Usable floor area

The usable floor area of a dwelling is: ‘The total usable internal floor area of the dwelling as measured by the surveyor, rounded to the nearest square metre. A new modelling approach adopted since the 2013 report uses assumptions aligned with the Nationally Described Space Standard which was published as part of the Housing Standards Review. It excludes integral garages, balconies, stores accessed from the outside only and the area under external walls. The area remaining represents the total of all room areas, hallways and circulation space including cupboards and stairs. The area under internal partition walls is also included. Loft space is not included unless the loft is habitable, with a fixed stair in place to access it. Dwellings are also grouped into the following five categories:

• Less than 50m2.
• 50 to 69m2.
• 70 to 89m2.
• 90 to 109m2.
• 110m2 or more.’

Ref English Housing Survey, Energy efficiency, 2018-19, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government in July 2020.

See also: Total usable floor area.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Dwelling.
• Floor area ratio.
• Gross development area.
• Gross external area.
• Gross internal area.
• Gross site area.
• International Property Measurement Standards.
• Measurement of existing buildings.
• Net internal area.
• Occupant capacity of a building or space.
• Total usable floor area.