What Is 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 the inner walls. The carpet area does not include the space covered by common areas, such as the lobby, elevator, stairs, recreation area, etc.
The carpeted area is the actual area you get for use in a housing unit. So, when you are looking for a house, look at the carpet area and make your decision, because this is the number that will give you an idea of the real space at your disposal.
The focus on the carpet area will help you understand the useful area in the kitchen, bedroom, living room, etc. Currently, many builders do not even mention the carpet area at first and generally charge based on an accumulated area or super built area. The carpet area is usually about 70% of the built area.
The total area of a property is calculated in three ways – carpet area, built-up area, super built-up area. Therefore, the three areas can lead to a lot of confusion at times.
Here’s How You Should Distinguish the Three Areas:
- Carpet area: is the enclosed area within the walls,
- The built-up area is the carpet area and the outside wall thickness plus the balcony.
- Super Built area: is the sum of the built area and the proportional area of the common areas in relation to the property area.
How to Calculate the Total Area of the Carpet?
There are several ways to calculate the area of the carpet. First, you should know that the area of the carpet is 70% of the built area. For example, assuming the built area is 1,000 square feet, your carpet area should be 70% off 1,000 square feet, which is 700 square feet in this case. Therefore, its carpet area is 700 square feet.
What Is Built-Up Area?
The built area is the area that comes after adding the carpet and wall area. Now, the area of the wall does not mean the surface area, but the thickness of the internal walls of a unit.
The area that constitutes the walls is about 20% of the built area and totally changes the perspective. The built area also consists of other areas mandated by the authorities, such as a dry balcony, flower beds, etc., which add up to 10% of the built area.
So, when you think about it, the floor area is only 70% of the built area. So if the built area says 1,200 square feet, it means that about 30% (360 square feet) is not really usable, and the actual area you will use is just the remaining 840 square feet.
What Is Super Built-Up Area?
The super-built area is a builder’s best friend! It is the calculated area adding the built area and the common area that includes the corridor, the elevator lobby, the elevator, etc. In some cases, builders even include amenities such as a pool, garden, and club in the common area. A developer/builder charges you based on the overbuilt area, which is why it is also known as a “salable” area.
Real Estate Basics Part 1-
Carpet area, built area and overbuilt area. Now let’s consider this case – the fee is Rs. 2,000 per square foot and the super-built area is 1,200 square feet, so the base cost will reach 24 Lakhs.
When there is more than one apartment on the floor, the overbuilt area is calculated differently. Let’s assume that this is the case.
- The area of Apartment 1 is 1000 square feet
- The area of apartment 2 is 2000 square feet
- The total common area is 1,500 square feet, of which the portion of the common area of Apartment 1 is 500 square feet, while the portion of the common area of Apartment 2 is 1,000 square feet.
So the over-built area of Apartment 1 is 1,500 square feet and Apartment 2 is 3,000 square feet. The over-built area, as seen in this example, is divided in proportion to the built-up areas of the apartments (in this case 1: 2).
Real Estate Basics Part 2
Carpet area, built area and overbuilt area. Considering that builders and developers often price their apartments based on an over-built or ‘salable’ area, ignoring the fundamental difference between carpet area and built area and other terms leaves someone blind.
Often, the actual floor area is much smaller than the over built area. Some Builders take into account the area of the carpet while carrying you, but this is only the rarest of cases. 90% of developers calculate the base cost based on the super built area; the more the amenities, the larger the built area.
What Is RERA and Carpet Area?
After the implementation of the Real Estate Regulation Law (RERA), there were several changes in the definition of the carpet area. The law mandated builders of ongoing projects to disclose apartment sizes based on the carpet area, which is the actual area available, including bathrooms and kitchens.
Therefore, understanding the area of the carpet is of utmost importance for home buyers. Previously, garden areas, empty spaces, terraces, balconies, and balconies have also been included under the carpet area.
This will be discontinued. Clarity in design and efficiency will be crucial from now on. If a builder uses a lot of common space, but different areas of carpet, the design will be considered inefficient, as it can be the same as the overbuilt area.
When it comes to corner apartments placed in beneficial and inconvenient positions, there may be differences in the carpet areas. RERA will ensure that builders cover these apartments according to the carpet area provided to the buyer. Therefore, selling corner apartments that have lost carpet space for the same price as those in prime locations is out of the question.
Now that you know those terms, the next time you go through property reviews or speak to an agent, you know what you’re dealing with. In an ideal world, developers and real estate agents should take carpet space into account when setting real estate prices.
However, this was not the case until the Government of India introduced, approved, and implemented the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act or simply RERA. The law came into force on May 1, 2017, and brought with it several provisions designed to protect the interest of homebuyers, improve transparency and accountability and encourage investment in the real estate sector.
Most potential owners welcomed this act and its provisions. One of them is the definition of carpet area under RERA. The act defines it as the net useful floor of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the external walls, the area under the service veins, the exclusive balcony or veranda, and the exclusive open terrace, but including the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment.
FAQ: Carpet Area in Real Estate
What Is Carpet Area?
Carpet area refers to the actual usable floor area within the walls of an apartment or unit, excluding the thickness of internal walls and common areas. It is the space that can be covered by a carpet.
How Is Carpet Area Different from Built-Up Area?
Carpet area is the enclosed space within the walls, while built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of external walls and any additional spaces such as balconies.
What Is the Super Built-Up Area?
The super built-up area includes the built-up area plus a proportionate share of common areas in the property, such as corridors, elevators, and lobby spaces. It may also include amenities like pools and gardens.
How Do You Calculate Carpet Area?
Carpet area is typically about 70% of the built-up area. For example, if the built-up area is 1,000 square feet, the carpet area would be approximately 700 square feet.
What Is the Built-Up Area?
The built-up area is the total area of a property that includes the carpet area plus the thickness of external walls and any additional areas such as balconies.
How Is the Super Built-Up Area Calculated?
The super built-up area is calculated by adding the built-up area to the proportionate share of common areas and any amenities included in the property. This area is often used by builders to determine pricing.
How Does Rera Impact the Understanding of Carpet Area?
Under the Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA), builders are required to disclose apartment sizes based on carpet area, including bathrooms and kitchens but excluding common areas. This regulation aims to provide more transparency and protect buyers.
Why Is It Important to Know the Carpet Area When Buying a Property?
Knowing the carpet area helps buyers understand the actual usable space within the property. It is crucial for making informed decisions and ensuring that you get the value for your money.
Are There Differences in Carpet Area for Different Types of Apartments?
Yes, corner apartments or those in less desirable locations might have different carpet areas compared to those in prime positions. RERA regulations ensure that these differences are considered when pricing properties.
How Can Buyers Ensure They Are Getting Accurate Information About Carpet Area?
Buyers should check the carpet area details provided by builders and ensure they are compliant with RERA regulations. It is also advisable to consult with real estate professionals and verify the measurements before making a purchase.
