Navigating the real estate market in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, can be challenging with terms like “carpet area” and “built-up area” frequently causing confusion. If you’ve ever found these terms difficult to grasp, you’re not alone. Understanding these concepts is crucial, especially when purchasing property in this bustling city.
When buying an apartment in Chennai, familiarizing yourself with terms such as Undivided Share of Land (UDS), Carpet Area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area is essential. These terms can often be a source of confusion, but this article aims to clarify them, offering clear definitions and practical examples to make your property-buying process smoother.
Undivided Share of Land (UDS)
In Chennai, the concept of Undivided Share of Land (UDS) is particularly significant. UDS refers to the portion of land that a property owner possesses in proportion to their share of the entire property. When you purchase an apartment, you’re not just buying the unit; you also own a share of the land on which the building stands.
Example: Imagine you buy an apartment in a complex with 10 units and a total land area of 10,000 square feet. Your UDS would be 1,000 square feet (10% of the total land area). This ownership becomes crucial if the building is ever demolished or redeveloped, as the value of your land share remains substantial, impacting the resale value of your property.
Carpet Area
Carpet Area represents the actual usable area within the walls of an apartment where you can lay a carpet. It excludes the thickness of the inner walls but includes spaces such as the kitchen, bedrooms, living room, and bathrooms. According to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) in Tamil Nadu, an apartment buyer should be charged based on the carpet area. Carpet area is defined as the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah area, and exclusive open terrace area, but including the area covered by internal partition walls of the apartment. This ensures transparency and fairness in the pricing of residential properties.
Formula: Carpet Area = Total Built-Up Area – Thickness of the Inner Walls
Example: If the total area within the walls of your apartment is 1,000 square feet and the thickness of the walls is 100 square feet, the carpet area would be 900 square feet. This measure is crucial for buyers as it represents the actual living space.
Built-Up Area
Built-Up Area includes the Carpet Area plus the area occupied by the walls and the balcony. This measure is larger than the Carpet Area because it accounts for the thickness of the walls and other additional spaces. Typically, the carpet area comprises about 70% of the built-up area, though this can vary based on the design and layout of the apartment.
Formula: Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + Thickness of the Inner Walls + Area of Balcony
Example: Continuing from the previous example, if the area occupied by the walls is 100 square feet and the balcony is 50 square feet, the built-up area would be 1,050 square feet.
Super Built-Up Area
Super Built-Up Area includes the Built-Up Area plus the proportional share of common areas like lobbies, staircases, lifts, and amenities such as the clubhouse and gym. This is often referred to as the “saleable” area, and it’s the number most real estate agents or builders will quote. Builders often charge based on the super built-up area (also known as the saleable area) because it includes not just the carpet area of the apartment but also a proportionate share of the common areas, such as lobbies, staircases, lift shafts, and amenities. Here are some reasons why builders might do this:
- Inclusion of Common Areas: The super built-up area accounts for the shared spaces that every resident uses and benefits from. By charging for these areas, builders recover the cost of constructing and maintaining these communal facilities.
- Higher Revenue: Charging based on super built-up area typically results in higher overall pricing, which increases the revenue for builders.
- Industry Norm: For a long time, the real estate industry standard was to sell properties based on the super built-up area. This practice has persisted even after regulations like RERA emphasize charging based on carpet area.
- Buyer Perception: Some buyers may perceive more value in having access to extensive amenities and well-maintained common areas, making them more willing to pay for the super built-up area.
However, under RERA, builders are mandated to clearly state the carpet area and ensure that buyers are aware of what they are actually paying for, promoting greater transparency in real estate transactions.
Formula: Super Built-Up Area = Built-Up Area + (Percentage of Common Areas × Built-Up Area)
Example: If the Built-Up Area of your apartment is 1,050 square feet and your proportional share of common areas is 150 square feet, the super built-up area would be 1,200 square feet. Developers typically price apartments based on the Super Built-Up Area, so understanding this concept is crucial to knowing the actual usable space you are getting.
Areas Covered in Carpet, Built-Up, and Super Built-Up
Understanding the distinctions among Carpet Area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area is essential. The Carpet Area includes all rooms such as the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. The Built-Up Area encompasses the Carpet Area plus the thickness of inner walls and the balcony. The Super Built-Up Area further includes common areas like lobbies, staircases, lifts, and other amenities.
In Chennai, where the real estate market is thriving, knowing these terms can help you make better-informed decisions. Here’s a quick recap:
- UDS: This is your share of the total land on which the building is constructed.
- Carpet Area: This is the actual usable area within the apartment walls, providing a clear idea of the living space.
- Built-Up Area: This includes the Carpet Area plus the area of the walls and balcony, giving a broader perspective of the total space within the property.
- Super Built-Up Area: This includes the Built-Up Area plus a proportional share of common areas, reflecting the total saleable area of the property.
By understanding these distinctions, you can better evaluate properties and avoid potential misunderstandings about the actual living space you are purchasing. Always ensure you get clear details from developers regarding these areas to make a well-informed investment. Additionally, consider the efficiency ratio (Carpet Area/Super Built-Up Area) of the apartment; a higher ratio indicates a better layout with less wasted space.
Before investing your hard-earned money, take the time to thoroughly understand the real estate details in Chennai. By doing so, you can make a sound investment that meets your needs and offers good value for money.
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