Carpet Area
The net usable floor area of an apartment measured from inner wall to inner wall, excluding the thickness of walls, balconies, terraces, common areas, and ducts. Under RERA, carpet area is the basis for all residential sales.
Real Estate & Interior Design Glossary 2026 | PropyMart
49+ key terms covering Indian real estate, interior design, legal documents, and home finance — defined clearly for home buyers, sellers, and design enthusiasts.
Super Built-Up Area
The carpet area plus the proportionate share of common areas such as lobbies, staircases, lifts, and other shared spaces. Developers often quote prices on super built-up area, making it appear cheaper per sqft.
Built-Up Area
Carpet area plus the area under the walls, columns, and exclusive balconies/terraces. Typically 10–15% more than carpet area.
RERA
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. RERA regulates the Indian real estate sector, mandating that all residential projects above 500 sqm or 8 units must be registered. It protects home buyers by ensuring project transparency, timely delivery, and grievance redressal.
RERA Registration Number
A unique identifier issued by the state RERA authority to a registered project. Home buyers can look up a project on the state RERA portal using this number to check approvals, developer details, and project status.
Ready Reckoner Rate
The minimum value per sqft set by the state government for property transactions in each area. Used to calculate stamp duty and registration charges. Also called Circle Rate in some states.
FSI / FAR
Floor Space Index (or Floor Area Ratio) is the ratio of total built-up area to the plot area. An FSI of 2.0 means the total construction on a plot can be twice the plot area. Higher FSI = more floors/units allowed.
OC (Occupancy Certificate)
A certificate issued by the local civic body confirming that the building has been constructed as per the approved plan and is fit for occupation. Banks require an OC before disbursing a home loan.
CC (Completion Certificate)
A document issued by the local authority confirming that construction is complete and all building regulations have been complied with. Required before applying for an Occupancy Certificate.
Khata
A document maintained by the local municipality recording ownership details and tax records for a property. A Khata certificate and extract are required for property registration and applying for utility connections in Karnataka and some other states.
Encumbrance Certificate
A certificate showing all registered transactions (mortgages, liens, sales) on a property during a specified period. Lenders and buyers use it to verify the property has a clear title with no legal dues.
Title Deed
A legal document establishing the ownership of a property. A clear title means the property is free from any disputes, liens, or encumbrances. Banks verify title deeds before sanctioning home loans.
NOC (No Objection Certificate)
A document from a relevant authority stating no objection to a particular transaction. Home buyers need NOCs from the bank on resale, and from the society for subletting.
SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority)
Maharashtra government body that oversees the redevelopment of slum areas. SRA flats have a 10-year lock-in period before resale.
Possession Date
The date on which a developer hands over the physical keys and ownership of a unit to the buyer. Under RERA, delay beyond the committed possession date entitles buyers to a refund or interest at prescribed rates.
BHK (Bedroom Hall Kitchen)
Standard Indian real estate notation for apartment size. A 2BHK has 2 bedrooms, 1 hall/living room, and 1 kitchen. Studio apartments are listed as 1 RK (Room Kitchen) or 0.5BHK in some markets.
Loading Factor
The percentage difference between super built-up area and carpet area. A loading factor of 30% means you pay for 30% more area than you can actually use. RERA mandates selling on carpet area to eliminate loading ambiguity.
Leasehold vs Freehold
Freehold means absolute ownership of land and building with no time limit. Leasehold means the government or an authority owns the land, and the buyer holds a lease — common in Delhi (DDA flats), Noida, Greater Noida.
Stilt Parking
An open parking space on the ground floor beneath the residential floors, supported by pillars. More economical than a covered basement parking slot.
Floor Rise Charge
An additional premium charged by developers for higher floors due to better views and less noise. Typically ₹25–₹200 per sqft per floor above a base floor threshold.
EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment)
A fixed monthly payment made to a lender to repay a home loan, comprising both principal and interest. EMI = [P × r × (1+r)^n] ÷ [(1+r)^n – 1] where P = principal, r = monthly interest rate, n = tenure in months.
Home Loan
A secured loan from a bank or NBFC to purchase or construct a property. The property acts as collateral. Indian banks offer home loans at 8–10% p.a. (floating) for up to 30 years.
Pre-EMI
The interest paid to the bank on the disbursed loan amount before the full loan is released. Full EMI starts after complete disbursement.
Stamp Duty
A state government tax paid on property purchase agreements. Rates vary by state — typically 5–7% of transaction value. Maharashtra: 5% for women, 6% for men. Karnataka: 5.6% on properties above ₹45L.
Registration Charges
Fees paid to the sub-registrar's office to legally register the sale deed. Typically 1% of the property value, capped at ₹30,000 in some states.
