When purchasing a home, many buyers find that apartments with identical square footage and floor plans often have different final prices. This price variance is primarily driven by Preferential Location Charges (PLC), of which Corner Unit Charges and View Charges are the most significant components.
These premiums are not just extra costs; they reflect the added market value, lifestyle benefits, and structural advantages of a specific unit’s placement. This guide explains how these charges are determined and their impact on long-term property value.
Understanding Corner Unit Charges
A Corner Unit is an apartment situated at the edge or the end of a building’s corridor. Unlike “middle” or “sandwiched” units that share walls with neighbors on both sides, a corner unit usually shares only one common wall.
Why Corner Units Command a Premium
Real estate developers apply a Corner Unit PLC—typically ranging from ₹150 to ₹400 per sq. ft.—because these apartments provide several functional advantages:
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Superior Ventilation: Being at the edge allows for windows and balconies on two or even three sides. This facilitates natural cross-ventilation, which is highly valued in India’s climate.
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Abundant Natural Light: With more external-facing walls, corner units receive sunlight from multiple directions, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
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Enhanced Privacy: With fewer shared walls, there is significantly less noise transmission.
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Unique Layouts: Corner positions often allow for L-shaped balconies or extra window nooks. This is a common feature in luxury projects like Prestige Evergreen @ Raintree Park.
What are View Charges?
View Charges are premiums added to the price of an apartment based on what the resident sees from their windows. In the real estate industry, a “good view” is a finite resource.
Common Categories of View PLC
The rate for view charges typically ranges from ₹150 to ₹500 per sq. ft.:
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Internal View (Amenity Facing): These units overlook features like the swimming pool, landscaped gardens, or the clubhouse.
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External View (Scenic Facing): In premium locations, this includes views of a park, a lake, or a city skyline.
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Vastu View: Sometimes, views are linked to direction. For example, an East-facing view may attract a premium due to high demand for Vastu-compliant homes.
The “Negative” View
Conversely, units facing “non-preferential” areas—such as a sewage treatment plant (STP) or a busy main road—typically do not carry any View PLC and are often sold at the base selling price (BSP).
How These Charges are Calculated
Both Corner Unit and View charges are usually calculated based on the Super Built-Up Area of the property.
The Calculation Formula:
Example Scenario:
If you are buying a 1,200 sq. ft. (Super Built-Up) apartment:
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Base Price: ₹5,000 per sq. ft.
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Corner Unit PLC: ₹150 per sq. ft.
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Pool Facing PLC: ₹200 per sq. ft.
The total premium is ₹350 per sq. ft., adding $1,200 \times 350 = \text{₹}4,20,000$ to the base cost. This is a significant part of the true cost of buying an apartment in India.
Cost Impact and Financial Considerations
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Statutory Costs: GST (typically 5% for non-affordable housing), Stamp Duty, and Registration Charges are calculated on the total agreement value, including all PLCs.
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Resale and Rental Potential: Units with premium views and corner positions generally have higher liquidity and appreciate faster in the resale market.
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Maintenance: While corner units offer better light, they have more external wall exposure, which can affect cooling costs. You can learn more about how these areas are measured in our Super Built-Up vs Carpet Area guide.
Under RERA guidelines, developers must provide a clear “Cost Sheet” breaking down every component. All PLCs must be explicitly mentioned in the registered agreement to prevent post-booking price escalations.
Also Read: What Are Floor Rise Charges (FRC)? Meaning, Calculation, and Cost Impact
