Understanding the terms carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area is essential when purchasing property. These measurements define the actual space you get within your home and how much you’re paying for it. Knowing the difference between these terms can help you make informed decisions when buying real estate. Read on to explore these concepts in detail.
What is carpet area?
Carpet area is that area in the flat which you could cover using a carpet. It is also known as the net usable area. According to the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), carpet area is ‘the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the external walls but including the area covered by internal partition walls of the apartment’. Under the government’s PMAY programme, carpet area is defined as the area enclosed within the walls and the actual area to lay the carpet.
Formula to calculate carpet area
Carpet area = Area of bedroom + living room + balconies + toilets – the thickness of the inner walls
See also: How is RERA carpet area defined?
Importance of carpet area
The carpet area gives the buyer a realistic picture of how much space they would actually have to live. For the benefit of the buyer, it is crucial that the price of the property is calculated on this measuring benchmark and not on built-up area of super built-up area.
Also, during property valuation, banks take into account the carpet area of the property to arrive at its worth, and offers loans based on that.
What is built-up area?
The built-up area in a flat is its carpet area, plus the space taken by the walls. The build-up area in a flat also includes other unusable areas like balcony, terrace, flower beds, etc. This is why the space in a flat would seem larger when it is expressed in build-up area terms.
Formula to calculate built-up area
Built-up area = Carpet area + area of walls + area of balcony
Importance of built-up area
While the carpet area represents the actual usable floor space within the confines of the walls, the built-up area includes the carpet area plus the area covered by walls, ducts, balconies, and other structural elements. Understanding the built-up area gives a more holistic view of the total space available within the property. Also, the built-up area plays a significant role in determining the cost of a property.
What is super built-up area?
Super built-up area is the built-up area of the property, along with the proportionate area of the common facilities in the housing project. These facilities may include the lobby, the lift shaft, the stairs, the swimming pool, the garden, the park and clubhouse, etc. Developers arrive at the super-built up area of a unit by way of adding the total built-up area with the area occupied by common areas, including the corridor, the lift lobby, the elevator, etc. In some cases, builders even include amenities such as pools, gardens and clubhouses, in the common area.
Formula to calculate super built-up area
Super built-up area = Built-up area + proportionate common area
Or
Super built-up area = Carpet area (1+loading factor)
Importance of super built-up area
The super built-up area provides a more comprehensive understanding of the total space that a buyer or tenant will have access to, including the common areas and amenities. This helps in evaluating the overall cost of the property or rental, as it accounts for both the individual unit space and the shared facilities.
What is RERA carpet area?
The RERA carpet area, as defined by the RERA Act 2016, refers to the net usable floor space within a property, excluding external areas, common spaces, and exclusive balcony, veranda, or open terrace areas. However, it includes the space occupied by internal partition walls.
Note: The term “exclusive balcony or veranda area” refers to a space attached to the apartment that is meant for the exclusive use of the owner, while the “exclusive open terrace area” is the open terrace space linked to the apartment, also for the exclusive use of the allottee.
RERA carpet area vs carpet area
The primary difference between RERA carpet area and general carpet area lies in how internal partition walls are accounted for. The RERA carpet area includes the thickness of these walls, while the general carpet area does not. As a result, the RERA carpet area is typically about 5% larger than the general carpet area.
Covered area vs carpet area
The covered area encompasses all spaces within the property’s boundaries that are under a roof, including living areas as well as spaces corridors. In contrast, the carpet area pertains to the usable floor space within the walls, excluding the space occupied by walls and balconies.
Covered area vs built-up area
Covered area refers to the part of the property that is physically covered by a roof. It includes all spaces like rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area under the roof but does not include balconies, terraces, or other open spaces. Essentially, it is the exact area within the walls of a house. In contrast, built-up area is the total area covered by the property, including both the covered area and additional spaces such as balconies, terraces, and walls. It typically exceeds the covered area by around 10-20%, depending on the design of the building.
What is loading factor?
The difference between the carpet areas and the super built up areas is known as the loading factor. The following is the formula to calculate the loading factor percentage:
Carpet area * (1-loading factor) = Super Built-up area
Note: The loading would be in the range of 15% to 50%, depending on builder and the exact location. In cities like Bengaluru, the loading factor could be in the range of 20-25% or even more.
