Trio of Areas – Carpet, Built-Up, Super Built-Up | Vajra Developers
In a broader sense, area means the space that is occupied by an object or a flat surface. If you are planning to own a house or invest in real estate, then you should have a thorough knowledge of a few terms which you are sure to collide with. There is a word trio, related to the word area. There are three ways of measuring the area of a house in a residential complex. They do sound similar but are entirely different in meaning. Let’s add a small chunk to our vocabulary by knowing about the trio of areas.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Carpet Area
2. Built-up Area
3. Super Built-up Area
4. As per RERA
5. Conclusion
1 . Carpet Area
Carpet area is simply the area that can be covered by a carpet. This does not include the walls of the house. It is that area which can be used in the house. It does not include the space covered by common areas such as the lobby, stairs, play area or lift. This is the space that one gets to use in the house. It does not include specific or additional areas like the balcony, terrace and verandah. Carpet area is precisely that part of the house that can be covered by a carpet. This does not cover the thickness of the inner walls. This will include areas of the kitchen, bedroom, living room etc. The floor space taken up by a walk-in wardrobe or any staircase that is within the apartment counts in carpet area. The balcony and the verandah space do not count in carpet area even though it is exclusively for the apartment. As per RERA, carpet area will include the area within the outer walls of the house that means the thickness of the inner walls will also be included in the carpet area. RERA Act guidelines also expect the developers to disclose the carpet area of each apartment. Generally the carpet area will be 70% of the built-up area.
2 . Built-up Area
Built-up area includes the carpet area and the thickness of the outer walls of the apartment. It also includes the area of the balcony and terrace. Built-up area covers thickness of external and internal walls, carpet area, utility ducts, interior parts like sewage or water pipelines, interior parts of doors and windows, AC ducts and shafts etc. Usually the built-up area is the sum of carpet area, area occupied by the thickness of the walls, area of utility and interior part. It is measured as the area covered by the outer line of the apartment. Built-up area is also known as the Plinth area. These two names are used interchangeably.
3 . Super Built-up Area
Super Built-up area includes all common areas such as corridors, lobbies, lifts etc, in addition to the built-up area. Even amenities such as a pool, club-house, garden areas, play area for kids are included in Super built-up area. It is also known as ‘Saleable area’. Super Built-up area will be calculated based on the area of the apartment i.e. in proportion. It is specific to the apartment square feet. Therefore, Super Built-up area will be different from 2 BHK to 3 BHK apartments. The more the amenities, the higher will be the Super Built-up area. Nowadays a lot of amenities are provided in modern ventures. They contribute towards making life more comfortable and satisfying. These amenities get counted in proportion to the Super Built-up area along with the Built-up area. Super Built-up area does not include the underground septic tanks and the walls around the building complex.
4 . As per RERA
Though the builders have to mention the carpet area, they have the provision to increase or decrease the measurements while developing an under construction project. If the carpet area is reduced during the course of construction, then the builder will have to refund the excess amount within 45 days of possession, with annual interest to the buyer. If the carpet area is increased then the developer can charge the excess amount from the buyer. RERA caps the upper limit of the increase in carpet area to be not more than 3%. RERA provides an assurance of carpet area. The builder is bound to provide that carpet area which he promises to the buyer and any change in the carpet area will be bound by the provisions of RERA. This type of facility was not available prior to RERA. There is a penal action against the developers for false information which is usually done just for the sake of advertisement of the project. As per Section 61 of RERA, the promoter will have to pay a penalty of 5% of the estimated cost of the real estate project for providing false information and other contraventions of the said project. Prior to RERA, the flats or apartments were charged on Super Built-up area and that was the reason it was also known as Saleable area but after the mandate from RERA, flats or apartments are strictly sold by carpet area.
5 . Conclusion
When you are planning to invest in real estate, especially in the residential sector, it is very important to be aware of the space and legalities that come along with it in addition to the many other significant aspects. One may not be well-versed with all the technical aspects of real estate but it is essential to know the terms and jargon used while investing in an asset of real estate. It helps in easing the buying process and also one will not get duped due to lack of knowledge. It also eases the legal hurdles and adds to your vocabulary.
Carpet area is actually the area that can be covered by a carpet or the area of the carpet including the area covered by the thickness of the inner walls. According to RERA carpet area is the net usable floor area of an apartment. Built-up area is the sum of the carpet area and the area covered by the inner walls and the balcony. Super Built-up area is the sum of the Built-up area and common areas (proportionate). It includes an elevator, swimming pools, garden, lobby, lifts etc but parking space will not be included in any of the trio areas. Parking space will be charged separately. So, if you are planning to own an apartment, then it is advisable to know the jargon of these trio areas so that you do not get hoodwinked.
-Dharmapuri Mallikharjuna Raju
