The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), was introduced to bring transparency, accountability, and standardization to India’s real estate sector. Today, over 1,24,739 real estate projects and 87,212 agents are registered under RERA across the country, making property transactions safer for buyers and investors.
One key aspect that has simplified homebuying is the concept of RERA carpet area. Thanks to RERA, homebuyers no longer need to navigate confusing builder-specific definitions or guess the exact usable space in a property.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know – the rera carpet area definition, how to calculate it, and how it differs from built-up and super built-up areas; helping you make informed decisions with confidence in 2025.
What is RERA Carpet Area?
As defined by the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, RERA carpet area refers to the net usable floor area within an apartment, including internal partition walls. It excludes external walls, service shafts, and exclusive open spaces like balconies, verandas, or terraces.
In simpler terms, it’s the actual area where you can physically lay a carpet. “Exclusive” here means that balconies or terraces are intended for the sole use of the buyer.
The home-buying experience is simplified and standardized by RERA norms. Before RERA, there was no standardized method to measure an apartment’s usable area, often leading to disputes where buyers received less space than promised.
Post-RERA, the standardized definition has led to more accurate property pricing and increased buyer awareness, making the real estate market more transparent and reliable.
It mandates that all developers and builders must sell the property by quoting the RERA carpet area and not any other area type. Moreover, if there is an increase or decrease in the total carpet area of a property from the initial construction stage to the final stage, the homebuyer will get a refund.
- If the area decreases, the refund must be done within 45 days with annual interest
- If the area increases, the homebuyer will be billed, with a cap of 3% (as mandated by RERA).
This standardization has made the home-buying experience more reliable, reducing fraud and boosting buyer confidence in India’s real estate market.
What Is The Other Key Terminology You Must Know?
When buying a home, you’ll often hear terms like carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. While they may sound similar, each has a different meaning and can impact how much space you actually get.
Let’s break them down clearly:
Carpet Area
The carpet area is the actual usable space inside your apartment, basically, where you can lay a carpet. It covers bedrooms, the kitchen, and bathrooms, measured from the inner walls. It does not include external walls, balconies, terraces, or shared/common spaces. This is the closest measurement of livable space that is made available to the resident before the construction.
However, here’s the difference:
- The traditional carpet area usually excludes the thickness of internal walls.
- As per RERA carpet area definition, it includes internal walls, providing buyers with a more accurate representation of the property’s true size.
This is why the RERA carpet area is more reliable and what you, as a buyer, should pay attention to. It reflects the exact size of the property.
Developers usually advertise apartments in terms such as built-up or super built-up areas, which include the common or shared spaces.
Let’s now understand these terms.
Built-Up Area
The built-up area includes:
- Carpet area
- Balconies
- Thickness of external walls
This results in a built-up area that is 10–20% larger than the carpet area, but not all of it is usable living space. Builders often mention this figure to create the illusion of a bigger livable space for the buyers on paper.
Here is the formula to calculate the built-up area of a property:
- Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + Balcony + External Walls
On average, the carpet area accounts for approximately 70% of the built-up area.
Super Built-Up Area
This is the figure most often advertised by developers as the saleable area (i.e., the total area sold to the buyer) in advertisements and price listings. It includes:
- Built-up area
- Plus, a proportionate share of common spaces like corridors, lobbies, lifts, staircases, clubhouse, gym, swimming pool, gardens, pipes, and ducts.
While it is only an estimate of the total space of the apartment, it does not account for the actual usable area within the home. This is because of the inclusion of common areas.
Here is the formula to calculate the super built-up area of a property:
- Super Built-Up Area = Built-Up Area + Common Areas
Carpet Area Vs. Built-Up Area Vs. Super Built-Up Area
| Carpet Area | Built-Up Area | Super Built-Up Area |
| The carpet area is the practical, usable space on the floor. | The built-up area is the total covered area inside an apartment. | Super Built-Up Area is the total area that is sold to the buyer, including common areas. |
| This includes the rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms from the inner walls. | This includes internal usable space, balconies, and an added thickness of outer walls. | This includes the built-up area, as well as common areas and facilities offered by a residence. |
| Carpet area excludes areas such as external walls, balconies, terraces, or shared spaces such as staircases and lobbies. | Built-up area generally excludes anything outside the apartment’s outer walls, such as common facilities, including the clubhouse and lobbies. | The term Super built-up area generally encompasses everything in a residence, including gardens, without excluding anything. |
Step-by-Step Guide on Measuring and Calculating The RERA Carpet Area
While RERA mandates builders to mention the RERA carpet area accurately, it is always good to conduct your due diligence for peace of mind.
