Anyone who has ever been involved in buying or selling a residential unit is familiar with them: the confusingly different square meter measurements.
Living area (also net area): The living area of a building unit is the area that can be entered or used: in other words, the gross area without walls. This only includes the area inside the house; terraces and balconies are not taken into account.
Gross area: The gross area is the area of an apartment including the interior and exterior walls. It is the total built-up area. The thicker the walls, the larger the gross area. Similarly, the number of walls increases the gross area.
Commercial area (also sales area): Anyone who wants to buy or sell a residential unit must first calculate the commercial area. This is derived from the gross area - the complete area of an apartment including the walls - plus coefficients. Spaces such as basements, garages, or additional areas such as gardens, balconies, or terraces are only partially included in the commercial area because they do not belong to the fully usable living area but still add value. Therefore, the gross area plus these coefficients results in the commercial or sales area. When multiplied by the square meter price - which is determined based on the location, position, and other factors related to the quality of living - the effective price is obtained. Garages or parking spaces are often added to the price as a lump sum and not calculated using coefficients.
Conventional area: The conventional area is the area required to apply for subsidies from the relevant authority. The conventional area is composed of various components. First, the living area of the apartment is increased by 25 percent. Furthermore, 25 percent of the balcony area is taken into account. In the case of loggias and unheated winter gardens, 50 percent of their area is added to the conventional area. Basement areas are considered at 30 percent, while 60 percent of the garage area is included. Open parking spaces are included at 30 percent in the conventional area. Additionally, 25 percent of the area of open colonnades on the ground floor are taken into account. If the terrace is exclusively available to the respective apartment, 15 percent of its area is included in the conventional area. The attic is considered at 30 percent, provided it does not meet the criteria for residential use according to hygiene regulations. However, only the part of the attic with a clear height of more than 1.50 meters is included. Rooms in the attic and basement are considered living spaces if they meet the minimum requirements for residential use according to hygiene regulations. In condominiums, certain shared areas are not added to the conventional area of individual apartments.
When it comes to real estate in general, real estate buying and selling, or working as a real estate agent, many questions often arise.
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