by Under MOFA (Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, 1963)
Definition (Section 2(k) – MOFA)
“Carpet area” means the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the walls.”
Interpretation (as per practice before RERA)
Builders used to define carpet area differently in brochures and agreements.
Generally, it included:
Area between internal walls.
Sometimes included balcony, flower beds, or dry balcony.
Each builder followed their own method (no uniformity).
Result:
MOFA carpet area = approximate usable area, but not strictly measured.
Many developers added 10–20% more as “dry area” or “flower bed,” creating confusion.
The Act didn’t have a standard measurement formula.
Under RERA (Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016)
Definition (Section 2(k) – RERA Act)
“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 including the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment.”
Key Features:
Uniform formula across India.
Includes: area covered by internal partition walls.
Excludes:
External walls
Balconies, flower beds, terraces
Service ducts/shafts
