Buying a home is a significant financial and emotional decision. With the introduction of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), the process has become more transparent and fair for home buyers. One of the most crucial aspects regulated by RERA is the carpet area. Understanding RERA carpet area is essential for home buyers to make informed decisions and avoid misleading property advertisements.
What is Carpet Area?
Carpet area is the actual usable area inside a flat or apartment, excluding walls, balconies, common spaces, or other external areas. As per RERA, the carpet area is defined as: "The net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or veranda area, and exclusive open terrace area, but includes the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment."
Why is RERA Carpet Area Important for Home Buyers?
1. Standardized Calculation Across Developers Before RERA, developers used terms like super built-up area and built-up area, which often created confusion and led to inflated pricing. Some developers would include common areas, terraces, and even lift spaces in the total area, leading buyers to believe they were getting a larger space than what was actually usable. With RERA, all builders must disclose and sell properties based on carpet area, ensuring uniformity and preventing deceptive practices.2. Transparency in Property Pricing Under RERA, developers must clearly mention the carpet area in agreements, brochures, and advertisements. This means home buyers know exactly what they are paying for. Since prices are now based on carpet area rather than super built-up area, it ensures fair pricing.
3. Avoids Overpricing & Hidden Charges Before RERA, developers often quoted rates based on the super built-up area, which included common areas like lobbies, lifts, staircases, etc. As a result, buyers would pay for spaces they couldn’t use directly. With RERA, developers cannot charge for the super built-up area, reducing unnecessary costs and making property prices more transparent.
4. Helps in Better Property Comparisons Since all RERA-registered properties now display their carpet area, home buyers can easily compare different properties based on the actual usable space rather than misleading figures. This allows for better decision-making while choosing the right home.
5. Legal Protection Against Fraudulent Claims If a developer misrepresents the carpet area or provides incorrect information, the buyer has legal protection under RERA. If a discrepancy arises between the promised and actual carpet area, the buyer is entitled to compensation or even a refund under RERA’s provisions.
