UPRERA Issues Crucial Advisory Urging Homebuyers to Purchase Apartments Solely Based on Carpet Area
Lucknow/ Gautam Buddh Nagar, June 11, 2026: In a major step aimed at enhancing market transparency and safeguarding the interests of consumers, the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA) has issued a formal advisory urging homebuyers to evaluate and purchase residential units strictly on the basis of their carpet area, which represents the actual liveable space within an apartment, UPRERA said in a press statement.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, and its accompanying rules establish carpet area as the mandatory standard for the sale and disclosure of apartments. Under Section 4(2)(h) of the Act, promoters must explicitly disclose on the UPRERA portal the number, type, and carpet area of apartments for sale, alongside the exact measurements of exclusive balconies, verandahs, or open terraces. The regulatory body clarified that statutory provisions do not require or recognize the disclosure of “super built-up area” for these transactions. Furthermore, state rules mandate that apartment sizes must be disclosed via carpet area, even if the units were previously marketed under different metrics, and the legally prescribed Agreement for Sale format strictly allows transactions based on carpet area alone.
The regulatory authority noted that despite these legal frameworks, properties are frequently marketed using super built-up area. This metric incorporates a proportionate share of common areas—such as corridors, staircases, lifts, lobbies, and clubhouses—added to the carpet area through a loading mechanism. This calculation yields a figure significantly larger than the actual usable space, often masking the true dimensions of the flat and leaving buyers unaware of the discrepancy between advertised space and actual liveable area.
To protect consumers from misleading claims regarding liveable space and to foster informed decision-making, UPRERA is actively educating buyers on prioritizing carpet area. This emphasis allows for accurate, fair comparisons across different real estate projects. UPRERA has strongly advised prospective homebuyers to visit its official web portal prior to finalizing any real estate transaction, where they can independently verify the promoter-submitted carpet area details. The regulatory authority reaffirmed its long-term commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and consumer protection across the real estate sector in Uttar Pradesh.
