Key facts
- UP RERA advises homebuyers to use carpet area for property verification, not super area.
- The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, mandates carpet area for disclosures and sales agreements.
- Builders are legally required to disclose carpet area details on the UPRERA portal.
- Homebuyers can independently verify apartment carpet areas on the UPRERA web portal.
- Carpet area represents the actual usable living space, while super area includes common amenities.
The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) has issued an advisory urging homebuyers to prioritize carpet area when purchasing residential properties, emphasizing that it represents the actual usable living space. The authority highlighted that the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, and its associated rules mandate that sale agreements and project disclosures be based on carpet area, not the often larger super built-up area.
According to UP RERA, under Section 4(2)(h) of the Act, builders are required to disclose the carpet area of apartments offered for sale on the UPRERA portal. This disclosure also includes exclusive balconies, verandahs, and terraces. The authority clarified that the law does not require the disclosure of super built-up area for these purposes, and the prescribed format for the Agreement for Sale also specifies sales based on carpet area.
Homebuyers are encouraged to visit the UPRERA web portal to independently verify the carpet area of apartments before finalizing any property transaction. Experts like Sachin Vyas, Chief Sales Officer at Square Yards, explained that carpet area is the space one can actually use and is what builders must sell for under RERA. He noted that understanding carpet area helps in accurately comparing prices and avoiding discrepancies that can arise from using the super built-up area, which includes a proportional share of common facilities like corridors, staircases, and lobbies.
Vikas Bhasin, Managing Director of Saya Group, echoed this sentiment, stating that understanding carpet area is crucial for homebuyers to ascertain the value they are paying for usable space and to compare offerings across different projects. Generally, the carpet area constitutes about 70% to 80% of the super built-up area, though this ratio can vary based on building design and amenities. Experts advise focusing on the price per square foot of carpet area for a more accurate assessment of a home's value.