Buying an apartment in Delhi means joining a residential society—a micro-community with its own rules, culture, and dynamics. Your relationship with the Resident Welfare Association (RWA), understanding of maintenance charges, participation in society decisions, and navigation of community politics significantly impact your quality of life. A well-managed society with active RWA enhances property value and living experience, while a dysfunctional society creates constant friction and depreciates property worth. This comprehensive guide explains everything about society living in Delhi—RWA functioning, maintenance calculations, legal rights, common disputes, society selection criteria, and how to be effective society member. Whether you’re buying your first apartment or upgrading, mastering society dynamics is essential for peaceful, enjoyable community living.
Understanding RWA: Structure and Functions
The Resident Welfare Association is the governing body managing your society—knowing how it works helps you engage effectively.
Legal Status and Formation: RWA is registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 or Companies Act as not-for-profit organization. Mandatory for societies with 100+ apartments in Delhi; smaller complexes also form RWAs voluntarily. RWA has governing body (President, Secretary, Treasurer) elected by society members typically for 2-3 year terms. Constitution/bye-laws define RWA’s powers, election process, membership rights, and operational rules. Every apartment owner is automatic RWA member—membership isn’t optional. RWA registration number and certificate should be publicly displayed—verify RWA is legally registered when buying property.
Core Responsibilities: Maintaining common areas—lobbies, corridors, staircases, lifts, terrace, basement parking. Managing utilities—electricity for common areas, water supply, sewage treatment, garbage disposal. Security arrangements—guards, CCTV systems, access control, visitor management. Amenity management—gym equipment, swimming pool, clubhouse, parks, playgrounds. Financial management—collecting maintenance, managing society bank accounts, approving expenditures. Rule enforcement—parking violations, noise complaints, construction activity approval, pet policies. Dispute resolution—mediating neighbor conflicts, vendor issues, facility usage conflicts.
RWA Meetings and Decision Making: Annual General Meeting (AGM) mandatory once yearly—approves accounts, elects governing body, discusses major issues. Special General Meetings called for urgent matters—maintenance increase, major repairs, rule changes. Governing body meetings (monthly typically)—handle routine operational decisions. Quorum requirements—minimum member percentage needed for valid decisions (usually 25-33%). Voting procedures—one apartment, one vote typically; some societies give weighted votes based on apartment size. Meeting minutes should be documented and shared with all members—transparency is crucial. Members have right to access meeting minutes, financial statements, important documents—RWA must provide these.
Member Rights and Obligations: Rights include: Voting in elections and on important society decisions, accessing common facilities as per rules, reviewing society financial records and meeting minutes, raising issues and grievances with RWA, contesting elections for governing body positions. Obligations include: Paying maintenance charges on time, following society rules and regulations, respecting common property and neighbor rights, participating in meetings and community activities, supporting RWA in maintaining society standards. Balance between rights and obligations creates functional community—only demanding rights while ignoring obligations creates friction.
Maintenance Charges: Understanding the Numbers
Maintenance fees are your second-largest monthly housing expense after EMI—understanding calculation and management is crucial.
What Maintenance Covers: Fixed costs: Salaries for security guards, housekeeping staff, maintenance workers, gardeners, accountant. Utility bills: Electricity for common areas (lights, lifts, gym, pool), water supply charges, sewage treatment plant operation. Regular maintenance: Cleaning common areas, lift servicing, generator maintenance, painting common areas, gardening and landscaping. Sinking fund contribution: Reserved for major future expenses—building painting, lift replacement, roof waterproofing. Management expenses: RWA administration, legal fees, insurance, software systems, misc office expenses.
Calculation Methods: Per square foot basis: ₹2-8 per sq ft monthly depending on amenities. Example: 1,000 sq ft apartment pays ₹2,000-8,000 monthly. Simple and proportional—larger apartments pay more. Flat rate per apartment: ₹3,000-15,000 per apartment regardless of size. Same for 2BHK and 4BHK—creates inequity as larger apartments consume more services. Per bedroom basis: ₹1,500-5,000 per bedroom monthly. 2BHK pays ₹3,000-10,000, 3BHK pays ₹4,500-15,000. Middle ground between flat rate and square footage. Most modern societies use per square foot as most equitable method—those consuming more space/resources pay proportionally more.