See also: All about property registration laws in India
Super built-up area calculation example
When there are more than one apartments on a floor, the super built-up area is calculated in a different manner.
Let us assume that on the fifth floor of a housing society, Sanjay Mehta owners an apartment with a built-up area of 1,000 sqft. On the same floor, Amit Lal owns an apartment with a built-up area of 2,000 sqft. The total common area on the floor is 1,500 sqft.
Now, to calculate the super built-up area of the two apartments, the builder would divide in the ratio of the apartments’ built-up areas (in this case 1:2) add 500 sqft extra space in Mehta’s total built-up area and 1,000 sqft extra in Lal’s built-up area. Now, the super built-up area of Mehta’s apartment is 1,500 sqft and Lal’s is 3,000 sqft.
See also: All about GST on flat
Difference between carpet area, built up area and super built up area in Indian real estate
| Area | Carpet area | Built up area | Super built up area |
| Bedroom | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Living room | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bathroom | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Study room | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guest room | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kid’s room | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dining room | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lobby | No | No | Yes |
| Balcony | No | Yes | Yes |
| External staircase | No | Yes | Yes |
| Internal staircase | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pooja room | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Terrace | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lift | No | Yes | Yes |
| Verandah | No | Yes | Yes |
| Garden | No | No | Yes |
Final carpet area calculation
In most cases, the carpet area in your flat would typically be 70% of its built-up area. So, if the built-up area of a property is 1,500 sqft, its carpet area would typically be 1,050 sqft. RERA mandates that house sales happen as per carpet area.
See also: All about e stamping
Methods used to calculate carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area
Measuring the carpet area of a property can be done using a tape measure or a laser measuring device. This involves taking measurements from one wall to another, while subtracting any protrusions like columns or bay windows from the total area. In contrast, calculating the built-up and super-built-up areas is usually the responsibility of the developer or builder. This process includes measuring the exterior walls and allocating a proportionate share of the common areas to each apartment or office space.
Key considerations for buyers
- Focus on carpet area: Prioritize the carpet area as it represents the actual usable space within the property.
- Comparison based on carpet area: When comparing properties, rely on carpet area measurements to get a clear understanding of the usable space.
- Understanding built-up and super built-up areas: Be cautious of these areas listed by builders, as they include additional non-usable spaces.
- Ratio inquiry: Ask for the ratio of carpet area to built-up and super built-up areas to better understand the space distribution.
- Cost consideration: Assess the cost per square foot of carpet area to make a more informed purchasing decision.
Housing.com Viewpoint
There are so many ways in which the seller or the builder—whosoever you are buying a property from— may express the size of your would-be home. Some would explain it in carpet area terms while others would talk about built-up area or super built-up area. But, since the real estate law makes it incumbent upon builders to reveal the house area in carpet area terms, it becomes important to understand this concept for a rookie homebuyer. Insist on knowing the carpet area of the any property you plan to invest in. Also insist on the seller offering prices based on carpet area and not on built-up or super built up area.
FAQs
What is the meaning of carpet area?
Carpet area is the area that can actually be covered by a carpet or the area of the apartment excluding the thickness of inner walls.
How to calculate carpet area
You can calculate the carpet area if you know the exact built-up area.
What is carpet area according to the RERA?
According to the RERA, carpet area is defined as 'the net usable floor area of an apartment'.
How to calculate loading on carpet area
If a builder puts 1.25 as the loading factor, then it means 25% of space has been added to the carpet area of the flat.
What is included in carpet area
Carpet area does not include the area covered by the external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah area and exclusive open terrace area.
What is the difference between carpet area and built-up area
Carpet area is the area that can actually be covered by a carpet while built-up area is the area that comes after adding carpet area and wall area.
What is the meaning of the built up area?
Built up area is the carpet area in a home, plus the wall thickness along with other unusable areas. These can include balcony, terrace, flower beds, etc.
Is the carpet area the same as the super built-up area?
No, the super built-up area includes the carpet area, built-up area and common areas.
Is carpet area the same as the livable area?
Yes, the carpet area is the same as the livable area. Both these terms refer to the actual area which is actually used for living.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |