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RESIDENTIAL
NICHE PRODUCTS
JULY 2018
BANGALORE | CHENNAI | HYDERABAD
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
India’s property market sales are expected to grow at an average compound rate of 16% in the next five years. The residential
sector accounts for 80% of this market and the demand for residential units is driven by demographic dividend, urbanisation,
migration, increased household income and smaller household size. Maturing residential markets across Tier I cities, are
moving towards product differentiation based on the needs and preferences of various generational cohorts. This report looks
into the alternate real estate assets emerging based on the lifestyle requirements, experiences and real estate purchase
motivations of various cohorts. These are classified as :
Young Renters -
Student Housing (Age: 18-25 years)
Micro-units / Professional Housing (Age : 25-35 years)
Upgraders -
Live-Work Homes (Age: 30-55 years)
Multigenerational Homes (Age: 35-55 years)
Downsizers: Senior Housing (Age: above 60 years)
Student Gross Enrolment 6% - 7% of the total Organised players Formal players will
Housing Ratio expected to migrants in these have catered to less try to compete by
reach 30% by 2020 cities come for than 5.0% of the improving amenities
higher education addressable market
Micro The median age of In Southern cities, Supply accounts for Policy intervention
Units Indian population 13.5% households 5%-10% of the likely to increase
would be 28 years (HH) have one or two addressable market institutional
by 2020. members investments in this
segment
Target segment
Young households 52,500 units would prefers rental model
value privacy and be the annual Developers
aspire to live in a addressable market evaluating rental
space with lesser size by 2022 Investor driven sales housing models will
maintenance increase supply
Senior 60+ years population Southern cities: 3% 3,600 Senior living Future projects likely
Housing to reach 300 million of the total units launched since to focus on
by 2050 households have 2010 Mid-Income Group
solo or senior couple (MIG) segment
living alone
Increasing number Focuses only on
of nuclear families independent living Partnerships between
and improved life 12,400 units will be projects, targeting a health care providers
expectancy are the annual small segment of and national senior
driving the demand addressable seniors, who are able housing operators are
for senior housing market by 2022 to afford high-end going to encourage
products assisted living and
nursing care projects
Demographic conditions, increased developer interest, institutional investment and technological improvement will collectively
result in a sustained demand for these niche products over the next decade.
*Unless otherwise mentioned, Southern cities in the report refers to the cities of Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad
Emerging Residential Niche Products
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
05 Introduction
Young Renters
07
Student Housing
Young Renters
12
Micro Units
Upgraders
17
Live-Work Homes
Upgraders
18 Multigenerational
Homes
Downsizers
20
Senior Housing
25 Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
India’s property market is expected to grow at a compound rate of 14% between 2016 to 2020
and at 18% during the period 2020-20251. The Residential sector accounts for 80% of India’s real
estate market and the demand is driven by the following factors:
economically
transition. According to UNDP's World Population Prospects
2017, India is set to overtake China to become the world’s most
populous country in the next seven years. It is likely to be the
youngest country in the world with a median age of 28 years
active age group
above 60 years
industry.
40 3 8 years
B Younger Home Buyers
Higher income, along with the easy availability of home
35 loans and the associated tax benefits, has brought down the
Median age
17.5
25
2007 2010 2013 2016 2019 2022
15
12.5
Thousands#
5.1
D Reduction in Household (HH) size
Household Size
5
4.6
As per 2011 census, close to 56% of the urban households
in India have a median size less than 4.03. Also, a shift in the
4
cultural mindset and economic independence amongst the
younger generation has resulted in an increase in solo
households. By 2020, India will be home to around 17.4
3 million4 solo households.
1991 2001 2011
‘Generational Cohorts’ are defined as a group of people in the same age group with similar experiences. These experiences
define their values, beliefs and attitudes thereby shaping their consumption patterns and their housing needs.