Typical Maintenance Ranges in Delhi: Budget societies (older buildings, minimal amenities): ₹1.5-3 per sq ft = ₹1,500-3,000 for 1,000 sq ft apartment. Mid-range societies (gated, security, basic amenities): ₹3-5 per sq ft = ₹3,000-5,000 monthly. Premium societies (gym, pool, clubhouse, professional management): ₹5-8 per sq ft = ₹5,000-8,000 monthly. Ultra-premium (multiple pools, sports facilities, concierge services): ₹8-15 per sq ft = ₹8,000-15,000+ monthly. These ranges exclude parking charges (₹500-2,000 monthly additional) and special assessments for major repairs.
Sinking Fund Explained: Separate corpus built for major future expenses—think of it as society’s emergency fund. Typically 10-20% of monthly maintenance goes to sinking fund. Example: ₹5,000 monthly maintenance might include ₹750 sinking fund contribution. Sinking fund accumulates over years—₹750 × 12 months × 200 apartments = ₹18 lakhs annually. Used for: Building exterior painting (every 5-7 years), lift modernization/replacement, terrace waterproofing, major plumbing/electrical overhauls, society boundary wall repairs, road resurfacing. Societies without adequate sinking funds impose special assessments (₹10,000-50,000 one-time) when major work needed—creates financial shock for residents.
Penalty for Late Payment: Most societies charge 1-2% monthly late fee on overdue maintenance. ₹5,000 maintenance delayed 3 months = ₹5,000 × 3 = ₹15,000 principal + ₹450-900 late fee. Chronic defaulters (6+ months overdue) face: Disconnection of water/electricity supply to apartment (controversial but some societies do this), denial of common facility access—gym, pool, clubhouse cards cancelled, legal notices and eventual small claims court cases, difficulty in selling property as society refuses NOC. Societies maintain defaulter lists—visible to potential buyers during due diligence, affecting resale value.
Requesting Maintenance Audit: Members can request detailed maintenance expense breakdown at AGM or through written application. RWA must provide: Month-wise income (maintenance collected, interest earned, other revenue), month-wise expenses (salaries, utilities, repairs, vendor payments), bank statements showing all transactions, current balance and sinking fund status, pending dues from members and vendors. Professional societies hire chartered accountant for annual audit—ensures transparency and prevents misappropriation. If RWA refuses disclosure or shows suspicious patterns, members can approach Registrar of Societies (government authority overseeing RWAs) for intervention.
Common Society Rules and Regulations
Every society has rules governing resident behavior—understanding and following these prevents conflicts.
Parking Regulations: Designated parking slots—typically one covered slot per apartment, additional slots purchased separately. Visitor parking restrictions—limited spots, time limits (typically 2-4 hours), overnight visitor parking requires permission. No parking zones—fire lane, society entrance/exit, near water tanks, ambulance access routes strictly enforced. Vehicle type restrictions—some societies ban commercial vehicles, auto-rickshaws, large trucks entering society. Parking violations—fines of ₹200-1,000 per violation, repeated violations may lead to towing or denial of parking rights. Disputes over parking are #1 source of society conflicts—respect rules and designated spots religiously.
Construction and Renovation Rules: Prior RWA approval mandatory for any structural changes—wall demolition, bathroom relocation, balcony enclosure. Permitted hours: Typically 10 AM – 5 PM on weekdays, restricted or banned on Sundays and holidays. Material storage and debris removal—contractors must keep common areas clean, remove debris daily. Lift usage for construction material—usually restricted to specific hours, cleaning mandatory after use. Noise levels—drilling, hammering activities must respect quiet hours. Violations: Fines ₹5,000-25,000 for unapproved work, forced reversal of unauthorized structural changes. Get written RWA approval before starting any renovation—verbal permission is unenforceable if disputes arise.
Pet Policies: Most societies allow pets but with conditions: Registration of pet with society office, vaccination records updated annually, dogs on leash in common areas, designated walking areas—usually society periphery not main pathways, cleaning up after pet—owners responsible for waste disposal, noise control—barking complaints addressed seriously. Large/aggressive breed restrictions—some societies ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans. Violations: Warnings, fines ₹500-2,000, persistent issues may lead to restrictions. Extreme cases: Society may enforce pet removal (legally challenging but happens in practice). Pet owners should be exemplary residents—controlling pets, cleaning diligently, preventing nuisance—to maintain pet-friendly environment.
