Plinth area: Meaning, calculation, inclusion and exclusion

One of the terms that define the size of a residential or commercial property is plinth area. A proper knowledge of plinth area is important for all prospective homebuyers.

What is plinth area?

The Indian Standard (IS) 3861-2002 defines plinth area as ‘the built-up covered area measured at the floor level of the basement or of any storey’. Often used to measure the size of flats and apartments, plinth area is generally 10%-20% more than the carpet area of a house. According to IS 3861-2002, carpet area is the floor area of usable rooms.

How is plinth area measured?

Before the introduction of IS in 1966, various methods for calculating plinth and carpet areas were followed in India. According to IS, plinth area is the built-up covered area and includes areas listed in subsequent sections.

Plinth area = carpet area + wall area+ lift, shaft openings, etc.

See also: How is RERA carpet area defined?

What is included in plinth area?

1. Area of a wall at floor level, excluding plinth offsets.
2. Shafts for sanitary, water supply installations, garbage chute, telecommunication, electrical, firefighting, air-conditioning and lift.
3. Staircase.
4. Protected open verandah.
5. Balcony protected by projection.

See also: What is a ground of land in real estate?

What is not included in plinth area?

1. Area of loft.
2. Area of architectural band, cornice, etc.
3. Area of vertical sun breaker or box louver, projecting out and other architectural features, for example, slab projection for flowerpot, etc.
4. Open platform.
5. Terrace.
6. Open spiral/service staircases; and
7. Area of machine rooms, towers, turrets, domes projecting above terrace level.

See also: All about land measurement units used for calculating land area in India

What falls under plinth area and what doesn’t?

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