UPRERA Advises Buyers To Verify Carpet Area Before Investing

In a move towards enhancing transparency in the real estate sector, Uttar Pradesh RERA (UPRERA) has advised prospective buyers to evaluate residential properties without confusing between the in-depth details and clauses. The housing body has asked the buyers to evaluate residential properties based on their carpet area rather than the commonly stated and revealed built-up area.

This advisory comes as part of UPRERA’s ongoing efforts to make sure that homebuyers are making informed decisions whenever they consider buying a property. The regulatory body clarified that carpet area is a representation of the actual usable or livable spaces provided within the residential unit; this size serves as the most accurate measure of the apartment.

“The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 and the Rules framed thereunder clearly lay down the carpet area as the standard measure for disclosure and sale of apartments. Under Section-4(2)(h) of the Act, a promoter is required to disclose on the UPRERA portal the number, type and carpet area of apartments offered for sale in a project, along with the area of exclusive balconies or verandahs and exclusive open terraces attached to the apartment. The legal provisions do not require disclosure of the super built-up area for this purpose,” stated in the release.

This announcement reinforces that this basic detail must be disclosed under any circumstances to the homebuyers, and it is their right which can not be denied by the seller or the builder. Under the law, the developers are required to provide details like carpet area and built-up area of the property on the UPRERA portal, as well as details of balconies, verandahs, and exclusive terraces.

Despite the legal responsibilities laid upon the developer, they continue to market their projects using the super built-up area. This causes confusion for the buyers as the super built-up area includes a proportionate share of the common facilities such as corridors, lift lobbies, clubhouses, and staircases. As a result of this, the offer may seem too good to pass up, as the advertised area varies greatly from the actual area made available, adding to the confusion.

This marketing trick may lead many homebuyers to overestimate the size of the property that they are interested in. Disclosing the carpet area makes the process transparent and leaves no room for developers and builders to exploit the loopholes. This way, buyers can also see the property for its actual worth and negotiate accordingly.

To make sure this happens, UPRERA has urged them to check the UPRERA portal before they finalise and make the transactions. It promoted greater transparency in the real estate sector in the state of Uttar Pradesh.