According to the RERA, carpet area is defined as ‘the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah area and exclusive open terrace area, but includes the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment’.

RERA carpet area is a useful measure for clients but may differ from the useable carpet area of an apartment because it includes interior walls of the apartment and also excludes certain areas like enclosed balconies, terraces and some other useable areas

Useable carpet area is a measure that excludes walls and includes all the areas where you can spread a ‘carpet’.

The below diagrams illustrate the difference between useable and RERA carpet area.

For example, enclosed balcony is a technical term used in approvals. An enclosed balcony is actually a part of your room and is useable but is declared as a balcony that has been ‘enclosed’ in approvals for FSI concessions – this is perfectly valid and legal, however under the definition of RERA carpet area, this area is excluded even though it is a part of your useable carpet area.

Useable area is a more useful measure for you as a customer. While comparing projects, check the useable carpet area.