In short
- The official area is the one registered in the cadastre.
- Listings often round the area up or add a balcony, loggia or cellar.
- A gap of a few square metres noticeably changes the price per m².
- Before you negotiate, recalculate the price using the cadastre area.
Where the gap comes from
Sellers and agents often write the area from memory, round it up, or add rooms that the cadastre records separately, such as a balcony, loggia or cellar. Sometimes the gap comes from alterations that were never registered.
Why it matters: price per m²
An example: a flat costs €100,000. At 52 m², that is €1,923/m². If the cadastre says 49.8 m², the real price is €2,008/m², €85 more for every square metre.
When you compare flats by price per m², always use the floor area from the cadastre, or you are comparing things that do not match.
How to check the area
- Find the flat on kadastrs.lv by address and log in with online banking or eParaksts: the area is shown only after you log in
- Compare the area of the group of premises with what the listing says
- Ask the seller for the cadastral survey file with the floor plan
- Compare the plan with what you see at the viewing
Common questions
Which area goes into the contract?
Contracts usually state the area registered in the cadastre.
Can I negotiate if the area turns out smaller?
Yes. Recalculate the price per m² using the cadastre area and compare it with similar deals.
Does a balcony count towards the flat's area?
Check the cadastre data: it shows what is included in the area of the group of premises.
Sources
- Kadastra informācijas sistēma · Valsts zemes dienests
This article is for information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. It may contain mistakes or be out of date, so check it against official sources or with a specialist before you decide. m²cena accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information in this article.