Difference in carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area
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August 2023
When talking about the size of a home, we often hear about carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. These terms may sound confusing, but they simply refer to the different ways of measuring the space in a property.
Carpet area is the actual usable area inside the home, like the space where you can place your furniture or walk around.
Built-up area includes the carpet area along with the walls and other construction elements. It covers the total area that you will occupy within the walls.
Super built-up area goes further and includes common spaces like the lobby, staircase, and corridors shared by all residents. It's the total area that you pay for, including your individual space and a portion of the shared spaces.
Understanding these terms will help you know exactly what you're getting when you look at the size of a property.
What is carpet area?
Carpet area is the space inside a flat or apartment that can be covered with a carpet. It's also called the net usable area. According to the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA), carpet area is the actual floor area of the apartment, excluding the space taken up by external walls but including the area covered by internal walls. In the government's PMAY program, carpet area is defined as the area enclosed by the walls where you can actually place a carpet.
Carpet area: Things to know before investing in a property
If you are planning to buy a property, it's essential to pay attention to the carpet area. The carpet area is the actual space inside the flat where you can place your furniture or walk around. This information should be mentioned in marketing brochures, sale deeds, and agreements.
Before making the investment, it's a good idea to check if the actual carpet area matches what is promised to you. If there is any difference, you can ask for a refund from the developer.
What is built-up area?
The built-up area includes the carpet area of the flat plus the space taken up by the walls. It also includes other areas like balconies, terraces, and flower beds, which may not be usable space. Because of this, the flat might appear larger when expressed in built-up area terms.
What is super built-up area?
Super built-up area is the total built-up area of a property, along with the proportionate share of common facilities in the housing project. These common facilities may include the lobby, lift shaft, stairs, swimming pool, garden, park, clubhouse, and more. Developers calculate the super built-up area by adding the individual unit's built-up area to the space taken up by shared areas like corridors, lift lobbies, elevators, etc. Sometimes, builders even include amenities like pools, gardens, and clubhouses in the common area while calculating the super built-up area.
Areas covered in super built-up area
- Built up area of the flat
- Clubhouses
- Air ducts
- Pipe / shaft ducts
- Lift
- Staircases
- Lobby
- Swimming pool
- Gymnasium
- Any other common facilities
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.
Carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area in Indian real estate:
Before RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act) made it mandatory for builders to sell flats based on carpet area, they often used the super built-up area as the unit for measuring space. This lack of clarity in space calculation allowed them to lower the per square foot cost of the property, making it seem more affordable. Unfortunately, this practice also misled buyers into believing they were investing in a larger home when, in reality, they were not getting as much space as they thought.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the meaning of carpet area?
Carpet area refers to the actual area inside an apartment that can be covered by a carpet. It excludes the space taken up by 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 uses a loading factor of 1.25, it means 25% of extra space has been added to the carpet area of the flat.
What is included in carpet area?
Carpet area does not include the space covered by 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 be covered by a carpet, while built-up area includes the carpet area and the area taken by the walls.
What is the meaning of built-up area?
Built-up area is the carpet area in a home plus the space occupied by wall thickness and other unusable areas like balconies, terraces, and flower beds.
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, carpet area is the same as the livable area. Both terms refer to the actual area used for living.
Also read: Vastu Tips for the Master Bedroom: Optimal Direction, Colors, Lighting, and Décor
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