This report looks at the niche residential products that are evolving in the residential market of Southern India as a result of these
age cohorts, their needs, preferences and purchase motivations. The niche products are:
Young Renters –
Student Housing (Age: 18-25 years)
Micro units (Professional Housing Age: 25-35 years)
Upgraders -
Live-work Homes (Age: 30-55 years)
Multigenerational Homes (Age: 35-55 years)
Downsizers: Senior Housing (Age: above 60 years)
100 + 0.00%
95 to 99 0.02%
90 to 94 0.09%
85 to 89 0.26% Downsizers:9.35%
80 to 84 Silent Generation 0.58%
Senior Housing
Age: above 60 years
75 to 79 1.03%
70 to 74 1.57%
65 to 69 2.41%
60 to 64 3.38%
55 to 59 4.11%
Upgraders:27.89%
50 to 54 4.83% Live-work Homes
Generation-X 5.53%
Age: 30-55 years
45 to 49
Multigenerational Homes
40 to 44 6.28%
Age: 35-60 years
35 to 39 7.14%
10 to 14 9.47%
5 to 9 9.36%
0 to 4 9.15%
YOUNG
RENTERS
STUDENT
HOUSING
The concept of student housing has transformed itself from basic accommodation with shared
facilities to the one with lively, engaging, state-of-the-art facilities. Today, student housing mirrors
a diverse society and provides an environment to collaborate, experiment, make connections
and friends for life. Student housing facilities have diverse unit types to cater to one’s privacy
needs combined with innovative and flexible common spaces.
18-25 years
Age of the cohort
35.7 million
India:
6
Students enrolled during 2016-2017
Higher Education
25.2% 7
Current Gross
Enrolment Ratio ( GER)
30% 6
GENERATION - Z
Technoholics, social,internet dependent,
entrepreneurial, career multitaskers
Traditionally, accommodation for migrant students in colleges and universities were provided on campus, very often with minimal
facilities. With increasing enrolment of both domestic and international students across most Indian Tier I and II cities, colleges
and universities have not been able to keep pace with the provision of student housing. Accommodation within the campus often
falls short of requirement. Students are forced to opt for housing in the unorganised sector.
Currently available options are:
Paying guests rooms only for students
Residential paying guests
Renting an apartment
These options are generally expensive and lack the desired layout for the students. There is a need to cater exclusively to the
students' requirements by providing them with comfort and security within a rental accommodation.
OPERATIONS &
HEI SHSP SHSP SHSP
MAINTENANCE
2,049
7
An aging, inadequate stock of on-campus hostel beds has
created a huge market for privately developed student About
housing in Tier I and II cities in India Colleges in Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad
14%-17%
Yield Rate
8
90%-93%
Occupancy rate of privately developed student housing
9,000-11,000/bed *
8. Assuming 40% of fees as operational expenses per student and the land is on long term lease with low rentals
Emerging Residential Niche Products
10
24 hours Transportation
security facilities
Wi Fi
connection
Way Forward
Government of India has set a target to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to 30% by 2020. To achieve
this, an additional capacity has to be created for 2.31 million students
Other than Tier I and II cities, Tier III cities like Jaipur, Kota, Indore, Nagpur, Bhopal and Coimbatore are also potential
markets for student housing
The next few years are likely to witness an increase in the market share of formal players. They will compete by providing
improved amenities
The initial projects are likely to target the private higher education institutions where paying capacity is higher. Several formal
players are likely to enter into partnerships with private educational institutions to set up student housing
Key players such as Your Space and Campusville, who have raised funds recently are expected to add another 50,000 new
rooms over the next 5 years
For investors, high demand supply gap and high occupancy levels make this a very attractive investment opportunity
9. Venture Intelligence
Emerging Residential Niche Products
11
Case study: Campusville Lalbagh Boys Hostel (LBH) Developed and Managed by
This location has a number of colleges in the vicinity such as Sri Bhagawan Providing high-end student living facility
Mahaveer Jain College, BMS Group of Institutions, National College and
Bangalore Institute of Technology
Total number of rooms: 54; rented either as twin sharing or triple sharing
Operating Model
Annual Lease
Criteria
maintenance app to address grievances
YOUNG
RENTERS
MICRO-UNITS
India is home to the largest population in the Generation Y cohort (25-34 years old). Also known
as the 'millennials', this cohort refers to culturally diverse, tech savvy and economically
independent urban dwellers. Their functional approach, need for flexibility and their desire for
more time and freedom define their housing needs – the compact yet functional micro-units.
