What is Carpet Area, Built-up Area & Super Built-up Area?

Buying a home is an exciting and monumental decision in anyone’s life. But with an array of terminologies, the real estate world can be a puzzling labyrinth for the uninitiated. In this blog, we will demystify three key terms that frequently pop up when discussing residential properties: Carpet Area, Built-up Area, and Super Built-up Area.

Grasping these concepts is indispensable for prospective property buyers, as they directly affect the valuation and utility of the property. Understanding these terms is essential to make an informed decision when buying or renting a property.

What is Carpet Area?

The first term to understand is the Carpet Area. Simply put, this refers to the actual usable area within the walls of the apartment or house.

India’s real estate regulator RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act) defines carpet area as the space taken by internal walls but excludes the thickness of outer walls. This is the area where you can, literally, lay a carpet. It encompasses the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, and any other enclosed spaces.

The Carpet Area is what you should primarily focus on, as it denotes the actual living space you will have at your disposal.

How to calculate Carpet Area of an apartment?

Carpet area = Area between inner walls of (bedroom + living room + kitchen + toilets) – the thickness of the inner wall

Getting Acquainted with Built-up Area

The Built-up Area, often also referred to as the Plinth Area, includes the Carpet Area plus the space taken up by the walls, balconies, and other areas that are not included in the Carpet Area.

How to calculate Built-up Area?

Built-up area = Carpet Area + Area of Balconies + Area of the Open Terrace + Area of the Exclusive Corridor + Thickness of the External Wall Area.

Built-up Area includes the space inside your home plus some extra areas like a dry balcony or flower beds, which the authorities say are part of the build structure. Usually, the Built-up Area is 10-20% bigger than the Carpet Area, which is just the space inside your home. Knowing the Built-up Area helps you understand how much space your property really has, including external and internal walls.

Deciphering Super Built up Area

The most inclusive of the three, the Super Built up Area takes into account not only the Built-up Area but also a proportionate share of the common areas in the building or society. This can include lobbies, staircases, elevators, amenities like a gym, swimming pool or clubhouse, and other shared utilities.

Super Built up Area is often used by developers to calculate the price of the property. It is important to remember that this measurement usually exceeds the actual usable space in your property, sometimes by a substantial margin.

What is covered in the Super Built Up Area?

Super Built Up Area = Built Up Area + (Built Up Area x Loading Factor)

Super built-up area = Carpet area (1+loading factor)

Note: The loading factor accounts for the percentage of common areas relative to the Built-Up Area.

Areas covered in super built-up area include:

Built up area of the flat
Clubhouses
Air ducts
Pipe / shaft ducts
Lift lobby
Staircases
Lobby
Swimming pool
Gymnasium
Any other common facilities

Super Built up Area vs. Carpet Area: Super Built-up Area sums the Built-Up Area and Carpet Area, and is considerably higher than the latter.

Understanding the Loading Factor

The Loading Factor is an important factor when calculating the Super Built-Up Area, which represents the percentage of common areas relative to the total Built-up Area. For luxury apartments, an ideal Loading Factor would be below 60%. If the Loading Factor exceeds this threshold, it means that the Super Built-Up Area is larger and the actual living space (carpet area) is smaller.

This information is valuable for homebuyers as it allows them to make informed decisions about the value they are getting for their money. Depending on the builder and location, the Loading Factor can range from 15% to 50% or even higher in certain cities like Bengaluru. Understanding the Loading Factor helps homebuyers negotiate better and comprehend the costs involved.

How to Calculate the Loading Factor?

Loading Factor = (Super Built Up Area / Built-Up Area) - 1

RERA Carpet Area

Under the RERA Act of 2016, the term "RERA Carpet Area" refers to the space within a house or apartment that can actually be used. It does not include areas outside the main living space such as balconies, verandas, open terraces, or any shared areas constructed spaces within the building. However, it does include the space taken up by walls that separate rooms within the apartment or house.

To clarify, when this explanation mentions 'exclusive balcony or verandah area,' it means the space of a balcony or verandah that is directly connected to the apartment and is only for the use of the apartment owner. Similarly, 'exclusive open terrace area' refers to an open terrace space that is directly connected to the net usable floor area of the apartment and is solely for the apartment owner's use. These exclusive spaces are not part of the RERA Carpet Area.

RERA Carpet Area Calculation

RERA Carpet Area = Net Usable Area of the Apartment (exclude external walls, Terrace Area, Balcony area, & Verandah Area) + Areas of the Internal Partition Walls

What is the difference between Carpet Area & RERA Carpet Area?

RERA Carpet Area and Carpet Area are two different measures used to calculate the space within a property. The key distinction between them lies in the inclusion of the thickness of the internal partition walls.

In RERA Carpet Area, the thickness of the internal partition walls is taken into account. This means that RERA Carpet Area not only comprises the usable area within the property but also includes the space occupied by the internal walls.

On the other hand, the general Carpet Area strictly refers to the area within the interior walls where you can actually use the space for furniture, etc., and does not include the thickness of the internal walls.

Approximately, there is a 5% difference between both the carpet area. This difference makes the RERA Carpet Area approximately 5% larger than the general Carpet Area.

Impact of RERA on Understanding Space Measurements in Indian Real Estate

Clear Definitions: RERA has provided clear definitions for Carpet Area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area, eliminating previous ambiguities.
Transparent Pricing: By mandating the use of Carpet Area for pricing, RERA ensures that buyers pay for the actual usable space, making the pricing transparent and fair.
Buyer Protection: RERA protects buyers from misleading sales tactics by ensuring they are well-informed about the space they are purchasing.
Standardization: RERA has standardized how space is measured and reported, bringing consistency across the real estate market.
Enhanced Accountability: With strict penalties for non-compliance, RERA holds builders accountable for accurately representing the space in properties.
Boosted Consumer Confidence: Knowing that their interests are protected, consumers have increased confidence in the real estate market.
Sustainable Development: By focusing on Carpet Area, RERA indirectly encourages more sustainable development by preventing overcrowding in residential complexes.
Informed Decision Making: Buyers are now equipped with accurate information, enabling them to make more informed decisions when investing in property.

In essence, RERA (real estate regulatory authority) Act has significantly impacted how space measurements are understood and utilized in the Indian real estate market, paving the way for a more transparent, fair, and consumer-friendly environment.

Also read: Factors affecting rental prices

Conclusion

As you embark on your journey to find the perfect home, understanding the distinctions between Carpet Area, Built-up Area, and Super Built-up Area is invaluable. These terms influence the valuation, utility, and ultimately, the satisfaction derived from the saleable area property. So, it’s prudent to comprehend these concepts, verify compliance with RERA, and assess the Loading Factor to ensure a gratifying property investment.

It also will empowers you to make more informed choices and navigate the real estate market with confidence. So the next time you glance at a property listing or discuss options with a broker, you’ll be well-equipped with the knowledge to ask the right questions and make the best decision for your dream home.