Townhouse vs. Maisonette — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 1, 2024
Townhouses are multi-floor homes sharing one or more walls with adjacent properties, whereas maisonettes are apartments with separate entrances, often resembling small houses.
Difference Between Townhouse and Maisonette
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Townhouses are characterized by their distinct architectural style, featuring multiple floors and sharing common walls with adjacent units in a row. This structure is common in urban and suburban areas, offering the space and layout of a traditional house with the communal aspects of community living. Maisonettes, on the other hand, provide a unique blend of apartment and house living. They are typically part of a larger building but have their own private entrances and sometimes multiple floors, giving the feeling of a house without actually being a standalone structure.
While townhouses often come with some form of communal amenities or areas shared with neighbors, such as gardens, pools, or playgrounds, maisonettes focus on privacy and independence within a larger building. The maisonette's separate entrance sets it apart from standard apartments, offering more privacy and a sense of individuality.
Ownership models can differ significantly between the two. Townhouses are generally owned outright, including the land on which they stand, or they might be part of a homeowners' association (HOA) with shared responsibility for common areas. Maisonettes can be owned or leased, but they typically don't include ownership of the land, similar to condominiums, where the external and common areas are managed by a property association.
In terms of layout and space, townhouses provide a vertical living experience with multiple floors connected by internal staircases. They usually include outdoor space, such as a small yard or patio. Maisonettes, while also potentially spanning multiple floors, may offer less outdoor space but compensate with their design that mimics a single-family home, including features like private entrances and, occasionally, small gardens.
Despite their differences, both townhouses and maisonettes offer attractive alternatives to single-family homes and traditional apartments, catering to those looking for a balance between privacy, space, and community living.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Structure
Multi-floor homes sharing walls with neighbors.
Apartments with separate entrances, often multi-floor.
Community Aspect
Common in areas with communal amenities.
More privacy, with a separate entrance.
Ownership
Often owned outright or part of an HOA.
Can be owned or leased, without land ownership.
Layout
Multiple floors, may have a small yard or patio.
Mimics a house, less outdoor space than townhouses.
Privacy
Shared walls, but private internal space.
High privacy due to separate entrances.
Compare with Definitions
Townhouse
Part of a planned community.
The townhouse comes with access to a shared pool and garden.
Maisonette
Often part of a larger building but separated.
Their maisonette is on the building's top floor, with its own rooftop garden.
Townhouse
A multi-floor home sharing walls with adjacent units.
They moved into a townhouse in the city's heart, enjoying both community and privacy.
Maisonette
Provides independence within an apartment complex.
Owning a maisonette meant they didn’t have to deal with common hallways.
Townhouse
May include homeowner association fees.
The monthly HOA fees cover landscaping and external maintenance.
Maisonette
An apartment with its own entrance, resembling a small house.
The maisonette offered them the privacy they desired, with the convenience of apartment living.
Townhouse
Offers vertical living space.
Their townhouse features three floors, including a rooftop terrace.
Maisonette
May come with a leasehold or ownership, minus the land.
They bought the maisonette, which came with a long leasehold rather than freehold ownership.
Townhouse
Provides a balance between a house and an apartment.
A townhouse was the perfect choice for them, offering more space without the upkeep of a standalone house.
Maisonette
Can span multiple floors.
The two-story maisonette feels more like a house than an apartment.
Townhouse
A townhouse, townhome, town house, or town home, is a type of terraced housing. A modern townhouse is often one with a small footprint on multiple floors.
Maisonette
A set of rooms for living in, typically on two storeys of a larger building and having a separate entrance.
Townhouse
A row house, especially one designed as a single-family residence.
Maisonette
A small house.
Townhouse
A residence in a city, especially in contrast to a residence in the country.
Maisonette
An apartment occupying two or more floors of a larger building and often having its own entrance from outside.
Townhouse
A row house or terraced house.
Maisonette
A small house
Townhouse
A house in an urban setting.
Maisonette
An apartment often on two floors
Townhouse
(dated) A town hall.
Maisonette
A self-contained apartment (usually on two floors) in a larger house and with its own entrance from the outside
Townhouse
A building devoted to the public used of a town; a townhall.
Maisonette
A small house
Common Curiosities
Can a maisonette have multiple floors?
Yes, maisonettes often span multiple floors, providing a living experience similar to a house.
What are the benefits of living in a maisonette?
Maisonettes offer the privacy and independence of a house, with the convenience and security of apartment living, including private entrances.
Is a townhouse a good investment?
Townhouses can be a good investment, especially in areas with high demand for residential properties, offering a balance of personal space and community living.
Do townhouses come with their own land?
Townhouses can come with a small piece of land or yard, and ownership can include the land, depending on the specific arrangement and location.
Can you rent a townhouse?
Yes, townhouses can be rented or owned, depending on the property and the owner’s preference.
How does ownership work for maisonettes?
Ownership of a maisonette usually involves owning the interior space outright, similar to a condominium, with the land and exterior managed by a property association.
Do maisonettes always have a private entrance?
Yes, one of the defining features of a maisonette is its private entrance, setting it apart from standard apartment layouts.
What distinguishes a townhouse from a maisonette?
A townhouse shares walls with adjacent units and may span multiple floors, often part of a community with shared amenities. A maisonette is an apartment with its own entrance, offering more privacy and often resembling a house.
Are maisonettes more expensive than apartments?
Maisonettes can be more expensive than standard apartments due to their unique features, such as separate entrances and the feeling of living in a house.
What are the communal amenities for townhouses?
Communal amenities can include pools, playgrounds, gardens, and parking areas, depending on the community.
What kind of outdoor space might a maisonette have?
Some maisonettes come with balconies, small gardens, or rooftop terraces, though this can vary widely.
Why choose a maisonette over a traditional apartment?
Those looking for the independence and features of a house with the benefits of apartment living might prefer a maisonette.
What is the appeal of a townhouse?
The appeal includes community living with access to shared amenities, the space of a traditional house, and sometimes, lower maintenance responsibilities.
How do maintenance responsibilities differ between townhouses and maisonettes?
Maintenance for townhouses might be covered by an HOA, dealing with external and communal areas, whereas maisonette maintenance responsibilities can vary, often with less responsibility for external areas due to property association management.
How is the privacy in a townhouse compared to a maisonette?
Maisonettes typically offer more privacy due to separate entrances and fewer shared walls, whereas townhouses share walls with neighbors but still provide private internal space.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Carefree vs. Freedom
Next Comparison
Passion vs. DedicationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
