What is the difference between saleable area and gross floor area?

What does saleable area include?

Saleable area is the floor area of the flat, including any balcony, utility platform and verandah. A bay window, air-conditioning plant room, flat roof, roof, garden, cockloft and parking space are not counted. Their areas are listed separately.

The sales brochure, price list and advertisements for a first-hand residential property must state the area of a flat and its price per square foot in saleable area.

Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority

Why can gross floor area not be compared directly?

Gross floor area is generally the saleable area plus the flat's share of common areas such as lobbies, corridors, lift shafts and the clubhouse. Developments differ in which areas they apportion and how, so the usable space in two developments can differ greatly for the same gross floor area of 600 square feet.

How do you compare the price per square foot of two flats?

First confirm that both listings give the saleable area, then divide the price by the saleable area to get the price per square foot. Listings for older buildings sometimes give only the gross floor area. You can ask the lister for the saleable area, or refer to the property information provided by the Rating and Valuation Department.

• Same basis: compare a price per saleable square foot only with another price per saleable square foot.
• Note how much of the saleable area is taken up by the balcony and utility platform.
• Check the floor plan to see whether corridors and irregular corners affect where furniture can go.

Rating and Valuation Department

Listings with a floor plan

Common questions