The CBC investigation found realtors had varying approaches to measuring the home size and the guidelines were open to interpretation.
Some measurements, for example, included patios and balconies while others even counted decks and condo parking spaces.
Michael Reilly believed the Edmonton condo he bought was 1,004 square feet but later found out it was actually 940 square feet.
“The realtor that sold me my condo inflated the square footage because perception matters.” he says.
He took his case to small claims court but lost because of fine print on the MLS listing that stated, “this information may not be accurate.”
Misleading condo measurements led to more than 1,000 complaints in Edmonton over the past two years.
New measurement standard
Fernandez said the Real Estate Council of Alberta decided in October 2013 that it needed to revise its education materials with respect to how properties are measured.
The new guidelines were the result of several years of discussion and consultation since he said. “Doing these things takes a long time.” Fernandez said.
The new measurement standard instructs realtors to:
- Identify if the measurement system is metric or imperial, and apply it consistently.
- For single-detached properties, measure the outside surface of the exterior walls at floor level.
- For properties with common walls, such as half-duplexes, townhouses, and apartments, measure the interior perimeter walls (paint-to-paint) at floor level. An additional area representation may be made assuming exterior measurements.
- Include floor levels that are entirely above grade and exclude floor levels if any portion is below grade. Below grade levels may be measured, but the area must not be included in the RMS (residential measurement standard) area.
- Include all additions to the main structure and conversions of above grade areas within the structure if they are weatherproof and suitable for year-round use.
- The property must have a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 2.13 metres (7 feet). If the ceiling is sloped, the area with a floor-to-ceiling height of at least 1.52 metres (5 feet) is included in the RMS area, provided there is a ceiling height of 2.13 metres (7 feet) somewhere in the room.
- Include extensions from the main structure that have a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 1.5 metres (5 feet), such as cantilevers, bay and bow windows, and dormers.
- Exclude open areas that have no floor, such as vaulted areas.
Question from the Comments
“How about [if the house comes] with a blueprint showing dimensions of all the rooms? It doesn’t have to be an architectural drawing, but something with actual numbers that can be verified.” – Comment by BeyondYourFrontDoor
Blueprints are a recipe. Often they are not what was built in the end. It is often hard to tell if the blueprint you may have is one of the first or last created in the building process. – Excelsior Measuring inc.
Original Article by Robson Fletcher