Noise and Quiet Hours: General quiet hours: 10 PM – 8 AM on weekdays, 11 PM – 9 AM on weekends typically. During these hours: No loud music, parties, TV at high volume, vacuum cleaning, washing machines, construction activity. Festival exceptions: Diwali, Holi, New Year typically have relaxed rules—but still reasonable limits. Party permission: Hosting events requires advance RWA notification, may require ₹2,000-10,000 refundable deposit against noise complaints. Violations: Warnings, fines ₹1,000-5,000, repeated violations may lead to legal complaints. Habitual noise violators become society pariahs—creates long-term living discomfort.
Guest and Tenant Policies: Overnight guests: Registration at security gate mandatory with ID proof verification. Extended guests (7+ days): RWA notification required, sometimes permission needed for stays beyond 15-30 days. Tenant registration: Landlords must provide tenant details to RWA, police verification mandatory within 24 hours (Delhi law requirement). Tenant behavioral issues: RWA can complain to landlord; persistent problems may restrict future tenant permissions. Short-term rentals (Airbnb, OYO): Many societies ban or heavily restrict these due to security concerns and community disruption. Verify society’s tenant policy before buying investment property—some societies effectively ban tenants through restrictive rules.
Common Area Usage: Balcony and terrace restrictions: No unauthorized structures, drying clothes on front balconies banned in premium societies, terrace access may be locked or time-restricted. Corridor usage: No shoe racks, planters, or personal items in common corridors—fire safety and aesthetics. Basement and parking: Only for parking vehicles, no storage of personal items, materials, or commercial goods. Garden and playground: Designated hours, children’s play equipment usage supervised, no damage to plants/grass. Community hall and gym: Booking systems for exclusive use, guest policies vary, equipment damage costs borne by violator. Respecting common areas as shared property creates harmonious living—treating as personal extension creates conflicts.
Selecting the Right Society: Pre-Purchase Evaluation
Before buying apartment, thoroughly evaluate the society—your daily life depends more on society quality than apartment specifics.
Physical Infrastructure Assessment: Visit society 2-3 times at different times—morning, evening, weekend—observing maintenance quality. Check: Cleanliness of lobbies, corridors, staircases, garbage collection area; functional lifts with recent servicing records visible; working water supply with adequate pressure even on top floors; security systems—CCTV cameras operational, guards alert and professional; common area lighting—well-lit pathways, staircases, parking at night; building exterior condition—fresh paint, no visible seepage or structural cracks; landscaping maintenance—trimmed lawns, watered plants, no dead/diseased trees. Poor physical maintenance indicates weak RWA—will only deteriorate further unless management changes.
Financial Health Review: Request to see last 2-3 years of society financial statements—well-run RWAs provide transparently. Analyze: Income vs expenses—society should operate in surplus or balanced budget, not persistent deficit. Sinking fund balance—should be ₹5-15 lakhs per 100 apartments minimum; inadequate corpus signals future special assessments. Dues collection rate—80%+ members paying on time indicates financially disciplined community; 60% or lower suggests collection problems. Pending liabilities—major debts to contractors, vendors, utilities indicate financial mismanagement. Maintenance increase history—frequent hikes (every 6-12 months) suggest poor budgeting or misappropriation. Red flag: RWA refusing to share financial information or showing defensive attitude about finances.
Resident Satisfaction Survey: Talk to 4-5 current residents—mix of long-time residents (5+ years) and recent buyers (1-2 years). Ask about: Overall satisfaction with society living, RWA responsiveness to complaints and issues, maintenance quality and value for money, any chronic problems (water, electricity, security), neighbor relations and community culture, disputes or controversies in recent past, reasons some residents sell and leave. Long-time residents reveal authentic experience—new residents may still be in honeymoon phase. Residents eager to sell should raise suspicions—what problems are they escaping?
Security and Safety Evaluation: Observe security measures: Guard alertness—actively checking visitors or watching phone/sleeping? CCTV coverage—comprehensive or just decorative cameras at gate? Access control—visitor logging, delivery verification, service staff checking? Vehicle management—all vehicles tagged, unknown vehicles questioned? Emergency preparedness—fire extinguishers visible and serviced, emergency exits clearly marked, ambulance access unobstructed? Night security—adequate guards on duty, well-lit premises. Society with lax security isn’t just uncomfortable—creates actual danger to residents and property. Verify recent theft/incident history—persistent security issues indicate systemic problems.