- Measure Each Room – Use a laser or measuring tape to record the length and width of each room as accurately as possible.
- Calculate Room Area – Multiply the length and width of each room to get its individual area.
- Include Internal Walls – As the RERA carpet area accounts for the thickness of internal walls, the next step is to measure the apartment’s dimensions to account for this thickness.
- Add Up Areas – Add the room areas and internal wall footprint to get the total usable carpet area.
Here is the formula to calculate the total RERA carpet area of an apartment:
Total Carpet Area = Total Floor Area – (Common Areas + Balconies + Thickness of Outer Wall)
- Simply add the room areas to the total wall area to obtain the overall carpet area.
- Ensure balconies, terraces, and external walls are excluded from these calculations.
Check out Trimurty Builders and Developers to find properties with accurately disclosed RERA carpet area.
Importance of Knowing RERA Carpet Area
RERA regulations ensure that you only pay for the usable space of a home. Here are some of the key benefits of knowing the RERA carpet area:
- You get protection against builders overcharging by mentioning the super built-up area. RERA carpet area ensures that builders cannot charge homebuyers for non-useable spaces. Moreover, you are not paying for the shared amenities and lobby spaces.
- Additionally, you get clarity in transactions. You know exactly how much usable space you are getting. Knowing rera carpet area definition can help you easily trust the real estate deals in India, and you can be sure that you will be getting the exact area. This also makes it easier to plan a home layout and furniture.
- Moreover, standardised measurements make comparing properties simpler. You don’t have to struggle with converting units used by different builders. You can get a fairer comparison between properties across the country.
- Home loans by banks and financial institutions are all based on the carpet area and not the super built-up area. This helps the buyer get the proper estimate of the loan and avoid paying excess.
- All thanks to RERA, Transparent deals ensure that buyers have a clear understanding of usable space within a residential unit. So, they can decide whether it goes with their requirements and lifestyle preferences.
Understanding what the RERA carpet area definition helps you gain more clarity, confidence, and control over your real estate investments.
Impact of RERA Carpet Area on the Real Estate Market in India
RERA carpet area has transformed the real estate market. It has eliminated unnecessary confusion among homebuyers by introducing a single term that needs to be focused on. The RERA carpet area gives a close estimate of the flat’s usable area available to the occupants.
Here is the impact of the RERA carpet area:
- Transparency – The implementation of RERA has made the Indian real estate market very transparent through its standardized practices.
- Trust and Confidence – RERA forms trust and confidence among buyers, which has helped build confidence among investors and buyers.
- Mandatory Disclosure – Builders must mention the RERA carpet area on all websites, brochures, and other marketing materials released.
- Pricing – Sale prices must align with the RERA carpet area, ensuring that fairness is maintained in property pricing.
- Adjustments – Any difference from the originally disclosed numbers leads to penalties and refunds to buyers. This protects the rights of homeowners.
- Uniformity – The RERA Act, 2016, has ensured uniformity in the real estate industry’s practices by implementing norms such as the RERA carpet area for each builder to comply with.
The mandates and regulations in the real estate industry have made it one of the safest investment markets. Additionally, you can get options to invest with a small or a large capital, for a long or a short term.
If you are looking for investment opportunities with a builder that is compliant with RERA norms and maintains transparency, explore the luxurious residences by Trimurty Builders and Developers.
Common Misconceptions about RERA Carpet Area Definition
Now that you have an understood the RERA carpet area definition and the other terms that builders commonly use to denote the total area of a property.
Here are some of the myths and misconceptions about the RERA carpet area that need to be clarified:
- The carpet area includes the wall thickness.
Reality: This is entirely false. Carpet areas strictly refer to the usable space within an apartment. Moreover, it is only measured from the internal walls of the apartment, excluding the thickness of the outer walls. Instead, wall thickness is measured in terms such as built-up and super built-up areas. Note that these terms are not standardized and are not used by RERA.
- Balconies, terraces, and utility areas are part of the carpet area.
Reality: No, RERA carpet area does not comprise these areas. These are generally accounted for under separate terminology. Balconies, terraces, and utility areas are considered additional features and are not part of the main layout of an apartment.
- The carpet area changes after possession.
Reality: A minor difference can occur due to on-site construction tolerances. However, large variations are not permissible. If there is an occurrence of a decrease in carpet area, then a refund to the buyer is issued. On the other hand, here is a 3% increase limit under the carpet area as per RERA norms.
