Arif HussainShopping properties are one of the best ways of investing your money and it can be one of the most expensive assets of our life. That’s why understanding all the terms is essential. However, it can get stressful when you hear terms that you don’t understand. For example, what is a maisonette? It is a common term used when dealing with properties. It is a lesser-known cousin of a flat. If you are linguist then you might know that the word maisonette is a french word that means “small house”. Knowing such small details can help you avoid costly mistakes. That’s why in this article, we will unravel all the ins and outs of exactly what is a maisonette?
The maisonette meaning and how it is different from other flats or houses.
What Is A Maisonette?
The maisonette definition can vary depending on where you are living. For example, many people ask, what is a maisonette in the UK? The answer would be in the United Kingdom, it is a Self-contained flat that has a separate exit and entrance unlike other flats in the building. It is mostly a two-level affair, and not a single-level flat. Whereas in the United States, it is also known as a penthouse, which is usually the top floor of a high raised building. In Scotland, it is one in a group of duplex flats, positioned on top of each other as part of a housing block, accessed via a communal entrance.
What Does A Maisonette Look Like?
One thing that’s common in all is it is a flat where you don’t have a communal area for entrance. You have your own direct entrance from the street to the maisonette. But depending on the place you are living it could be a duplex or it could be a flat single storey or double storey doesn’t matter. Nowadays most common it’s are two-storey buildings and have an open garden with their own entrance and staircase for the upper maisonette.
What Is The Difference Between Flat And Maisonette?
People always have confusion about maisonettes and flats. Although they are quite similar, there are some key differences as well. The flat consists of multiple rooms all spaced on one single floor, however, it can be a duplex or more than one level. The large difference between a flat and a maisonette is that with the flat you have your front door in a commonplace vicinity shared by other flat proprietors and you need to move through the common region to exit the building or vice versa. But in a maisonette, it is not the case. Here you don’t have a communal area for entrance. You have your direct entrance from the street to the maisonette. Also, it is much more expensive to buy than flats. If you would make the space of a maisonette from a block of flats, a maisonette itself would be about 25% cheaper than the similar space in that block.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Maisonette
When compared to a flat, a maisonette gives you better comfort when it comes to privacy. It has its entrance door separate from the communal area which makes you feel like it is your own house. You can have your post box and security guard if you think you need extra privacy and protection. Upper maisonettes floor can also benefit from a private outdoor space.
Another advantage of having a maisonette over flats is that other neighbours will have fewer issues about having the common part clean. Because you will have a separate entrance where no one else will interfere. It generally has more storage space than single floor flats because they are mostly duplex or 2 two-level buildings. A maisonette is a right next step to move to if you are in a flat. Another advantage of having Victorian maisonettes is that they allow extension in your maisonettes. But there are some strict rules and regulations which must be followed.
Although maisonettes are cheaper than houses, they are still not houses. There are a few drawbacks as well. These drawbacks can be similar to flats, for example, some noisy neighbours, As it might be on high street shops there might be unwanted smell from streets or restaurants which also depends whether you are living near the street or not. Building fabrics and other external areas should also be maintained as there will be neighbours nearby. Another disadvantage of having maisonettes is that although they allow extension in your maisonettes, there are some strict rules and regulations which must be followed. Unlike houses permitted development rights do not apply to maisonettes and flats. Whenever you want to extend or modify your maisonette you must take Planning permission no matter what. This is mostly an honest process that needs to take around eight weeks from the submission of drawings to the local authority.
Is A Maisonette A House?
Not necessarily. The maisonette is much more affordable than houses. Many people consider Maisonette the same house. Although they could have the same size and design still there is some key difference in them. A house could have different shapes and sizes and usually is an independent property whilst a maisonette property is a flat that most probably has a separate door to the out of doors within the same building with other types of properties.
What Is The Difference Between A Maisonette And A Duplex?
In the United States, most people call a two-storey maisonettes duplex. Not only in the United States there are other areas as well that mismatch between the two. But they are basically the same thing. Maisonettes can be called a duplex and vice versa.
Are Maisonettes Purpose-Built?
Yes, a maisonette can be purpose-built, or it can also be created when converting a house into flats.
Thanks for reading our article about what is a maisonette. Best of luck.