Micro-units are an established phenomenon in cities like New York, Singapore and Tokyo where
land is in short supply and the cost of housing is extremely high. In India, this concept is slowly
catching up to accommodate these younger households that value privacy, aspire to live in a
space with lesser maintenance and seek homes closer to their work places and amenities
without over-burdening their finances.
28 years
Median age of Indians by 2020 making it
the youngest nation in the world
232 million 10
13.5%
One or two member HHs in South India
16.5%
Of total population in this cohort
GENERATION - Y
Culturally diverse, technology savvy,
social , comfortable with change, prefer
disposable jobs for better perks
Micro-units are defined as units with a floor area smaller than the market average sizes without compromising on the quality,
finishes and comforts of a regular apartment11. The size of a micro-unit depends on the market in which it is located. In India, the
minimum size of a dwelling unit is 30 sqm12, usually in the studio, 1 BHK and 1.5 BHK sizes.
Characteristics
1.25-2.5 acres
Typical size of development
500-1,000 beds
Operating Models
Way Forward
Micro-units are in a nascent stage but have the potential to capture at least 25% of the addressable market over the next 5
years. The demand for micro-units is expected to remain strong in the next decade due to the demographic shift and
rising property prices
Annual rental yield is in the range of 14% -17% ( without considering land cost)
Micro-units are also eligible for the income tax benefits (100% deduction of profits) subject to the condition that at least 35%
of the inventory falls under 60 sqm13 carpet area
Developers are likely to explore rental housing model in this segment over the next 1-3 years in anticipation of the National
Urban Rental Housing Policy (NURHP, 2015) which is currently awaiting cabinet clearance. This will also increase
institutional investments in this segment, there by increasing the supply
Locations in close proximity to metro stations and well connected to economic hubs and amenities would be preferred for
expansion. This product can be integrated with student housing in key micro-markets.
Located in Electronic City in close proximity to Wipro and Infosys Uniworld with
Total number of units: 785 Private Investors
It consists of double sharing units
Special top up cards provided to make it cash free campus
Room Rental*
INR 8,000-10,500 (non AC)
The tariff includes taxes, buffet breakfast, daily housekeeping, bedsheet, INR 22,500-30,000 (AC rooms)
Room Sizes
pillows and blanket
Services Provided: Wi-Fi, gym, laundry, veg/non-veg buffet dinner, games, 294 sqft to 615 sqft
lounge, movie theatre, shuttle bus service. Parking and locker facilities are
provided on extra charges every month. Development Model
Rental Housing
Total number of units: 384 units spread across 3 acres of land Property Group
It consists of compact studios, 1 BHK and 2 BHK apartments with size
specifications of 440 sqft, 690 sqft and 990 sqft respectively ₹ 4,899 #
Available amenities: Club house, swimming pool, indoor games, multi Outright Sale
purpose hall, gym, Wi-Fi zones, outdoor games, kids play area, jogging track,
lounging lawn
High speed internet access is provided at the common area and the club
house
UPGRADERS
LIVE–WORK
HOMES
As the family size increases, home buyers tend to upgrade to larger units. A small segment of
nuclear families may opt for live-work homes where one of the parents chooses to stay at home
to take care of their kids and work from home without compromising on the professional career.
