Under the RERA Act, carpet area is the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by external walls, service shafts, exclusive balconies or verandahs and exclusive open terraces, but including the area covered by internal partition walls.
Builders of registered projects must state the carpet area, which makes it the fairest basis for comparing prices.
Example
Comparing two Pune offers
Flat A in Kharadi, Pune, is quoted at ₹77 lakh with 700 sq ft carpet area: ₹11,000 per sq ft of carpet. Flat B nearby is ₹75 lakh for “1,000 sq ft” — but that is super built-up, and its carpet area is 650 sq ft, or about ₹11,538 per sq ft of carpet. On the RERA-defined area, the cheaper-looking flat costs more.
Figures are illustrative, not market rates.
Questions about Carpet area
Where is carpet area defined in law?
Section 2(k) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 defines carpet area as the net usable floor area, excluding external walls, service shafts, exclusive balconies or verandahs and exclusive open terraces, and including internal partition walls. State RERA rules and agreements follow this definition for registered projects.
Are balconies part of carpet area?
Not under the RERA definition. Exclusive balconies, verandahs and open terraces are excluded from carpet area, though builders list them separately in the agreement. If a balcony matters to you, ask for its area in writing alongside the carpet area rather than assuming it is included.
How do I check the carpet area of a flat?
For a RERA-registered project, the state RERA portal shows the carpet area of each unit type, and the agreement for sale must state it. You can also measure the rooms wall to wall and add internal walls. For resale flats, check the original agreement or the society’s records.
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