Term Of The Day: Carpet Area

What is Carpet Area?

The carpet area is the actual usable area of an apartment, but it does not include the thickness of the inner walls. It is the area between the walls where you can actually lay a carpet.

PropTiger Explains Carpet Area

The carpet area is the space inside an apartment over which a carpet can be laid. The space included in the carpet area must have a permanent roof or slab above it at normal height. The owner of an apartment has exclusive rights over the carpet area, and can use it or sell it as he wishes. But, the carpet area does not include the area occupied by the walls of the house. The floor space index (FSI) rules applies to the carpet area.

Also Read: How To Calculate Carpet Area, Built-Up Area And Super Built-Up Area

Contrary to popular belief, the carpet area includes the bathroom and kitchen too. But, the methodology used to calculate it varies from builder to builder. For instance, some builders consider balcony as part of the carpet area while some builders do not. Some builders include half the area of the terrace or the balcony in the carpet area, but some builders might include the whole area, treating them as separate rooms.

While calculating the built-up area, builders include wall thickness, ducts and the balcony too. But, they are not included in the carpet area. Typically, the built-up area is 10-20% higher than the carpet area. The carpet area does not include common spaces like lifts, staircases, entrance lobby, security room, electric room, or the pump room. But, they are part of the super built-up area.

According to the amended Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, while charging home buyers, builders should quote the carpet area and not the built-up area or the super-built up area of an apartment. As built-up area and super-built up area overstates the usable area inside an apartment, this is expected to make the transaction more transparent.

Check out PropGuide's comprehensive guide to real estate terms here.

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