Rule Enforcement and Governance: Inquire about controversial rules and their enforcement. Societies with clear rules consistently enforced are better than those with vague rules randomly enforced. Ask about: Recent rule violations and how RWA handled—shows enforcement seriousness. Pending disputes—multiple ongoing conflicts indicate dysfunctional governance. AGM participation rate—higher attendance (50%+) shows engaged community; low participation (20% or less) suggests resident apathy. Election process—competitive elections show healthy democracy; uncontested or cancelled elections signal governance problems. Member grievance handling—is there proper channel and responsiveness?
Society Culture and Demographics: Observe resident profile during visits: Family composition—predominantly families, working professionals, retirees, students? Age groups—young families, middle-aged, seniors? Cultural diversity—cosmopolitan mix or homogeneous community? Lifestyle patterns—active community life or everyone isolated? Owner-occupier ratio—higher owner occupation (70%+) creates more committed, stable community; high tenant ratio (60%+) brings transience. The community should match your lifestyle—young family with children needs playmate options; retiree needs quiet, mature community; working professional needs flexible, cosmopolitan environment. Culture mismatch creates constant friction—introvert in party-heavy society or vice versa leads to dissatisfaction.
Active Society Participation: Being Good Resident
Your engagement level significantly impacts your living experience and property value.
Attending Society Meetings: AGMs are important—budget approval, elections, major decisions happen here. Attend armed with questions about finances, pending issues, planned projects. Raise concerns constructively—”I noticed X problem, what’s the plan to address it?” not “You people are useless!” Special meetings on critical topics (maintenance hike, major repair) need your input—decisions affect your wallet. Monthly meetings (if open to members) keep you informed about ongoing issues. Voting in elections thoughtfully—research candidates’ plans and track records, don’t vote based on personal friendships. Active attendance shows RWA that residents are engaged—prevents complacency and potential mismanagement.
Contributing Beyond Maintenance: Volunteer for committees—cultural events, sports, maintenance, security, finance. Even few hours monthly contribution helps. Brings you in decision-making loop and builds community connections. Leverage your professional skills—CA can help audit, lawyer can review contracts, engineer can assess maintenance issues. Society benefits from expertise while you understand operations deeply. Organize community activities—festival celebrations, fitness groups, book clubs. Creates social bonds making society feel like community, not just building. However, balance involvement—don’t become busybody interfering in everything. Strategic, skill-based contribution is most valuable.
Responsible Complaint Management: Report issues properly through designated channels—email, complaint register, WhatsApp group (if official). Document complaints with dates, photos if applicable—creates accountability. Follow up periodically if unresolved but avoid harassing RWA daily. Distinguish urgent (lift breakdown, water leak) from routine (paint touch-up needed). Acknowledge when issues are resolved—positive feedback motivates RWA/staff. If systemic problems persist despite complaints, escalate through proper channels—AGM agenda, written complaint to President/Secretary, registrar of societies if gross mismanagement. Constant complaining without using proper channels labels you as difficult resident—undermines legitimate concerns.
Being Good Neighbor: Respect boundaries—literal (property lines, parking slots) and behavioral (noise, privacy). Proactive communication about potential disturbances—”We’re hosting party Saturday, apologize for any noise.” Helps tolerance. Small courtesies—holding elevator, helping with groceries, watering plants when neighbor travels. Build goodwill for times you need accommodation. Addressing issues directly before involving RWA—talk to noisy neighbor first; escalate only if no improvement. RWA involvement should be last resort, not first response. Participating in neighbor social activities—chai, festivals, informal gatherings. Strong neighbor relations make problems easier to resolve informally.
Payment Discipline: Pay maintenance on auto-debit by 5th of month—never late, never partial. This single action establishes you as responsible resident. Makes RWA receptive when you raise issues or need favors. If financially struggling temporarily, communicate with RWA proactively—arrange payment plan before default. Society facing defaulters sympathizes with transparent members, punishes silent defaulters. Maintain buffer—if maintenance is ₹5,000, keep ₹10,000 in that account ensuring any unexpected charge (parking fine, special assessment) doesn’t cause bounce.
