Navigating Built-Up Area in Indian Real Estate: A Comprehensive Guide for Buyers and Investors

Introduction

Welcome to your go-to guide on understanding the Built-Up Area in Indian real estate. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, an investor, or simply curious about how property sizes are calculated in India, you’ve come to the right place.

This comprehensive and interactive blog aims to explain the concept of Built-Up Area and its significance in your property transactions.

What is a Built-Up Area?

The Built-Up Area of a property includes the carpet area, thickness of both internal and external walls, balconies, ducts, and service shafts. This measurement is crucial for understanding the total area you’re paying for. It differs from the RERA Carpet Area, which excludes the thickness of external walls and certain other components. The intricacies of these definitions have a significant impact on the valuation and usability of real estate properties in India.


1. Your apartment layout




2. Built Up Area

Breaking Down the Components

Carpet Area: This refers to the area within the walls where you can literally lay a carpet, excluding the thickness of the inner and external walls. It includes the bedrooms, bathrooms, hall, kitchen, store room, etc. The area underneath the internal and external walls of the apartment is not counted towards the carpet area calculation. The carpet area also excludes common areas such as lobbies, staircases, or any other common amenities.

Balconies, ducts, and service shafts: These are essential for the functionality of modern homes, providing ventilation, outdoor access, and spaces for utilities.

Wall thickness: This includes the area underneath the external and internal walls of the apartment or property. This will vary depending on the layout and the total perimeter of the apartment.

3. Carpet Area

Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + thickness of internal and external walls + balconies + ducts + services shafts

The built-up area includes the thickness of both internal and external walls, balconies, ducts, service shafts along with the carpet area of the apartment, adding to the total space accounted for in the property size. It excludes common areas such as the lobby, staircase, and common amenities.

Understanding the Differences

The distinction between Built-Up Area and Carpet Area can generally account for a 10-20% difference in the total area calculation. This difference is pivotal for buyers to understand, as it affects both the price of the property and its utility. We’ll explore examples and provide insights into how these measurements influence your property choices and investment considerations.

Navigating the Legal Landscape:

 With the introduction of RERA (Real Estate Regulatory & Development Act, 2016) builders are mandated not to quote prices based on the built-up area as it can be misleading for the buyers. Builders can only quote prices on the RERA Carpet Area of the apartment for RERA registered projects.

The Importance of Accurate Measurements

Accurate measurement of the Built-Up Area is essential for several reasons:

Financial Implications: The size of the property directly influences its price. Understanding the components of the Built-Up Area ensures that you get what you pay for.

Planning and Design: For architects and interior designers, accurate measurements are crucial for planning the layout and design of spaces.

Tips for Buyers

Ask for Clarity : Always request detailed breakdowns of the built-up area from the seller. In the case of RERA-registered properties, make sure the builder is quoting the price based on the RERA carpet area and not the built-up area of the apartment.

Size Doesn’t Matter! : Apart from merely evaluating built-up areas of different apartments, check whether the layout is efficient and suitable for your needs while comparing apartments. Sometimes a well-designed 1000 sq ft apartment can look bigger and more spacious than a 1200 sq ft apartment. You don’t want to be paying for an additional 200 sq ft that will eventually go into space wastage.

Conclusion

Understanding the built-up area is fundamental to making informed decisions in the Indian real estate market. By grasping the components that contribute to this measurement, you can navigate property purchases more confidently and ensure that your investments are sound. Remember, knowledge is power, especially when it comes to one of the most significant financial decisions of your life.

Engage with Our Community

Have thoughts or questions about the built-up area or real estate in India? Share them in the comments below. Your insights and experiences can help enlighten others and foster a community of well-informed property buyers and enthusiasts.

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