LTCG (Long-Term Capital Gains)
Tax on profit from selling a property held for more than 2 years. LTCG is 12.5% without indexation from FY 2024–25. Section 54 exemption allows reinvesting gains in a new residential property to avoid tax.
TDS on Property
Buyers must deduct 1% TDS on purchase price if the property value exceeds ₹50 lakh. Deducted from the seller's payment and deposited with the government via Form 26QB.
Home Loan Pre-Approval
A conditional approval from a bank stating the maximum loan amount eligible, based on income and credit score. Valid for 6 months. Speeds up the purchase process and strengthens negotiating position.
CIBIL Score
Credit score (range 300–900) used by Indian lenders to assess loan eligibility. A score above 750 generally qualifies for home loans at the best interest rates. Maintained by TransUnion CIBIL.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
Government scheme providing interest subsidy on home loans for EWS, LIG, and MIG categories. CLSS under PMAY offers up to ₹2.67 lakh subsidy on home loan interest.
Turnkey Interior
A complete end-to-end interior design and execution service where the designer handles everything from design to procurement to installation. The client receives a fully finished space ready to move in.
Modular Kitchen
A kitchen with factory-made cabinets, shutters, and hardware that are assembled on-site. Available in L-shape, U-shape, parallel, and straight configurations. Typical cost in India: ₹1.5L–₹6L.
Scope of Work
A document that specifies exactly what work an interior designer or contractor will perform, the materials to be used, timelines, and cost breakdown. Critical to review before signing a contract.
False Ceiling
A secondary ceiling hung below the main structural ceiling to conceal wiring, pipes, HVAC ducts, and improve aesthetics. Common materials: gypsum boards (POP), PVC, wood. Cost: ₹80–₹250 per sqft.
POP (Plaster of Paris)
A white powder material used for creating smooth wall finishes, false ceilings, and decorative cornices. Cheaper and quicker to apply than gypsum board but less water-resistant.
Laminates vs Veneer
Laminates are synthetic sheets applied over engineered wood — durable, scratch-resistant, available in many colours. Veneer is a thin slice of real wood — more premium look but less durable. Veneer is 2–3x the cost of laminates.
BOQ (Bill of Quantities)
An itemized list of all materials, quantities, and costs for an interior project. A detailed BOQ protects the client from surprise cost escalations and forms the basis of the contract.
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)
Engineered wood product made from wood fibres bonded under heat and pressure. Used for furniture, cabinetry, and wall panelling. Cheaper than plywood but less moisture-resistant.
Plywood Grade (BWR / MR)
BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) grade plywood is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. MR (Moisture Resistant) grade is for dry areas like wardrobes. IS 303 & IS 710 are the relevant Indian standards.
Wardrobe Sliding vs Hinged
Hinged wardrobes need 2–3 feet of clearance for doors to open; better for large bedrooms. Sliding doors save space and suit smaller rooms. Sliding hardware costs more but is more durable.
Italian Marble vs Vitrified Tiles
Italian marble costs ₹150–₹800/sqft and requires sealing and periodic polishing. Vitrified tiles cost ₹50–₹300/sqft, are low-maintenance, and available in marble-look finishes.
Lighting (Ambient / Task / Accent)
Ambient lighting provides general illumination. Task lighting is focused for work areas. Accent lighting highlights features. A good interior plan layers all three.
Cove Lighting
Indirect lighting concealed in a ledge or recess in a false ceiling that directs light upward for a warm, diffused glow. Popular in living rooms and master bedrooms.
Exposed Brick / Industrial Style
A design aesthetic that keeps structural elements visible — exposed brick walls, concrete, metal piping, Edison bulbs. Popular for studio apartments and home offices.
Biophilic Design
An interior design approach that incorporates natural elements — plants, natural light, water features, wood, stone — to improve occupant well-being and connection with nature.
Vastu Shastra
An ancient Indian science of architecture and spatial arrangement. Many Indian home buyers request Vastu-compliant layouts — e.g., main entrance facing North/East, kitchen in South-East, master bedroom in South-West.
Cost per Sqft (Interior)
A benchmark used to estimate total interior design cost. Basic: ₹800–₹1,200/sqft; mid-range: ₹1,500–₹2,500/sqft; premium: ₹3,000–₹6,000/sqft+. Calculated on carpet area.
3D Visualization / Rendering
A photorealistic digital preview of the interior design created before actual execution. Helps clients approve the look, materials, and furniture placement. Most designers offer 3D renders as part of their design fee.
Walnut vs Teak Wood
Teak is the most popular hardwood in India — strong, termite-resistant, golden-brown. Used for doors and premium furniture. Walnut is dark and rich-grained. Both are significantly more expensive than MDF or plywood.