House or apartment?

Jonno118

Im looking into getting on the property market but not sure what to go for.
Im single and currently living in flats but not liking it as I got problems with neighbours (noise) .
What are the pros and cons for living in a house,apartment or bungalow?

thanks for advise.

Yorkie1

Flats: pros:
- no direct responsibility for structural stuff
- less maintenance of outside areas

Flats: cons:
- more neighbours around, therefore higher risk of noise & fall-outs
- service charges / ground rent (can't remember the technical term) / building repairs which you have no control over
- depending on set-up, there may be a management company which won't do repairs or provide appropriate consents etc
- depreciating asset if the lease isn't very long
- no outside space
- may not be able to let it out if you want to / greater restrictions on what you can & can't do in the terms of the lease
- can be harder to re-sell, particularly 1 bed flats

Houses: cons
- areas of maintenance greater

Houses: pros:
- generally freehold so no additional charges
- generally more outside space
- generally fewer neighbours
- probably easier to re-sell

How's that for starters? Flats do suit some people, but the general advice on here is to go for a house if you can manage to do so.

callmechar

For me its a house... definitely. Why bother owning a property then having to pay for a lease and service charges? Want my home to be all mine!

breadlinebetty

Not all flats are leasehold, some are actually freehold. And not all flats have service/maintenance charges - though many do of course. It depends if it's a flat in a block, a conversion, maisonette etc.....then you have swish penthouse type apartments......

Some flats are far superior to some houses. You can get some beautiful houses, but equally you can get some horrible ugly houses in horrible areas - likewise flats! Same with neighbours. You could live in flat and have wonderful neighbours and not hear a pin drop if the property is solidly built etc, while you can live in a house and have next door neighbours or neighbours opposite who make your life hell with revving their cars late at night, anti social behaviour, loud music, fighting etc -

It really isn't cut and dry what is better - it all depends on the actual property and the area etc.

callmechar

breadlinebetty wrote: »

Not all flats are leasehold, some are actually freehold. And not all flats have service/maintenance charges - though many do of course. It depends if it's a flat in a block, a conversion, maisonette etc.....then you have swish penthouse type apartments......

Some flats are far superior to some houses. You can get some beautiful houses, but equally you can get some horrible ugly houses in horrible areas - likewise flats! Same with neighbours. You could live in flat and have wonderful neighbours and not hear a pin drop if the property is solidly built etc, while you can live in a house and have next door neighbours or neighbours opposite who make your life hell with revving their cars late at night, anti social behaviour, loud music, fighting etc -

It really isn't cut and dry what is better - it all depends on the actual property and the area etc.

I guess but I do not like flats