Comparison between Apartment Unit and Town House

Hi guys,

What is the difference between a town house and an apartment unit in terms of the Strata - do factors such as sinking fund, the strata quality etc. apply to town house also as they apply to Units ? If so, how similar are they in terms of fees and maintenance etc.

 

Useful answers come from good questions. Good questions come from knowledge and experience.

If you understand what body corp is, you would know that it depends on the amount and type of common property. Townhouse v unit are too generic to mean anything.

 

For NSW (but adapable colloquially).

Townhouses

• Strata titled
• Two storey (generally)
• Parking (may be external or subterranean), close-by or within the T/H foot print (3 storey)
• Has private space (eg fully fenced courtyard) on title
• Common areas generally restricted to driveways, parking area, gardens etc

Villas

• As per Townhouse but single storey
• Parking on grade or attached carspace/garage/carport

Unit

• Strata titled
• Multi-storey
• Parking (may be external or subterranean), close-by. Can be exclusive usage or separately titled
  
• Courtyards may be on title or under exclusive use by-law
• All areas outside of the 4 walls of the unit/parking spaces are generally common property

 

Thank you Scott and Rolf:

I am looking more from the point of difference between the Strata of a Townhouse and the Strata of Unit rather than Unit and Townhouse itself.

The reason I am asking is because I want to understand if the possible issues in Strata for Units such as building issues, high strata fees and Sinking funds etc. could also impact Strata of Townhouses - or are Town houses more independent compared to Units from these aspects and also in terms being able to renovate them without having to seek permission from strata members also.

 

Units above/below others vs townhouses side by side.

A water issue in one unit will most likely affect the ones below (so your own contents insurance is required as strata's insurance will not cover your fixtures or fittings). If the bath leaks in the unit above, strata will fix the leak but not make good to your unit if it is damaged.

A water issue in a townhouse is your issue as you are reasonably self-contained (so your own contents insurance is required as strata's insurance will not cover your fixtures or fittings). If the bath leaks in the upstairs bathroom of your townhouse, you will fix the leak and make good to your unit if it is damaged.

 

So, I guess that would mean that compared to Units, the Strata is less of a concern and the funds for any required building repairs (outside of one's house) are also lower priority when looking for property in Townhouse strata is that correct ?

Also, how do Townhouses compare to Independent houses in terms of growth ? (Like Units do not have much growth, where as houses do. so where do townhouses go on this aspect?)

 

Strata is a type of title. Strata titled units, villas, townhouses will have the same requirements for managing / running the property.