What is the difference between an apartment and an apartment

20.08.2021

What is the difference between an apartment and an apartment

Often, apartments with a large area, located in apartment buildings, are offered as apartments. In fact, an apartment and an apartment are two different concepts. Let's try to understand the features, differences, pros and cons of such real estate.

What are flats and apartments

To begin with, in order to understand how apartments differ from apartments, you need to figure out what each type of real estate is.

  • Apartments are non-residential objects, that is, related to commercial real estate. Not surprisingly, many are converting office buildings into residential ones. All conditions for living are created here - design planning, renovation, VIP-level furnishings are organized. The ultimate goal is not only making a profit, but also creating optimal living conditions.
  • Apartment - located in an apartment building, the object is intended for living. The same type of layout is the main difference between an apartment and an apartment. It provides for the presence of a kitchen, bathroom, hallway, bedrooms and other rooms. The apartment always refers to the housing stock, but it happens that the apartments are used for commercial purposes. By the way, if you decide buy a house in Kyiv, we recommend contacting the best luxury real estate agency THE Capital.

How an apartment differs from an apartment: highlights

Explaining how apartments differ from apartments, experienced realtors argue that both options are in fact considered housing, they may not differ externally, but have differences in functionality, taxation, infrastructure and other parameters. We will describe the difference between an apartment and an apartment below.

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Apartment and apartments: difference in the type of real estate

The most significant difference is the status of these objects. Apartments are classified as commercial assets, while apartments are considered residential. Many other differences emerge based on these features.

Building codes

The construction of residential buildings is invariably associated with the observance of a number of norms that every developer must comply with. For example, these include:

  • permissible building density;
  • the required level of sound insulation;
  • organization of the local area; 
  • availability of parking spaces, etc.

Considering the building codes in more detail, we can conclude that the difference between an apartment and an apartment lies in the absence of strict requirements for the construction of the former. If problems with parking and noise insulation are somehow solved, then when choosing an apartment, you need to pay special attention to the availability of sufficient sunlight. As a rule, when non-residential premises are adjacent to apartments, are located in the same complex, the level of insolation is sufficient.

Register

According to the current legislation, it is impossible to register in the apartment, as this is a non-residential premises. Those who understand how an apartment differs from an apartment is often repulsed by this fact. The lack of registration brings negative adjustments to our life. For example, there may be problems with public services in medicine, enrollment of a child in school. However, there are examples when some people apply for a temporary residence permit for up to 5 years, and the problem with service is solved with the help of money, since private educational and medical institutions currently provide services only on a paid basis. However, if you are planning to purchase an apartment, you can apply for a privatization. For more information about the difference between apartments and apartments on this point, you can ask the lawyers of our agency.

Read more:Where is it better to buy an apartment: in a new building or on the secondary market?

Payment for housing and communal services and taxation

If you study what apartments and apartments are like, the difference in housing and communal services will immediately be noticed as the most striking distinguishing factor. The fact is that for the segment of commercial real estate, prices for housing and communal services are noticeably higher compared to housing stock. As a result, the maintenance of the commercial space costs the owners 15% more expensive on average, and sometimes even more. In addition, owners of non-residential real estate cannot qualify for subsidies and any benefits. Those who understand what an apartment is and how they differ from an apartment will probably be of little interest, but still this is a significant difference from residential buildings. 

An important point is the difference in the procedure for collecting debts for utilities. If this fact takes place in an apartment, the court has the right to seize residential real estate, but has no right to evict. While in a similar situation with commercial housing, the court evicts the owner and puts the object up for auction.

When studying the difference between an apartment and an apartment, keep in mind that the tax on owning non-residential real estate is higher than the same tax for a residential apartment. It is 1% of the minimum wage for 1 square meter.

Investment protection

If you plan to invest funds and choose apartments, their difference from apartments will be significant. If you invest in a residential building under construction, the investor is more protected from long-term construction or bankruptcy of the developer, in contrast to the investor who chooses square meters of non-residential type. 

The difference between apartments and apartments - price

The difference between an apartment and an apartment is significant, but despite this, the latter have remained popular for a long time due to their more affordable prices, since they are about 15-20% cheaper. The favorable cost is associated with the fact that the construction of apartments does not require compliance with strict standards for noise insulation, insolation, infrastructure and other parameters. The final price will depend on the location and the builder.

Infrastructure

If you thought about what is more profitable and more convenient, an apartment or an apartment, the difference can be clearly seen in the features of the infrastructure. During the design and construction of residential real estate, it is planned to organize the local area and trade and social infrastructure. While the presence of a school, clinic or shop within walking distance for commercial real estate is not a requirement. As a result, residential apartments in inconvenient areas can often be offered. However, practice shows that it is possible to find a convenient option. Developers are increasingly trying to satisfy all the needs of buyers and offer apartments in a park area, near the embankments of Kiev, in premium-class residential complexes, in fact, smoothing out the difference between apartments and apartments.

Additional services for residents

If your choice is an apartment, the difference from an apartment will largely depend on the location of the property. When the apartments are located in a hotel or an elite residential complex, the owner is invited to conclude an agreement with a service company. She will offer a full range of services: from round-the-clock concierge to daily cleaning of the premises.

Apartments for housing: advantages and disadvantages

To summarize - what does an apartment-apartment mean on the positive side? This can be advantageous value, convenient location, and full service. In addition, such housing offers broad investment prospects. On the other hand, you can live in an apartment or rent it out, you can temporarily live in an apartment or rent out a room at a higher price, since it is non-residential. 

When choosing an apartment, the buyer needs to understand that there are also negative differences from an apartment in Ukraine:

  • inability to register;
  • high rates for housing and communal services;
  • high taxation;
  • there are no guarantees against risks when investing;
  • less stringent requirements for the quality of the object, since it is residential.

Apartments: pros and cons

Thinking about what is the difference between an apartment and an apartment, you need to consider all aspects of living spaces that meet all the requirements. The pros are as follows:

  • the possibility of registration;
  • lower utility rates;
  • usually the location of houses falls on areas with developed infrastructure.

The disadvantages of apartments include the higher cost of 1 square meter and limited layouts.

Apartment or flat: what to choose

Having understood in more detail and preferring apartments, their difference from an apartment will be more than clear to you. First of all, this is a convenient option for investing, which will pay for itself in the shortest possible time when renting or organizing a hotel business. The difference between an apartment and an apartment lies in the fact that this is a good way to invest and live with registration. The apartment will cost more, but its maintenance will be cheaper. Therefore, our experts recommend weighing the pros and cons, taking into account personal circumstances and prospects, and then making a choice. Subscribe to our updates real estate portal and get the latest publications from the real estate agency THE Capital.