Until this standard, the notion of habitable surface was not clearly defined in Luxembourg. This lack of a calculation method could easily mislead sellers and buyers as to the real surface area of their homes.

Since 15 March 2016, this essential concept of living space has been clarified and rules have been established.

The ILNAS has created a standard relating to the surface area of dwellings, whether they are individual or located in a collective building, new or old. Henceforth, there are rules serving as a basis for calculating the living area in Luxembourg.

What the standard says

First of all, the standard defines that areas must be expressed in m² (square metres) within the building.

Secondly, here are some concrete examples of areas that must be included in the calculation of the living area:

• The living area includes the water rooms, living rooms, but also the clearances inside the dwelling (an important point that may differ from the calculation in other countries)
• It does not include parts of rooms with a ceiling height of less than 2 metres (in some countries this is 1.8 metres). Thus, attics or mezzanines will not count as living space, for example.
• It does not include walls, partitions, door and window openings
• It does not include the common areas
• It does not include terraces, balconies, gardens, cellars and garages

Why regulate the calculation of living space?

Limited to residential dwellings, the standard now offers a common language between consumers and professionals, and facilitates an objective comparison between several dwellings through its comprehensible calculation method.

This is the first national standard in the field of construction to be drawn up in Luxembourg, and it defines the way in which the living area of a dwelling is actually measured, and more particularly that of a flat located in the attic, or equipped with a mezzanine, or a flat with a balcony, or with a cellar.

To find out how to calculate the living area of a home in Luxembourg, see this article.

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