townhome versus condo

Started by DianaE • 5 replies • 1487 views

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DianaE (Colorado)
Posts: 40

Posted:

In our HOA there are 34 townhomes. Fourteen of them were built first and have always been run and rented out as apartments, under one owner. The next group of townhomes was built approx 2 yrs later, a slightly different style, separate from the first group. These 17 units were sold individually to different owners, of which only one is owner occupied. The PM says there are absolutley no differences between the two groups, however, the first owner says the 17 units are condos, and his rentals are not, because condos share walls between different owners, and an apartment building with only one owner is just that- an apartment building. Of course, all outside common areas are shared. Is he correct, or is tha PM correct?

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Diana,

I would need more information.

As I understand it, what defines a condominium is when the owner doesn't own the land the building is on.

A town home might be considered a condominium or it might be considered a single family home
.

I live in a town home development that is not a condominium. Each unit does share at least one wall with a neighboring unit but the home was constructed in varying heights that the wall is the only shared component. Each owner owns the home and land as fee simple.

Personally, it sounds like both might be right but using different terms to describe the property. There might also be zoning or other differences to them. One of the best explanations I read is that you rent an apartment and a condominium is an apartment you own.

Hope this helps,

Tim

PetunkaM (Florida)
Posts: 1,009

Posted:

Diana,

Neither explanation is correct. You have to check the covenants to determine type of ownership.

AngelaF (Illinois)
Posts: 8

Posted:

As a property manager of 15 years, my understanding is the legal definition for the association's units are determined/identified in the declaration and bylaws. But the rule of thumb is: A townhome is one where the owner enters from the outdoors directly into their home. A condo is one where there is a common entrance of two or more units, even if only a small vestibule.

EdC5 (Florida)
Posts: 117

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AngelaF on 10/03/2011 8:33 PM
As a property manager of 15 years, my understanding is the legal definition for the association's units are determined/identified in the declaration and bylaws. But the rule of thumb is: A townhome is one where the owner enters from the outdoors directly into their home. A condo is one where there is a common entrance of two or more units, even if only a small vestibule.

Your thumb has a blister. =P

My condo is, in fact, a detached, single family home, but due to the declarations it's a condo which saves me repair costs on the exterior walls, roof, and landscaping.

Edward J Cooke, CMCA, LCAM

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DianaE on 09/07/2011 5:13 PM
In our HOA there are 34 townhomes. Fourteen of them were built first and have always been run and rented out as apartments, under one owner. The next group of townhomes was built approx 2 yrs later, a slightly different style, separate from the first group. These 17 units were sold individually to different owners, of which only one is owner occupied. The PM says there are absolutley no differences between the two groups, however, the first owner says the 17 units are condos, and his rentals are not, because condos share walls between different owners, and an apartment building with only one owner is just that- an apartment building. Of course, all outside common areas are shared. Is he correct, or is tha PM correct?

My definition, unless the Covenants state otherwise, is in a condo the owner owns only the air space. With townhomes the owner usually owns the the unit plus the ground below (up to xx feet) and the air above (up to xx feet). Townhomes can have a common wall. If there are 34 townhomes then the units are all townhomes as inferred by the PM.

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