Difference Between the Carpet Area and the RERA Carpet Area

When you consider buying a flat or an apartment in India, you will come across several terms that can be confusing, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. Among these, “carpet area” and “RERA carpet area” are two of the most frequently used terms by real estate developers, agents, and even banks. At first glance, they may seem the same, but there is a subtle yet crucial legal difference between the two.

Understanding this distinction is vital because the area you are paying for directly impacts your investment, your monthly outgoings (such as maintenance and property tax), and the actual usable space in your home. This article explores, in simple and practical language, the difference between carpet area and RERA carpet area, why it matters, and how you can use this knowledge to make a better property-buying decision.

What Is Carpet Area?

Let’s begin with the basics.
The carpet area of a property is traditionally defined as the net usable floor area inside the apartment, where you can actually lay a carpet. This means it covers only the floor space within the four walls of your flat—excluding the thickness of all the walls.

Inclusions:

• Bedrooms, living room, dining area, kitchen, bathrooms, and internal passages.
• Store rooms and utility rooms that are within the internal walls of the unit.

Exclusions:

• Thickness of all walls (internal and external).
• Areas under service shafts, lifts, staircases.
• Balconies, verandahs, and exclusive open terraces.

In simple terms: Carpet area is the precise space on which you can physically lay a carpet or place your furniture, measured from the inner face of one wall to the inner face of the opposite wall.

What Is RERA Carpet Area?

After the implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), the definition of carpet area was standardised across India. The law brought a crucial change in the way developers were supposed to disclose and sell the property area.

As per Section 2(k) of RERA, the RERA carpet area is defined as:

“The net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah area and exclusive open terrace area, but includes the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment.”

Inclusions:

• All rooms and spaces within the apartment (just like traditional carpet area).
• Thickness of all internal partition walls (walls within the flat that divide rooms).

Exclusions:

• Thickness of external walls.
• Service shafts.
• Balconies and verandahs that are for exclusive use of the flat owner.
• Open terraces that are exclusively attached to the flat.

In simple terms: RERA carpet area is the net usable floor area plus the thickness of internal partition walls within your apartment.

The Key Distinction: Thickness of Internal Walls

Now comes the core difference.

• Carpet Area (Traditional): Only the floor area on which you can actually walk or lay a carpet. Does not include the thickness of internal partition walls.
  
• RERA Carpet Area: All of the above, plus the thickness of internal walls that separate rooms within the apartment.

Therefore, the only distinction is the inclusion of the thickness of internal walls in the RERA carpet area.

Example Calculation

Suppose your flat’s floor plan (excluding walls) measures 900 sq. ft.

• The internal partition walls in your flat occupy 45 sq. ft. of area (measured as the total length of internal walls × thickness).
  
• Traditional Carpet Area = 900 sq. ft.
  
• RERA Carpet Area = 900 + 45 = 945 sq. ft.
  

Percentage difference: 5%
So, the RERA carpet area is typically around 5% higher than the traditional carpet area.

Why Did RERA Make This Change?

Before RERA, there was widespread confusion in the real estate sector. Developers used different definitions for carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area, often inflating the numbers to make the flat appear larger than it actually was. Many homebuyers realised only at possession that their “spacious” flat was not so spacious after all.

RERA’s intention:

• Standardise the definition so that every buyer in India can make apples-to-apples comparisons.
• Protect the buyer: By ensuring developers cannot include external walls or common areas while calculating the area for pricing.
• Transparency: Buyers know exactly what they are paying for, with no hidden or ambiguous area loading.

How to Measure and Verify the Two Areas

Measuring Traditional Carpet Area

• Measure each room from the inner face of one wall to the inner face of the opposite wall.
• Add up the area of all such rooms and spaces.
• Do not include the area taken up by internal partition walls.

Measuring RERA Carpet Area

• Measure each room as above.
• Measure the thickness of every internal wall and multiply by the length of each wall to get the area occupied by internal walls.
• Add the total area of internal walls to the sum of room areas.
• The final total is your RERA carpet area.

How to Verify?

• Check the floor plan approved by the State RERA authority and compare it with the builder’s plan.
• Hire a technical expert or architect to measure the flat if you have any doubt.
• Always cross-check the area mentioned in your sale agreement with the RERA-approved plan.

Example for Better Understanding

Suppose you have a 2BHK flat with the following measurements (excluding wall thickness):

• Living Room: 14 × 12 = 168 sq. ft.
• Bedroom 1: 12 × 10 = 120 sq. ft.
• Bedroom 2: 10 × 10 = 100 sq. ft.
• Kitchen: 10 × 8 = 80 sq. ft.
• Bathrooms: 6 × 5 = 30 sq. ft. each (total 60 sq. ft.)
• Passage: 20 sq. ft.

Total traditional carpet area: 168 + 120 + 100 + 80 + 60 + 20 = 548 sq. ft.

Now, suppose the total thickness area of internal walls is 27 sq. ft.

RERA carpet area: 548 + 27 = 575 sq. ft.

What Is Not Included in Either Area?

It is important to note that both carpet area and RERA carpet area do not include:

• The thickness of external walls.
• Open balconies and verandahs attached exclusively to the flat.
• Open terrace areas.
• Common areas (lifts, staircases, corridors).
• Service shafts.

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don’t Include Balconies: Even if a balcony is enclosed, unless it’s part of the interior room area, it should not be counted in RERA carpet area.
2. Don’t Add External Walls: No matter how thick the outer walls are, their area should not be added to either measurement.
3. Check Builder’s Claims: Always verify if the area mentioned is RERA carpet area and not built-up or super built-up area.
4. Read Your Agreement: The sale agreement must specifically state the RERA carpet area. If it only says “carpet area”, ask for clarification and supporting documents.

Conclusion

In summary, the only technical distinction between carpet area and RERA carpet area is the thickness of the internal walls. RERA carpet area is always about 5% higher than the traditional carpet area due to the inclusion of internal partition walls. Always insist on knowing the RERA carpet area of any flat or apartment you intend to buy. Cross-verify all documents, don’t be misled by jargon, and make sure your sale agreement reflects the true, legally defined area.