By Arosh John | Founder – John Real Estate | Editor-in-Chief – Thane Real Estate News
When you hear “carpet area” while buying a home, it may sound simple. But in reality, there are two very different versions of this term—Carpet Area (traditional) and RERA Carpet Area (legal standard). Understanding the difference could save you lakhs and protect you from misleading sales tactics.
Carpet Area (Traditional / Builder’s Definition)
Before 2016, “carpet area” was loosely defined by developers.
- Some counted balconies and verandahs.
- Others excluded internal partition walls to inflate numbers.
- There was no uniform rule, which meant each builder had their own version.
As a result, buyers often found themselves comparing different projects to apples and oranges when evaluating them, leading to potential misunderstandings and financial losses.
RERA Carpet Area (The Legal Benchmark)
The Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 (Section 2(k)) brought clarity by standardising the definition across India:
“The net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by external walls, areas under service shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah area, and exclusive open terrace area, but including the area covered by internal partition walls of the apartment.”
Key Highlights
- Mandatory: Builders must sell and register units only according to the RERA-approved carpet area.
- Transparent: Balconies, terraces, and verandahs are not counted.
- Protective: If the delivered carpet area is more than 3% smaller than promised, the buyer is entitled to a refund/adjustment with interest.
Why the Distinction Matters
- Carpet Area (Traditional): Inconsistent, varied by builder, often misleading.
RERA Carpet Area: It’s not just a measure; it’s a standard. Legally binding, uniform across India, and the only measure buyers should trust today, providing a sense of uniformity and confidence in your understanding. By focusing on RERA Carpet Area, buyers can make accurate like-to-like comparisons between projects, empowering them with the correct information and helping them avoid paying for space they cannot use.
About the Author
Arosh John is the Founder of John Real Estate, a leading real estate firm, and Editor-in-Chief of Thane Real Estate News. With over a decade of expertise in Thane’s micro-markets, luxury villas, resale, and NRI transactions, he is committed to publishing fact-checked, research-driven insights to empower homebuyers and investors.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes. Definitions are based on the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 and standard real estate practices in India. Buyers should verify project-specific details in official RERA records and consult professional advisors before making investment decisions.