- A super built-up area gives a better deal than the carpet area.
Reality: A super built-up area simply gives off an illusion of a better deal. It includes common spaces that inflate the total square footage. People often confuse the built-up area with the carpet area and fall into the trap of thinking they are getting a better deal. While in reality, they are mindlessly considering non-useable areas.
So, the carpet area offers a more transparent and fairer measure of the space inside the home.
How to Verify RERA Compliance Besides RERA Carpet Area?
We talk about only trusting compliant builders and due diligence, but how can you, as a homeowner, verify RERA compliance?
- To verify RERA compliance, you can visit the official RERA website and check for project and builder registration details.
- Through the website, you can easily verify if a project’s details, status, approvals, and timelines match the information provided by the builder.
- A telltale sign of a compliant builder is that a valid RERA registration number will be displayed in all advertisements, brochures, media, printables, etc.
Moreover, there are a few ways to verify RERA compliance through the information in your property documents:
- Check for a valid RERA registration number. This number should be included in all your property documents, including the sale deed.
- Confirm that the builder has mentioned the RERA carpet area in the sale deed specifically. Do not settle for any other term used, such as built-up area.
- A RERA-compliant will willingly provide any required documents you need for verification. These can include the building plan approval and occupancy certificate.
Remember always to cross-check these points to verify RERA compliance and that you can hold your builder accountable in case of any mishap.
Let’s discuss what to do in such a case below.
The Case of Injustice: False RERA Carpet Area
In case of any kind of mishap or injustice, you can reach out to RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) with your complaints against a property builder or developer.
Here are the steps you should follow:
- Make sure there is no error from your side regarding the complaint to avoid wasted time and effort.
- Next, you have to file a complaint against the promoter/ developer/ or builder on a state RERA website or give an application at the RERA office of the specific state.
- Depending on the local office’s efficiency, an investigation will be issued regarding your complaint.
- If it is found that a builder or developer has provided incorrect information regarding the area or the cost of an apartment, action will be taken against them.
- Under Section 61 of the RERA Act 2016, in case of infringement or incorrect information, the developer will be liable to pay an estimated penalty of 5% of the project’s cost.
FAQ’s
Does the RERA carpet area include a utility area?
No, the RERA carpet area does not encompass anything outside the apartment’s area where carpet can be physically laid. Therefore, it also excludes the utility area.
Is a bathroom included in a carpet area?
Yes, a bathroom is considered part of the apartment’s main layout. Thus, it will be included in the RERA carpet area.
What is not included in the carpet area?
The RERA carpet area excludes areas such as external walls, balconies, terraces, or shared spaces such as staircases, common facilities, and lobbies.
Is dining included in the carpet area?
Yes, a bedroom, living room, and dining room are considered part of an apartment’s main layout and therefore are included in the RERA carpet area with the partition walls.
How much difference is there between the RERA carpet and the actual carpet?
There is a 5% difference between the general carpet area and the RERA carpet area of an apartment. As the RERA carpet area includes the internal wall thickness, it is generally more than the actual carpet area.
How is the RERA carpet area different from the regular carpet area?
The RERA carpet area is the net usable floor area within an apartment. This also includes internal partition walls and excludes external walls, balconies, terraces, and shared spaces.
In contrast, regular carpet areas may or may not include internal walls, which leads to inconsistencies.
Why do builders still advertise built-up areas instead of RERA carpet areas?
Builders often advertise using a super built-up area because it includes common amenities, giving the illusion of a larger space. However, RERA has mandated that all sales must be based on the RERA carpet area definition. Therefore, buyers only need to focus on that for a realistic estimate of usable space.
Can the carpet area change after construction?
Yes, minor variations can occur due to construction tolerances. But RERA norms protect buyer rights. If the carpet area decreases, the builder must refund the buyer within 45 days, plus interest. If it increases, the buyer pays the difference, but only a 3% increase is allowed under RERA.
Conclusion
The Indian real estate industry is thriving, and is extremely profitable from an investment perspective. However, you should avoid any confusion and fraudulent disclosures and only rely on the RERA carpet area.
Here is a brief overview of the RERA carpet area definition includes and what it doesn’t:
- Area Inclusions (measured from the inner walls): Bedrooms, Kitchen, Bathrooms, Thickness of internal partition walls
- Area Exclusions: External walls, Balconies, Terraces, Staircases and Lobbies, Shared facilities
Moreover, we suggest you conduct proper due diligence before investing and go for trusted and compliant builders such as Trimurty Builders and Developers.