30-55 years
62% Households 14
Zoning Regulations
Live - Within Type Live - Above Type Live - Behind Type Live – in- Front Type
Workplace and living Workplace below the Workplace in front of Workplace behind the
area completely overlap residential quarters residential quarters & living quarters, along a
rear part for a house rear alley
Demarcation line can be Complete demarcation
adjusted daily between the two Demarcation between Fully compatible
functions both uses is complete conventional house &
Perfect for business freestanding work
incubator Allows independent Possibility of leasing of quarters suitable for
leasing of commercial workspace to separate restricted uses
Double functioning section for limited use entity
spaces built cost Demarcation adjustable
effectively to changes in family life
UPGRADERS
MULTI
GENERATIONAL
HOMES
Families are emotionally bonded across the generations. In India, it is the common norm for both
single and married adults to live with their parents. Grandparents and grandchildren are mutually
benefitted by taking care of each other. People prefer to live close to their extended family, yet
maintain their privacy and independence.
35-55 years
27%
15
of total
Households in Southern cities
GENERATION - X
Adaptable, creative, priority to
personal life activities, sense of
ownership, affinity towards
Present day After 15 years After 30 years
technology, work life balance,
independent and self sufficient
Beginning of the new cycle
Characteristics
Way Forward
While multigenerational and live-work homes have always been a part of the Indian single-family landscape, developers have
started adopting this concept even in multi-family projects today. This trend is also catching up the world over post the financial
crisis
Although these products will only capture a tiny market share, but they can definitely be used as unique
selling propositions in projects where the target segment is upgraders
DOWNSIZERS
SENIOR
HOUSING
In the Indian context, seniors are looked after by their next generation. With younger generations
settling abroad, a significant section of senior citizens are staying alone today. With aging, it
becomes difficult for them to maintain the property that they are living in. An increasing sense of
insecurity, lack of companionship and age-related health problems in elderly citizens demand for
a sensitive approach towards housing this cohort.
India
148 million
16
In Southern cities 3%
households17
9.35% of total
population in this cohort
3.75%
SILENT GENERATION
Loyal, self-sacrificing, cautious,
conformist, conscientious,
optimists, rationalists, civic-minded
Senior living communities provide housing suitable for an aging population where all the required facilities are present within the
same campus. The facilities range from independent living to nursing care facilities based on the level of care required. Safety,
accessibility and adaptability are the key design considerations.
Level of Care
DOWNSIZERS
60-70 years 70-80 years Above 80 years
Active individuals Active individuals with Need continuous
taking care of the need of assistance medical assistance
themselves with no for daily activities and care
severe ailments
Maintenance, Security, Staff assistance for custodial care. Must have a hospital within the
Housekeeping are taken care of. campus or a tie-up with
Have a doctor facility or a small multispecialty hospitals in the
Might have a visiting doctor or a clinic near by. neighbourhood.
hospital in the vicinity.
Rise in nuclear families and improved life expectancy are the key demand drivers for Senior Housing. One senior in every 10,000
is engaged in some form of senior living in India as compared to 12 in every 100 in the USA and 4 in every 100 in Australia18.