Handling Society Disputes and Conflicts
Even in well-managed societies, conflicts arise—navigating them maturely maintains peace and property value.
Common Conflict Types: Parking disputes—someone using your slot, double-parking blocking exit, visitor parking conflicts. These are most common and emotionally charged. Noise complaints—late-night parties, loud music, construction disturbances creating neighbor friction. Pet issues—barking dogs, unleashed pets, waste management failures bothering non-pet owners. Construction violations—unauthorized structural changes, rule-violating renovations affecting neighbors. Maintenance disagreements—opposition to hikes, disputes over expense priorities, transparency demands. RWA governance conflicts—election disputes, corruption allegations, rule enforcement inconsistency. Security incidents—theft, unauthorized access, guard negligence leading to problems.
Resolution Hierarchy: Level 1 – Direct communication: Talk to involved party directly, calmly explaining issue and seeking resolution. 70% of conflicts resolve here if approached maturely. Level 2 – Neighbor mediation: If direct communication fails, request mutual neighbor to mediate informally. Sometimes neutral third party helps both sides see each other’s perspective. Level 3 – RWA intervention: Raise complaint formally with RWA if informal resolution fails. RWA investigates and mediates or enforces rules. Level 4 – Legal notice: For serious violations (major unauthorized construction, persistent harassment), send legal notice through lawyer. Often resolves issues as people fear legal escalation. Level 5 – Court/police: Last resort for serious matters—property damage, threats, assault, major fraud. Small claims court for financial disputes, police for criminal matters. Escalating too quickly (jumping to Level 4-5 immediately) creates permanent enmity. Staying too long at Level 1 (tolerating serious violations endlessly) enables wrongdoers.
Effective Complaint Documentation: Written record crucial for serious disputes. Maintain log: Date, time, incident description, witnesses if any, photos/videos if applicable, previous communications about issue. Email complaints to RWA (not just verbal or WhatsApp) creating official trail. CC multiple RWA members (President, Secretary, Treasurer) ensuring visibility. Keep copies of all correspondence—RWA responses, notices sent, meeting minutes mentioning issue. Request written responses—”verbal assurance” evaporates when issue recurs. If legal action becomes necessary, this documentation is crucial evidence.
When to Compromise vs Stand Firm: Compromise on: Minor issues (someone parked in your slot once due to emergency), aesthetic preferences (holiday decoration disputes, paint color disagreements), convenience issues (slightly loud gathering on occasional weekend). Stand firm on: Safety violations (blocked fire exits, dangerous construction practices), repeated harassment or rule violations despite complaints, financial fraud or serious mismanagement, illegal activities (unauthorized commercial use, safety hazards). Knowing difference prevents being labeled as difficult person while protecting legitimate rights. Building reputation as reasonable person who escalates only for genuine issues gives your serious complaints more weight.
RWA Elections and Governance Participation
RWA leadership significantly impacts your living experience—engage thoughtfully in elections.
Understanding Candidacy: Eligibility: Must be society member (owner, not tenant in most societies), no major maintenance dues outstanding (some societies require full clearance), not convicted of crimes (varies by society constitution). Term limits: Typically 2-3 year terms, some societies limit consecutive terms preventing indefinite control. Nomination process: Self-nomination or nomination by members, usually requires 2-3 member seconders, advance notice period (15-30 days before elections). Campaign restrictions: Some societies ban door-to-door campaigning, restrict spending, require manifesto submission. Understand your society’s constitution before considering candidacy or supporting candidates.
Evaluating Candidates: Track record: What have they achieved in previous roles (if incumbents) or other society positions? Specific plans: Vague promises (“will improve everything”) versus concrete proposals (“will install LED lights reducing electricity bill by ₹30,000 monthly”). Time commitment: RWA work requires 5-10 hours weekly minimum—do they have time given job/business? Financial transparency: How do they plan to manage money, improve financial health? Conflict of interest: Any vendor relationships, personal agendas beyond society welfare? Character assessment: Are they consensus-builders or divisive personalities? Prior conflicts: History of disputes with neighbors raises red flags about temperament. Vote for substance and character, not friendship or same-floor neighbor loyalty.
