Carpet area in property ads under RERA: Andhra Pradesh, Vizag and Vijayawada (section 2(k), what to write in listings)
Short answer: Under the RERA Act, carpet area is the usable floor inside the flat, including internal walls, but excluding external walls, service shafts and the exclusive balcony or terrace (section 2(k)). The promoter discloses it on the project's AP-RERA registration (section 4(2)(h)). In a Vizag, Vijayawada or Guntur ad, quote the carpet area as registered, show balcony or terrace area separately, and keep the AP-RERA number and website in the same ad (section 11(2)).
What the Act says, in plain words
"carpet area" means 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.
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, section 2(k)
- Counted: the floor you can actually use inside the flat, including the space under the internal partition walls.
- Not counted: external walls, service shafts, and the exclusive balcony, verandah or open terrace. The Act's Explanation says "exclusive" means attached to the flat and meant only for that buyer's use.
- Not defined at all: the Act does not use the terms "super built-up area", "saleable area" or "plinth area". If an ad uses them, they are the seller's own measure, not the legal one.
Where the carpet area must be disclosed
- On the project's RERA registration (section 4(2)(h)): the promoter must give the number, type and carpet area of the apartments for sale, along with the exclusive balcony or verandah and open terrace areas, if any. Section 11(1) puts these details on the promoter's page on the AP-RERA (rera.ap.gov.in) website for public viewing.
- In every ad (section 11(2)): the advertisement must prominently mention the RERA website address and the project's registration number. See our Andhra Pradesh guide to the registration number in ads.
- If an ad is wrong (section 12): a person who pays an advance or deposit relying on an incorrect or false statement in an ad, or on a model flat, is to be compensated by the promoter; if they withdraw, the Act says the entire investment is returned with interest at the prescribed rate.
- Before paying more than 10% (section 13(1)): the promoter must first sign and register a written agreement for sale.
To verify: whether Andhra Pradesh's own RERA rules or orders add more ad-format rules (for example, a carpet-area-only price, or an allowed area variation in the agreement) is not shown in the Act text we read. Check the AP-RERA (rera.ap.gov.in) website or ask a lawyer. Not legal advice.
Checklist: carpet area in your listing or reel
- Open the project on the AP-RERA (rera.ap.gov.in) website (how to look it up) and copy the carpet area for that unit type from the registration details
- Write "Carpet area: ___ sq ft (___ sq m) as per RERA registration" and show the exclusive balcony or terrace area separately
- If you also quote a built-up or super built-up figure, label it clearly and never let it read as the carpet area
- Keep the RERA registration number and the RERA website address in the same ad, caption or poster
- Price per sq ft: say which area it is on, so the buyer can compare like with like
- Buyers: ask for the carpet area in writing and match it to the registration and the agreement for sale
Unit check: 1 square metre is about 10.764 square feet.
Selling in Hyderabad? See the Telangana carpet area guide.
A free sample from our Andhra Pradesh broker content kit: ready captions and WhatsApp replies written to keep the RERA details in every ad.
Get it free (instant download)FAQ
What is carpet area under RERA?
Section 2(k) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 defines it as the net usable floor area of a flat, excluding external walls, service shafts and exclusive balcony, verandah or open terrace areas, but including internal partition walls.
Is super built-up area allowed in property ads?
The Act does not define super built-up area. The carpet area is the figure the promoter discloses on the RERA registration under section 4(2)(h). If you mention another area, label it so it cannot be mistaken for the carpet area, and check your state's RERA rules.
Is the balcony part of carpet area?
No. An exclusive balcony, verandah or open terrace is excluded from carpet area under section 2(k). Section 4(2)(h) asks for those areas to be disclosed separately.
What can a buyer do if the ad overstated the area?
Section 12 says a person who paid an advance relying on an incorrect or false statement in an ad is to be compensated by the promoter, and can withdraw with a refund plus interest. Complaints go to the state RERA authority. Not legal advice.
Where do I find the carpet area of an Andhra Pradesh project?
Search the project on rera.ap.gov.in and open its registration details; section 4(2)(h) requires the carpet area of each apartment type to be given there.
Official sources
- Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016: official copy hosted by Kerala RERA
- AP-RERA (Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority)
Not legal advice. We don't check properties or certify ads. A lawyer must confirm title, and the Authority's own notices override anything on this page.