When dealing with a builder floor apartment, understanding the terms common area, carpet area, and plinth area is crucial as they help define how space is allocated and how the property is valued. Let’s go into more detail about each term:

1. Common Area

• Definition: The common area in a builder floor apartment refers to the shared spaces in a building or apartment complex that are accessible to all residents. These areas are not part of individual apartments but are used collectively by all the residents.

• Key Characteristics:

  • The common area is not owned by any individual apartment owner; rather, it is collectively owned by all the residents of the building.
  • Maintenance charges for common areas are shared among all residents based on the area of their apartments or other relevant criteria.
  • Common areas are essential for the functioning of the apartment complex and contribute to the overall quality of life, providing necessary infrastructure and services.

• Examples of Common Areas:

  • Entrance lobby
  • Staircases and corridors (internal and external)
  • Elevator shafts and the lifts (elevators)
  • Lobby or reception area
  • Common garden, parks, or open spaces
  • Clubhouse, gym, or recreational rooms
  • Swimming pool
  • Parking area (although parking spaces can sometimes be individually owned or allocated, in certain cases, the parking lot is considered a common area)

• Importance: The total area of the common area is typically divided proportionally among all apartment owners, contributing to each person’s share in the maintenance costs or taxes. While you don't have exclusive ownership of these spaces, they still contribute to the overall living experience.

2. Carpet Area

• Definition: Carpet area refers to the actual usable area inside the apartment, excluding the walls and any common areas. It is the area where you can place a carpet or furniture and use for your daily activities. It represents the inner floor space that is usable for living.

• Key Characteristics:

  • It does not include any areas like walls, balconies, or common areas.
  • It is measured from the inner walls of the apartment, so it reflects the true space available for living.
  • The carpet area is important because it is the space you will be using day-to-day for all activities.

• Examples of Carpet Area:

  • Living rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Kitchen
  • Bathrooms
  • Storerooms (if they are part of the apartment)
  • Corridors and passages that are within the apartment, not in the common areas.

• Importance: The carpet area is a key factor when buying a property because it directly correlates to how much usable space you get. It’s often the area buyers focus on when assessing the practical livability of a home.

3. Plinth Area

• Definition: Plinth area refers to the total area covered by the building at the floor level. It includes not only the carpet area but also the thickness of walls and any projection of the building, such as balconies, if included as part of the structure. It is essentially the total built-up area of the floor but is slightly different from the built-up area (as it excludes certain additional elements).

• Key Characteristics:

  • The plinth area includes all the internal spaces of the apartment, including the walls (both internal and external), but it does not include external spaces like balconies, terraces, or open areas (unless specified).
  • The plinth area will always be larger than the carpet area because it accounts for the walls and structural elements of the apartment.
  • The plinth area is important for calculating the construction cost of the property, as it represents the physical size of the building.

• Examples of Plinth Area:

  • The floor area of the apartment, including all walls (internal and external) and columns.
  • Spaces with any built-in elements like cupboards or shelves that form part of the construction.

• Importance: The plinth area is typically used by builders, architects, or property valuers to calculate the total construction cost of a building. It helps in determining property tax, stamp duty, and sometimes maintenance charges.

How These Areas are Different:

• Carpet area is the usable area inside the apartment, ideal for daily living.
• Plinth area includes the apartment's internal and external walls but excludes external spaces.
• Common areas are shared spaces that are used by all residents in the building, contributing to maintenance costs and overall space usage.

When purchasing or renting a builder floor apartment, it’s important to understand these distinctions, as they influence the total price, space usage, and maintenance costs associated with the property.

https://www.livehomes.in/blogs