Promoters
generally quote rates for apartments in terms of super built-up area so as to take care of
the proportionate share of common area in addition to the built-up area. Consequently, the
buyer is always sceptical about the extent of the actual usable area he gets as against
the super built-up area for which he is being asked to pay.
The Bureau of Indian Standards has published a manual (I.S-3861-1975). While it deals with
the measurement of the plinth area (built-up, covered area measured at the floor level of
the basement or of amy story), carpet area (covered area of all usable rooms at any floor
level) and rental area (usable carpet area at any floor level) it makes no mention of the
super built-up area at all. It is ironical that while apartments are being sold all over
the country on the basis of super built-up area, the Bureau of super built-up area, the
Bureau of Indian Standards has not thought of bringing out a standard, laying down
guidelines for determining the super built area. It is therefore left to the discretion of
the promoters of decide on the common areas (electrical room, lift room, security room,
servants' toilets etc.) and what should be included for this purpose of working out the
super built-up area. However, it is heartening to point out that the Karnataka Ownership
Apartments Promoters Association (KOAPA) has laid down definite guide lines on this
subject for the benefit of both its members and the buyers.
There have been several instances where prospective buyers, particularly institutions
including the public sector undertakings inviting offers for apartments stipulate that the
price should be quoted in terms of built-up area/carpet area. However, it is generally
known that while the promoters do give an indication of built-up and carpet areas of the
apartment offered, they insist on quoting rates in terms of super built-up areas. This
leads to a paculiar situation. On the other hand, the promoter quotes the rates in terms
of super built-up area, the buyer on the other hand never knows whether he is getting a
fair deal or not. Its therefore high time that the Bureau of Indian Standards takes up
this issue on priority and defines the guidelines for measuring the super built-up area.
Making it a rule that promoters should sell apartments quoting rates in terms of carpet
area only would ensure complete transparency. Here again the definition of carpet area
should be broadened to include all usable area in the apartment such as the bathroom,
toilet, kitchen, pantry, store room etc., contrary to what has been stated in
I.S-3861-1975. It would help if some representatives from promoters and builders of
apartments are nominated to serve on the Bureau of Indian Standards Sectional Committee
that deals with this subject so that their views are also considered while forming the
revised standards.
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