Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions in life. However, many homebuyers often feel cheated when they realize that the actual usable space of their property is much less than what was promised. The confusion arises mainly due to misleading property area terms used by builders, such as super built-up area, built-up area, and carpet area. To solve this issue, RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) has introduced a standardized definition of RERA carpet area, ensuring transparency in real estate transactions.
If you understand the mathematics behind carpet area calculation, you will never fall into the trap of misleading promises. Let’s break down what RERA carpet area means and how it affects your property purchase.
What is Carpet Area in Real Estate?
Before RERA came into existence, builders used different ways to define the property area, often inflating the numbers to show more space than what a buyer actually gets. This is where the concept of carpet area plays a crucial role.
Carpet area refers to the actual usable area inside the apartment where you can lay a carpet. In simple terms, it is the floor area within the internal walls of your house. This does not include the thickness of walls, balconies, common areas, or any external space.
Definition of RERA Carpet Area
According to RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) guidelines, carpet area is defined as:
“The net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah area, and exclusive open terrace area, but including the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment.”
This definition ensures uniformity and protects buyers from misleading property measurements.
Difference Between Carpet Area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area
Homebuyers often come across different terms like built-up area and super built-up area while dealing with property purchases. Understanding these terms will help you make an informed decision.
1. Carpet Area (RERA Defined)
- The actual usable area inside the house.
- Includes internal partition walls.
- Does not include balconies, terraces, external walls, or common areas.
- The space where you can actually move around and place furniture.
2. Built-Up Area
- Includes carpet area plus the thickness of walls and other unusable spaces.
- May also include balconies and terraces attached to the unit.
- Built-up area is usually 10-15% more than the carpet area.
3. Super Built-Up Area (SBA)
- Includes carpet area, built-up area, and a proportionate share of common areas like lobbies, lifts, corridors, staircases, and clubhouses.
- Used by builders to calculate the price per square foot, which often leads to confusion.
- Super built-up area is usually 25-40% more than the carpet area.
Example Calculation:
If a builder advertises a flat of 1,200 sq. ft. (super built-up area):
- The built-up area might be around 900-950 sq. ft.
- The actual carpet area might be only 750-800 sq. ft.
So, while you might think you are paying for 1,200 sq. ft., your actual usable space is much lower.
How RERA Carpet Area Protects Homebuyers
Before RERA, builders used super built-up area to attract buyers with lower per square foot rates while hiding the actual usable space. With the introduction of RERA, developers are now legally required to sell apartments based on carpet area only, making pricing transparent and fair.
Here’s how RERA carpet area regulations benefit homebuyers:
- Standardized Calculation: Every builder follows the same carpet area definition, avoiding manipulation.
- Transparent Pricing: Buyers pay only for what they actually get, preventing hidden costs.
- Legal Protection: RERA mandates that all builders disclose carpet area in official project documents.
- Fair Comparison: Buyers can compare different properties based on actual usable space, not inflated super built-up areas.
- Clear Agreements: Builders must mention carpet area in the agreement, preventing false promises.
How to Calculate the Carpet Area of Your Flat?
To ensure that you are getting the correct carpet area, follow these steps:
- Check the RERA Registration Details: Every registered real estate project must mention the carpet area of the units.
- Verify Floor Plan: Ask for the detailed floor plan from the builder, which shows the internal layout and room dimensions.
- Use a Simple Formula:
Carpet Area = Built-Up Area – Wall Thickness – Balconies – Open Terraces
- Measure It Yourself: If possible, use a measuring tape to cross-check the dimensions given in the floor plan.
Common Tricks Builders Use to Manipulate Area Calculations
Even with RERA regulations, some builders try to mislead buyers. Here are some common tricks to be aware of:
- Inflated Super Built-Up Area: Some builders still advertise using super built-up area to show a lower price per sq. ft.
- Including Balcony in Carpet Area: Some developers wrongly include balconies and verandahs in carpet area.
- Not Mentioning Wall Thickness Clearly: The difference between external and internal walls can be hidden in calculations.
- Selling Based on Approximate Carpet Area: Some builders mention ‘approximate carpet area’ to allow flexibility in final measurements.
Always insist on clear documentation and verification to avoid being misled.
Understanding RERA carpet area is crucial when purchasing a property. By knowing the difference between carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area, you can ensure that you are paying only for the space you actually get. With RERA regulations in place, homebuyers now have greater transparency, making real estate transactions fairer and more secure. Always check project details, verify measurements, and compare properties based on carpet area before making a purchase decision.
