The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) has issued a cautionary advisory for homebuyers, urging them to prioritize carpet area over super built-up area when purchasing residential flats. According to UP RERA, the carpet area represents the actual usable space within a unit and should be the foundation for any buying decision.
Legal Mandate Under RERA Act
The authority highlighted that the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, mandates carpet area as the standard basis for disclosure and sale of apartments. Developers are required to list the number, type, and carpet area of their flats on the UP RERA portal. The carpet area reflects the actual area available for use, enabling buyers to make informed decisions.
Super Built-Up Area: A Potential Pitfall
While details of exclusive balconies, verandas, and open terraces must be disclosed, super built-up area figures are not mandated under the law. However, flats are often promoted on this basis. Super built-up area includes a proportionate share of common spaces such as corridors, staircases, lifts, lobbies, and clubhouses. UP RERA warned that super built-up area can sometimes hide the difference between the advertised size and the actual usable space inside the flat.
To bring greater transparency to the real estate sector and shield homebuyers from misleading information, the authority urged buyers to verify project details, including carpet area, on its portal before finalizing any property deal.
Understanding Carpet Area vs. Built-Up Area
As per Section 2(k) of the RERA Act, 2016, carpet area refers to 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. However, it includes the area covered by internal partition walls. In simple terms, it is the area where a carpet can be spread.
Built-up area, on the other hand, is the total physical footprint of a property, including the thickness of walls, balconies, and other structural elements. Super built-up area further extends to include common areas like lifts, staircases, swimming pools, gymnasiums, and lobbies. The built-up area of a property is always greater than its carpet area.
No Supply Crunch in Uttar Pradesh
UP RERA also recently addressed claims of a supply shortage, stating that more than 1.15 lakh residential and commercial units are currently on sale across the state. The authority cautioned buyers against rushed investment decisions fueled by narratives from some developers and brokers that prices are set to spike or inventory is running out. Such claims can pressure buyers and may not accurately reflect market conditions.
By focusing on carpet area and verifying details on the RERA portal, homebuyers can make smarter, more informed property decisions.