4,000
3,600 3,400
2,900
3,000
2,600
2,000 1,080
460 240 540 340
(20%)
(12%) (8%) (15%) (10%)
1,000
0
2017 2022 2017 2022 2017 2022
Bangalore Chennai Hyderabad
Planned Projects
Shubham and Saket Pranaam
Apart from these southern cities, Mysore, Coimbatore, Covai Arete Chennai,
Pune, Kochi, Goa and Dehradun are the other preferred Covai Bengaluru Senior Living
locations
Key Operators
Covai Care, Age Ventures India, Athasri, Mantri Primus
Lifespace Pvt Ltd, Serene Senior Living, Vedanta Senior
Living, Ashiana Housing
Operating Models
Deposit Model /
Outright Sale pay back schemes Pure Rental Model
OPERATIONS &
Operator Operator Operator
MANAGEMENT
Reverse Mortgage
Introduced in 2007, Reverse Mortgage enables a senior citizen to
receive a regular source of income from a bank or a financial
institution against the mortgage of his property
In India, property ownership is considered as an inheritable subset
Ownership
In Sale model, transferred to heir after the demise of the
ideally to be handed over to heirs. Emotional attachment to the senior owner resident, however the children can reside
property and lack of awareness has resulted in negligible people after they are 55 years. No age restriction for buyer
opting for reverse mortgage
Way Forward
55 years
Minimum Age of Residents
(Owner/Tenant)
The demand for senior housing is expected to increase multi-fold
over the next few decades – with the population aged above 60 Children and relatives can stay up to a
years growing to 300 million by 2050. Lack of public sector
solutions to address the housing needs of a growing senior limited period
population has presented the private sector with a huge (2-3 months) In a year
opportunity to develop innovative models in this segment
Currently, the senior housing is in a nascent stage and the products developed are focusing on a small segment of seniors
who are able to afford high end products. However, majority of the demand in India will be created by the middle income
segments and both developers and senior housing operators are now shifting their focus on making their products
and services more affordable
Over 90% of the operational and under construction projects are independent living projects. The share of assisted living and
nursing care projects are negligible. Recent partnerships between leading international healthcare provider/s and
national senior housing operators are likely to increase supply in the assisted living and nursing care segment over
the next 5 years
Government interventions to promote affordable housing solutions for seniors through innovative financial models such as
reverse mortgage, suitable zoning regulations promoting affordable housing, tax incentives and geriatric care will
benefit this sector
Age Criteria
and activities, meals and snacks, comprehensive maintenance and
repairs of both within home and common areas and unlimited usage of
all other amenities Resident must be minimum of 55 years
Amenities
Charges (in INR) Studio 1BHK On-campus full-time doctor, nurse and
physiotherapist, on-site ambulance, Cafeteria,
Single Occupancy a library managed by JustBooks, browsing
35,000 45,000 centre, indoor games room and an outdoor
(monthly rent)
games arena, meditation hall, a temple, gym,
concierge and multipurpose hall
Double Occupancy
50,000
Configurations
(monthly rent)
Significant demand, lesser competition and resultant higher yield makes these products suitable for private developers, as
they look towards expanding their footprint beyond conventional real estate asset classes
However, addressing this vast demand supply mismatch requires a change in housing policy approaches which so far has
been promoting only the ownership models. While supply is expected to increase in the next three years on account of
benefits/subsidies available under the affordable housing policy (most of these niche products conform to the carpet area
requirements - below 30 sqm for metro and 60 sqm in non-metro cities), a robust rental housing policy will help in
significantly increasing institutional investment in these rent yielding asset classes
Rental housing products like micro-units and student housing will capture a larger share of the addressable market in
comparison to upgrader products such as live-work or multi-generational homes. Upgrader units will compete with
conventional 2 and 3 BHK units which account for the bulk of the residential supply and therefore will witness limited
growth. The focus of senior housing products will now shift towards assisted living
While products like micro-units and multi-generational homes will expand in Tier I cities, student housing and senior
housing will see growth in Tier II and III locations as well, in case of tie-ups with universities and healthcare operators
respectively. However, the focus of institutional investors would be on Tier I cities or at entity level at least for the next 3-5
years
The expansion of these products have so far been comparatively slower due to the need for specialized operational
expertise. The start-up environment in India is expected to address this issue and will also increase the reach of these niche
products in terms of marketing and sales
Demographic conditions, increased developer interest, suitable policy changes, institutional investment and technological
improvement will collectively result in a sustained demand for these niche products over the next decade
CORE TEAM
Gorakh Jhunjhunwala, MRICS Shwetha Pai, MRICS Gagandeep Chhabra
STRATEGIC
PARTNER
Ella Valley Capital , New York
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