standard duplex type, except in the stack duplex both units are independent. They are stacked one on top of the other and therefore work well in limited space.

Factors affecting the rooms in duplex houses

The size and number of rooms in duplex houses are affected by several factors such as:

• Whether the house is located in the city or on the outskirts impacts the space available as well as the cost of purchasing the land. Duplex homes in the city tend to be smaller and have fewer rooms than those on the outskirts.
• The more rooms duplex homes have the smaller those rooms tend to be. The size of the living room and kitchen will also affect room sizes if they are located on the same floor.
• The size and number of the rooms tend to increase as the size of the overall house increases.

Duplex house advantages

• The size and layout of duplex houses make sharing them between individuals or families easier. This makes them suitable for first-time home-buyers.
• The owner can live in one unit while renting out the other, providing means of additional income. The other unit can also serve as an office or guest house.
• Rental expenses like mortgage interest, repairs, and utilities can be used for tax deductions.
• The different types of duplex homes let the owner personalise their home based on how many people will live there and the intended use.
• They can be ideal for families that would like to stay closer but still value their privacy.

Duplex house disadvantages

• There may be a lack of privacy or excessive noise if the living quarters are not well separated.
• The size of duplex homes can make them difficult to maintain. Repairs and cleaning can be costly and can become a source of conflict between tenants.
• Duplex homes tend to be more expensive than regular apartments, especially if they are located in affluent areas.
• The flexibility of duplex houses can be limited as owners have to adhere to building regulations and codes. This becomes more of a challenge in cities due to a lack of space.
• If the duplex house is located on the outskirts of a city for more space, daily commuting can be difficult.

What is the duplex house design and construction cost in India?

In India, it is common for duplex houses to have 2 floors, one on top of the other. The bedrooms are usually located on the top floor, while the kitchen and living room are located on the ground floor. The layout can also contain units that are side by side, separated by a wall with different entrances.

The construction cost of a duplex house in India can range from INR 1,500 to INR 2,500 per sqft or from INR 25 lakhs to INR 80 lakhs depending on the size, location, and quality of materials used.

Why are duplex houses popular?

Duplex homes are popular in India for many reasons:

• Several people want more space and privacy than a traditional apartment can offer, as well as separate living areas for family members.
• Duplex homes have become increasingly affordable as developers have started offering them at lower prices.
• Duplex homes can be used for a variety of purposes such as renting out one of the units or using it as a home office.
• Many duplex homes are now part of joint communities instead of being located independently. This offers a sense of community while still offering individual privacy.

Financing a duplex house: Understanding home loans

In India, home loans for financing a duplex house are typically provided by traditional financial institutions or Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). Depending on the institution and your eligibility criteria, you can get a loan of up to 90%* of the property’s market value. The loan tenure can be up to 30 years*. Considering the nature of the duplex homes, there might be some additional criteria or considerations for home loans, depending on the financial institution.

It is essential to know home loan interest rates  with its terms and any additional fees such as processing fees for different lenders to secure the best deal.

Factors influencing home loan approval

Here is an overview of the factors that affect your home loan eligibility or approval:

• Age: Generally, younger applicants have more chances of securing a loan with more favourable terms than those closer to retirement age. If you are close to retirement, including a younger co-applicant may increase your approval chances.
• Credit score: You should have a minimum credit score of 700 to qualify for a home loan. The higher your score is, the more favourable your terms could be.
• Existing debts: The percentage of your income that goes towards debts (debt-to-income ratio) should be 30% or below to get a loan with good terms.
• Employment: Lenders look for a stable income source, such as a salaried job with a reputable employer. These can increase your chances of getting approved.
• Income: This will depend on whether you live in Tier 1 (such as Delhi or Mumbai) or Tier 2 (such as Chandigarh or Jaipur) city as there are minimum income requirements for both categories.
• Down payment: Most lenders require a down payment of at least 10% of the value of the property.

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Conclusion

Duplex homes can offer a good mix of space, privacy, and potential income generation. Understanding the different types of duplex houses, their advantages and disadvantages, and the factors that influence their construction costs will help you make an informed decision.

A home loan from SMFG Grihashakti can help you realise your dream of home ownership with loan amounts of up to INR 1 crore* or up to 90%* of the property’s market value. A quick 72-hour* loan processing further makes housing finance easy. Apply for a home loan online or visit your nearest branch to know more.