Also called: Leasable area, Super area (commercial)
The area a commercial rent or price is charged on, usually the unit's carpet area plus a share of common areas (similar to super built-up area). The gap between chargeable and carpet area is the loading; ask for both figures.
How it works and what to check
Offices and malls are usually let on chargeable or leasable area, which adds a share of lobbies, corridors and services to the unit's carpet area. The share is the loading or efficiency, and it varies by building.
Two offices with the same rent per square foot can cost very differently per usable square foot if their loading differs.
Common questions
What is efficiency in an office?
Carpet area as a share of chargeable area. Higher efficiency means more of what you pay for is usable.