Under RERA (2016), carpet area is the net usable floor area within the inner walls of a flat — it excludes the external walls, the balcony/verandah, and any common areas, but includes internal partition walls. It is smaller than built-up area (carpet + walls) and super built-up area (built-up + a share of common areas), and it is the area you actually use.
Carpet area vs built-up vs super built-up area
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Carpet area | Net usable area inside the inner walls (excludes external walls, balcony, common areas) |
| Built-up area | Carpet area + the area of the walls + balcony |
| Super built-up area | Built-up area + your share of common areas (lobby, stairs, amenities) |
How carpet area definition changed with RERA (new RERA Carpet Area)
The Real Estate Act has made it mandatory for developers to disclose the carpet area of the apartments they sell.
Let’s take a look at the definition of carpet area and more importantly how it will affect home buyers.
The area of a property was calculated in many different ways – carpet area (pre RERA), built-up area, saleable area and super built-up area. When it comes to buying a property, this can lead to a lot of confusion and more importantly a huge difference between what you pay and what you actually get.
According to the provisions of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), it is now the bound duty of a developer, to make buyers aware of the carpet area and quote prices based only on this and not the super built-up area.
What was the carpet area (pre RERA) definition and how is it different from super built-up area?
Carpet area, is the area where one can spread a carpet. Built-up area includes the carpet area, plus the extra areas certified by the authorities, such as the area of the outer and inner walls, dry balcony area, etc.
Super built-up area, on the other hand, includes the carpet area, the built-up area, as well as a share of the balance common area, such as the stairs, lobbies and clubhouse, etc. Which can be used by all the residents.
Carpet Area under RERA
According to the RERA, 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 includes the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment’.
In lay man’s terms – Anything inside the outer walls of an apartment, but excluding the open balconies, verandah or open terrace and shafts.
Mandatory disclosure of carpet area and its impact
Buyers will now understand the exact measurement of the flat they can reasonably expect to receive from the developer. Furthermore, they will know exactly what part of the flat is included in carpet area and what part is included in verandas and terraces. Additionally, developers will have to be more stringent in planning their projects, to ensure exact rendition of plans to actual carpet area.
The earlier practice of including balcony, terrace, verandas, flower beds and void spaces within the meaning of carpet area, will now come to an end.
Property rates per sft (notionally), will go up, because the total price of the apartment will be now ne divided by a lower denominator (carpet area, as against super built-up area). But it has been seen that builders are now explaining the additional areas that are part of the apartment and adding their cost – for example, Open Balcony etc.
Nemmadi blogs on RERA have more discussions on RERA and how things can be mis-represented. There is also a blog on “Are you paying more than your carpet area is?” Most importantly “Is your home demolition safe?”
Videos explaining more about RERA Carpet Area
What is Carpet Area? Why is Carpet Area important? What does RERA say about Carpet Area?
How does RERA help me?
Sources
https://housing.com/news/carpet-area-definition-changes-rera/
Frequently asked questions
What is RERA carpet area?
Carpet area under RERA is the net usable floor area within the inner walls of a flat, excluding external walls, balcony, and common areas. It is the area you actually use and is what builders must now quote.
Does carpet area include the balcony?
No. Under RERA, carpet area excludes the balcony/verandah and the external walls. It includes the internal partition walls within the flat.
What is the difference between carpet area and super built-up area?
Carpet area is the usable area inside your walls. Super built-up area adds the wall thickness plus your share of common areas (lobbies, stairs, amenities), so it is significantly larger than carpet area.
