What is carpet area under RERA?
Also called: RERA carpet area definition, Section 2(k) carpet area, net usable floor area
Under Section 2(k) of the RERA Act, carpet area is the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding external walls, service shafts, exclusive balconies or verandahs and exclusive open terraces, but including the area under internal partition walls.
Before 2017, flats in Noida and Gurugram were priced almost entirely on super area, which folded in lobbies, lift wells, the clubhouse and a share of the basement. A buyer paying for 1,500 sq ft might get around 1,050 sq ft of usable floor. RERA dragged carpet area into the open. Section 4(2)(h) makes the builder disclose the number, type and carpet area of apartments, and the model agreement for sale in state rules prices the flat on carpet area.
Read the definition closely. The walls between your bedroom and living room count. External walls don't, and nor do the balcony, the service shaft behind the kitchen or an exclusive terrace, which must be shown separately. The Explanation to Section 2(k) describes the exclusive balcony and terrace areas as those attached to the flat's usable area and meant for the buyer's exclusive use.
Mumbai buyers will remember the older MOFA carpet area, which counted balconies, so flats sold before and after 2017 aren't directly comparable. A flat once sold as 650 sq ft carpet can shrink on paper under RERA without losing an inch.
The model agreements in most states handle measurement differences too. If the carpet area delivered is smaller than agreed, the builder refunds the excess with interest. If it's larger, the builder can charge for the increase only up to 3% of the carpet area. Get the flat measured wall to wall after possession and compare it with the agreement.
A 2 BHK in Wakad lists 745 sq ft of carpet area with a 60 sq ft balcony shown separately. At ₹9,500 per sq ft of carpet, the price is about ₹70.8 lakh, and the balcony shouldn't be billed as carpet.
Comparing a RERA carpet figure with an older resale listing's "carpet" that includes the balcony, or even the walls.
Questions people ask about carpet area under RERA
Can a builder still quote super area after RERA?
It can mention it, but the agreement for sale must state the carpet area and the price for it. Some NCR cost sheets still use super area to bill maintenance and EDC.
Is the balcony included in RERA carpet area?
No. Exclusive balconies, verandahs and open terraces are left out of carpet area and disclosed separately.