Indian expats in UAE are paying more for property back home, and getting less space

Dubai: If you're an Indian expat based in the UAE and regularly looking to buy an apartment back home, here's something you may not have factored in—you're now paying for a lot more space that you don’t actually live in.

According to new data from property consultancy ANAROCK, the average 'loading' in top Indian cities has jumped to 40% in early 2025, up from 31% in 2019. That means only 60% of the space you're paying for is actually inside your flat—the rest covers common areas like lobbies, lifts, clubhouses and corridors.

For example, in Mumbai, the city with the highest loading, only 57% of your apartment’s super built-up area is carpet space. Bengaluru and Delhi NCR aren’t far behind, both now seeing average loading at 41%.

‘Loading’ is the difference between the super built-up area (what you're charged for) and the carpet area (the part you can actually use). So if you’re buying a 1,000 sq. ft apartment with 40% loading, only 600 sq. ft is livable.

While modern amenities like gyms, rooftop gardens, and stylish lobbies may boost property value and appeal, they also shrink your actual home space.

"Earlier, a 30% loading was standard," says Dr. Prashant Thakur from ANAROCK. “But now, expectations for lifestyle upgrades have made 40% the new norm.”

For investors—especially those not living in the home—this could mean higher costs per usable square foot, possibly affecting rental yields and resale value.

If you're after better bang for your buck, Chennai may be worth considering. It has the lowest average loading among top cities at 36%. Homebuyers there still prioritise usable living space over clubhouses and large lobbies.

At the same time, India’s central bank has slashed the repo rate to 5.5%, making borrowing cheaper for both buyers and developers. This move, paired with a cut in the cash reserve ratio (CRR), is expected to boost liquidity and make home loans more attractive.

That’s good news for UAE-based end-user buyers and NRIs looking for deals in the affordable or mid-income segments. These categories had taken a hit during the pandemic, but lower interest rates could bring back demand and help unsold inventory clear faster.

So, should you buy now? If you’re investing in India from the UAE:

As the market evolves, the smart investor isn’t just looking at size—but how much of that size actually counts.