How to differentiate a flat from a house/bungalow

PIP83

I thought I was buying a mid-terraced mezzanine style bungalow, freehold.

The bank have come back and refused to lend, claiming that it is a freehold flat which goes against their lending policy.

I don't get what makes them think it's a flat?
There's no one living above or below - the block is all single storey.
On Rightmove house price history some identical properties in the block are labelled as houses, others as flats despite all being identical.

I've looked at the Title Register but that doesn't say anything.  I've asked my solicitor and all they've done is ask me is it a house or flat....when that's the whole question I'm asking them.   Arrggh!

Does anyone here know of anything that would define whether it's a flat or a bungalow/house?

Thanks

lincroft1710

It used to be that if a property was horizontally divided from its neighbours it was a flat/maisonette, and if vertically, a house or bungalow. Is this property a "cluster home" usually a square building subdivided into 4 smaller squares, which are definitely houses

PIP83

I'd have said it was a cluster home.
With that block divided into 6 properties
One thing it lacks is a private garden - but I've seen city centre "houses" without any garden

lincroft1710

Definitely looks like a house. I would send the bank floorplans and photos and if no joy use a mortgage broker 

cr1mson

RICS Find a Surveyor - Residential property types definitions (ricsfirms.com)

I am confused re mention of a mezzanine and bungalow as not clear how you could have a usable mezzanine floor in a bungalow if it did not exceed the ground floor as per definition above.

koalakoala

A bungalow in Scotland is only ever one floor

loubel

Which bit of that building are you buying? Has your broker asked why they believe it's a flat? 

PIP83

cr1mson said:

RICS Find a Surveyor - Residential property types definitions (ricsfirms.com)

I am confused re mention of a mezzanine and bungalow as not clear how you could have a usable mezzanine floor in a bungalow if it did not exceed the ground floor as per definition above.

Here's an example then of a similar property from google images.
Whether it's a house or a bungalow that the "mezzanine design" makes it, is irrelevant.  The point is whether or not it is a flat.

pogg000

Leasehold or Freehold?

prowla

IMHO, if you own everything between the sky and the ground then it is a house.

What about the grounds, are there shared areas, and are there maintenance fees for their upkeep?

PIP83

loubel said:

Which bit of that building are you buying? Has your broker asked why they believe it's a flat? 

I was dealing direct with the lender.  All they say is that when they rang the surveyors to book, the surveyors told them it was a flat.    The estate agent is saying that his broker will know a lender that doesn't have a problem with this type of property.   Just bugs me how they can even think it's a flat.