Defining Carpet Area
According to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (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. Essentially, it's the space within the walls where you can actually walk and use for living. This includes the space covered by interior walls or partitions within the apartment. The significance lies in its direct impact on the pricing and usability of the property, as the carpet area is what you’re primarily paying for. Understanding this definition is the first step towards making a well-informed decision about your property investment.
RERA and Transparency
The RERA Act mandates that real estate developers clearly disclose the carpet area to buyers. Prior to the RERA Act, developers often quoted the 'built-up area,' which included a portion of the common areas, making the actual usable space unclear. RERA aims to bring transparency to the real estate sector by standardizing the definition of carpet area and making it the basis for sale. This regulation protects buyers from misleading practices and ensures they know exactly what they're paying for. By requiring clear disclosure, RERA empowers buyers to make more informed decisions about their property purchases.
What's Included?
Carpet area encompasses the interior space within the apartment's walls. This includes living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, and any other areas enclosed by the walls. It also accounts for interior partition walls and internal shafts within the apartment. However, it specifically excludes areas like balconies, verandahs, and open terraces. External walls, service shafts, and common areas like the lobby, staircase, and lift shafts are also not part of the carpet area calculation. Essentially, carpet area is the total area that is available for the homeowner to use within the unit, promoting clarity in what the buyer gets.
Impact on Buyers
Understanding carpet area directly impacts property buying decisions. Knowing the carpet area helps buyers compare different properties and evaluate the value they are getting for their money. By focusing on the carpet area, buyers can assess the actual usable space, avoiding confusion caused by the inclusion of non-usable areas in the built-up area calculation. This clarity allows buyers to make more informed decisions by weighing the price per square foot of the carpet area, which reflects the true cost of usable space. This information is vital, helping buyers choose properties that align with their space needs and budget.
Calculating Carpet Area
Calculating carpet area involves measuring the interior dimensions of the apartment, excluding the areas mentioned earlier. This includes the length and width of each room and interior spaces. For complex layouts, it's common to use a detailed floor plan to measure individual rooms and areas accurately. However, professional builders and developers usually provide the carpet area figures in their sales documents, in compliance with RERA regulations. Although buyers can perform their own measurements, it is always advisable to consult with experts or request the documented measurements from the builder to ensure accuracy and avoid any discrepancies.
Carpet Area vs. Others
It is essential to distinguish between carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. Built-up area includes the carpet area plus the area covered by the external walls and any exclusive balcony or verandah space. Super built-up area, often used in sales, further incorporates a portion of the common areas like lobbies, staircases, and elevators. Buyers should prioritize the carpet area when comparing properties as it represents the usable living space. Always confirm the carpet area provided by the developer as per RERA guidelines to avoid any misunderstanding. This distinction helps buyers evaluate the value they receive for their investment, considering only the usable space.
