What Is RERA Carpet Area & How Is It Calculated

The Indian real estate market, for decades, was filled with confusion about how property area was measured and quoted by developers. Buyers were left in the dark, often paying for “extra” space they never used. The arrival of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016—popularly known as RERA—brought a revolution in property transactions, bringing much-needed clarity and transparency.

The term RERA carpet area is now the gold standard for measuring the net usable space in a flat or apartment. But what exactly does this mean, why is it important, and how can you calculate it for your next property purchase? This article explains it all in simple, actionable terms.

Why Did India Need RERA Carpet Area?

Before RERA, real estate developers used multiple terms—carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. Most homebuyers did not know the difference. Property was often priced on built-up or super built-up area, which included not just your flat but also walls, common areas, and sometimes even the lift lobby and gym. As a result, buyers paid for far more area than they actually received.

RERA was introduced to solve this problem. The law mandates that every builder and developer must quote the price of a flat or apartment strictly on the basis of RERA carpet area—the actual usable space inside your home. This standardisation protects buyers from inflated promises and makes it easier to compare properties.

What Is RERA Carpet Area?

As per Section 2(k) of the RERA Act, 2016, 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.”

Let’s break this down:

• Included: All rooms (bedrooms, living, kitchen, bathrooms, passages) and the thickness of all internal partition walls within your flat.
  
• Excluded: External walls, service shafts (like elevator and duct shafts), balconies or verandahs meant for exclusive use, and open terraces.

In Simple Terms

RERA carpet area is the space inside your flat where you can actually lay a carpet—plus the space occupied by the internal walls. It does not include the thickness of external walls or any open areas attached to the flat.

How Is RERA Carpet Area Different from Other Area Types?

Carpet Area

This is the area on which you can lay a carpet. Traditionally, it excludes the thickness of all walls. Under RERA, carpet area means the net usable floor area plus internal partition walls.

Built-Up Area

Built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of all walls (internal and external), and may also include the area of balconies, terraces, and utility spaces that are exclusive to the flat.

Super Built-Up Area

Super built-up area, also known as “saleable area”, is the built-up area plus a proportionate share of common areas like the lobby, lifts, staircases, clubhouses, gardens, and amenities.

Key Point: Under RERA, builders are prohibited from quoting the sale price of an apartment based on built-up or super built-up area. Only RERA carpet area can be used for pricing.

Difference Between RERA Carpet Area and Traditional Carpet Area

Many buyers are confused between the two. The main difference is:

• Traditional Carpet Area: Usable floor area only (does not include internal wall thickness).
  
• RERA Carpet Area: Usable floor area plus the thickness of all internal partition walls.
  

Usually, RERA carpet area is 5% more than traditional carpet area.
For example, if the traditional carpet area is 800 sq. ft., the RERA carpet area could be 840 sq. ft.

How RERA Carpet Area Helps You Save Money

Example:

• Old system: 3 BHK flat advertised as 1,500 sq. ft. super built-up at ₹5,000/sq. ft. = ₹75,00,000.
  
• Actual RERA carpet area: 1,100 sq. ft. Price as per RERA: 1,100 × ₹5,000 = ₹55,00,000.
  
• You save ₹20 lakh!
  

You also pay less property tax and maintenance charges, which are based on carpet area—not inflated figures.

What if the Builder Gives Wrong Area Information?

• File a complaint with the State RERA authority.
• RERA must dispose of complaints within 60 days.
• Under Section 61 of RERA, the builder can be penalised up to 5% of the project estimate for false information.

What if You Buy a Non-RERA Registered Project?

• No legal protection under RERA.
• Builder can delay or deny possession, or face bankruptcy, leaving you with no recourse.
• Never buy property that is not registered with RERA.