Understanding Carpet Area Meaning, RERA Carpet Area, Built-Up Area and Super Built-Up Area Calculation and Difference

By LODHA

In the world of real estate, understanding the intricacies of area measurements is essential for prospective buyers and tenants. Terms like "Carpet Area", "RERA Carpet Area", "Built-Up Area", and "Super Built-Up Area" often create confusion due to their varying definitions and implications. Whether you're looking to purchase a new home or lease a commercial space, knowing the difference between these measurements can help you make informed decisions and ensure that you get the right amount of usable space.

Let's start by understanding these terminologies:

What Is Carpet Area?

The Carpet Area meaning refers to the actual usable area of the property that is covered by a carpet or the space where you can place your furniture. It excludes the walls, balconies, and any other common areas. It is the area that you can use for personal purposes, measured from the inner walls of the property. The carpet area calculation is done by measuring the length and width of the room from wall to wall and multiplying it.

What Is RERA Carpet Area?

In simpler terms, the RERA Carpet Area meaning refers to the actual usable area of the property disclosed by the developer under the RERA Act. It excludes the walls, balconies, and common areas. The carpet area as per RERA is the most important area when it comes to determining the cost of a property. It serves as a more standardized measure compared to traditional carpet area definitions, providing buyers with clarity.

What Is Super Built-Up Area & Built-Up Area?

Post-RERA, the terms Built-Up Area and Super Built-Up Area are no longer used directly in determining the cost, but it’s important to understand these terms for clarity.

Built-Up Area meaning is the total area of the property, including the carpet area, walls, balconies, and other areas such as corridors and lobbies. The built-up area calculation includes the thickness of walls, and it is usually 10-20% more than the carpet area. The built-up area also includes common areas shared by all residents of a building, such as staircases and lifts. It is calculated by adding the carpet area and the thickness of the outer walls, balconies, and utility areas like the dry balcony or terrace.

Super Built-Up Area meaning is the total area of the property, including the built-up area, and common areas such as lifts, staircases, etc. The super built-up area also includes the proportionate area of the amenities and facilities available in the project, such as the clubhouse, swimming pool, garden, etc. It is usually 25-30% more than the built-up area. This area is calculated by dividing the total area of the common areas by the number of units in the building and adding it to the built-up area.

Difference Between The Carpet Area, Built-Up Area & Super Built-Up Area

After understanding the carpet area meaning, built-up area meaning, and super built-up area meaning, the major difference between them is the area they cover. The carpet area is the actual usable area of the property, while the built-up area includes the area occupied by walls and other structures. The super built-up area includes the built-up area and the common areas. The cost of the property is always calculated on the basis of the super built-up area. Therefore, it is essential to understand the difference between the different types of areas to determine the actual cost of the property.

As A Homebuyer, What Should You Look At – RERA Carpet Area Or Carpet Area?

Although the RERA carpet area is a useful measure for homebuyers, it may not be the same as the usable carpet area of an apartment, which excludes walls and includes all the areas where one can spread a carpet. The enclosed balcony is a technical term used in approvals, and it is considered a part of the room and is usable. However, under the definition of RERA carpet area, it is excluded. Therefore, while the RERA carpet area is important, usable carpet area is a more useful measure for customers. When comparing projects, it is advisable to check the usable carpet area and not just the RERA carpet area, as it allows a better comparison of the actual space provided. Homebuyers can calculate the usable carpet area by measuring and totaling all the spaces inside their flat.

Loading Factor

The loading factor is the difference between the super built-up area and the carpet area. It represents the proportion of common areas such as lifts, staircases, and amenities that are included in the super built-up area but not usable by the individual owner. This factor is added to the cost of the property to arrive at the final sale price.

Super Built-Up Area vs Carpet Area

When comparing the super built-up area vs carpet area, it’s essential to note that the super built-up area includes both the carpet area and the common areas. The carpet area is the actual usable space inside the unit, while the super built-up area includes the total area of the building, including external walls, balconies, and the share of common areas. This distinction is crucial for understanding how much space you are actually getting compared to what is being charged.

Super Built-Up Area Calculation

The super built-up area calculation is done by adding the built-up area and the share of the common areas. The loading factor is used to determine the proportion of the common areas that will be added to the property’s sale price. This gives a clearer picture of how the total price of a property is determined, based on the overall area that is part of the building but not directly usable by the individual owner.