Supporting Good Governance: Appreciate and publicly acknowledge good RWA work—motivates volunteers who serve without pay. Defend RWA against unfair criticism while holding them accountable for legitimate failures. Provide constructive feedback: “Lighting improvement was great, can we address parking next?” instead of only complaints. Recommend capable individuals for RWA positions—expand talent pool beyond usual suspects. Resist forming factions and gossip groups—this poison kills society morale and creates dysfunction. Remember RWA members are volunteers—they deserve respect even when you disagree with decisions. However, volunteerism doesn’t excuse incompetence, corruption, or dictatorial behavior—hold them accountable professionally.
When RWA Becomes Problematic: Signs of serious dysfunction: Persistent financial irregularities despite member complaints, refusal to share financial information or hold elections, selective rule enforcement favoring some residents, chronic maintenance failures with diverted funds, authoritarian behavior suppressing member voices. Remedies: Form concerned citizens group mobilizing majority support, requisition Special General Meeting forcing discussion, file complaint with Registrar of Societies (government oversight), vote out problematic leadership in next elections, legal action for fraud or major violations. Nuclear option: Society dissolution and reformation (extremely rare, very complicated). Most situations resolve through persistent member engagement and electoral change—rarely require legal intervention.
Society Amenities: Maximizing Value
You’re paying for amenities through maintenance—use them optimally.
Gym and Fitness Facilities: Typical society gym has: Treadmills, exercise bikes, some weights, maybe cross-trainer. Not equivalent to commercial gym but serviceable. Book slots if required, respect time limits, wipe equipment after use, report broken equipment, don’t monopolize popular machines during peak hours. Many residents never use gym despite paying for it—even 2-3 weekly sessions improves fitness and maximizes maintenance value. If gym is consistently poorly equipped, raise at AGM requesting better investment.
Swimming Pool Management: Seasonal operation (April-September typically in Delhi), membership cards or resident ID required, guest policies vary—some allow, others restrict, timings segregated—men, women, children, family time slots. Maintenance is expensive—filtration, chemicals, cleaning staff—ensure pool usage justifies cost if you’re paying. Swimming pools significantly boost property values—buyers pay premium for societies with pools even if they don’t swim.
Clubhouse and Community Halls: Booking systems—typically first-come-first-served or lottery for popular dates. Charges—free for residents in some societies, ₹2,000-10,000 rental in others. Capacity limits, timing restrictions, cleanup requirements. Ideal for birthday parties, small functions, community events. Under-utilized amenity—many residents unaware they can book or don’t know process. Check availability and booking procedure—useful for events instead of expensive external venues.
Parks and Playgrounds: Open spaces valuable for children’s play, morning walks, evening relaxation. Usually free access during designated hours, active management (RWA or volunteer committees) organizing activities. Pet walking policies determine park access—some societies restrict dogs in children’s play areas. Landscaping quality directly correlates with maintenance discipline—well-kept gardens indicate overall society health. Societies with substantial green cover command 5-10% property premium—verified through comparable sales.
Sports Facilities: Badminton/tennis courts if society has space, booking systems to ensure fair access, equipment provided or bring-your-own varies, coaching classes organized by RWA or resident volunteers. Even table tennis, foosball tables create community engagement. Usage tends to be sporadic—active periods followed by abandonment—requires community culture promoting fitness. Lobby for desired facilities at AGM if membership shows interest and finances permit.
Conclusion: Society as Extended Home
Your apartment is your private space, but the society is your extended home where you’ll spend years or decades. The RWA efficiency, neighbor relations, rule adherence, and community culture collectively determine your quality of life far more than apartment interiors or fixtures.
Selecting society carefully during purchase prevents years of frustration. Participating actively after purchase makes good societies better and helps fix struggling societies. Your engagement level directly impacts property values—well-managed societies with involved residents see stronger appreciation and faster sales than dysfunctional societies even in same locations.
Remember that society living requires balancing individual rights with community welfare. You’re not in independent house where “my property, my rules” applies fully. Compromise, cooperation, and consideration create harmonious communities where everyone thrives. Rigid assertion of individual preferences without regard to neighbors creates conflict-ridden environments nobody enjoys.
Invest time in understanding your society, participating in governance, building neighbor relationships, and contributing to community welfare. These soft factors deliver returns measurable in daily happiness, property value appreciation, and sense of belonging. A great society turns your apartment from mere property into a true home within caring community—and that’s priceless.