If you’re looking for a property for rent, you’ll probably come across the terms “flat” and “apartment”. But when you look at it, the options look fairly similar. So, you might be wondering, what is a flat house and what is an apartment and how they differ from each other? In simple terms, a flat house is a single-family home transformed to fit smaller, independent living units. On the other hand, apartment buildings are purposefully built and designed as multifamily residential properties. Continue reading to learn more!
Key Takeaways
- A flat house refers to a single-family residential property divided and transformed to feature a small number of independent housing units.
- Apartment complexes are generally modern, purpose-built residential designed for medium to large-scale multifamily living.
Flat vs Apartment: Are They the Same Thing?
In our experience in San Antonio property services, we’ve come across tenants who mistake flats to be the same thing as an apartment unit. While this may be the case when we’re talking about American English and British English terminologies, that’s not exactly how it works in the local housing market. So, what is a flat house exactly?
In the rental property industry in the US, the term “flat” refers to a self-contained housing unit located within a larger building. It’s called that way to account for the common scenario that flat units are typically located on a single floor of a multi-story building. This is unlike apartment buildings, where rental units span across several levels of the property. So, a flat and an apartment are not the same.
What is a Flat House?
Now, you might still be wondering what is a flat house in real estate. Particularly, what the term means when you’re looking for a property for rent. In the rental property market, a flat house is a specific type of rental where a single-family property is divided into multiple individual, independent housing units (typically 2 to 4 maximum).
But how does this work? Let’s say that there’s a single-family house sitting on a large lot in the suburbs of San Antonio. To maximize the rental capacity of the lot without having to build a multi-story, the landlord transforms the single-family residential property (SFR) into a flat house by creating several, smaller, separate living spaces. Each unit comes with its own kitchen, bathroom, living area, and private entrance.
Flat House vs Apartment Building: Structural Differences
Considering our definition of what is a flat house so far, it might still be confusing how it differs from a typical apartment rental. To better explain how these two housing options differ, let’s take a look at the structural differences between a flat house and an apartment.
First, flat houses are typically single-family homes that are converted into multi-family rental properties. Because of this, it’s fairly common for flat units to look different from one another – from size to room shape and ceiling height.
On the flip side, apartment buildings are specifically built for multi-family housing. This means that the building and each unit are purposely designed to accommodate numerous tenants, with several floor levels, uniform rental unit floor plans, and the like.
But aside from these, flat houses and apartment complexes also differ in terms of shared spaces. For one, flat houses don’t typically include shared communal spaces despite being multi-family residential. At the very least, you’ll share a yard, laundry area, and a driveway, but that’s about it.
On the other hand, apartment buildings are more intentional when it comes to shared common spaces. In order to boost the sense of community, apartment complexes come with several shared spaces and amenities, such as elevators, pools, gyms, hallways, and more.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Flat
Let’s face it, knowing what is a flat house and an apartment (and what makes them different from each other) is not enough to help you decide which one fits you best. So, to give you a better context of what a flat and an apartment are like, here’s a review of the advantages and disadvantages of living in one, starting with flats.
First and foremost, one of the primary benefits of living in a flat is that they tend to be one of the most affordable housing options. This is mostly because flats houses are commonly older buildings rehabilitated to fit two or three more independent living units. These are also less equipped when it comes to modern features and amenities. Basically, you’re only getting the fundamentals (living space, kitchen, bathroom), which is more practical for some people.
Then, there’s the aspect of shared space and community. Compared to large apartment buildings and complexes, flats are significantly more private since you’re only sharing space with just a handful of units instead of hundreds. This means that there are fewer shared walls, less foot traffic, and simply fewer neighbors. This provides you with a quieter environment to relax and enjoy some peace.
But what about the cons?
Given that flat houses are only converted single-family residences, one of the drawbacks of renting a flat is that they have limited amenities. Typically, you don’t get an in-house gym, on-site laundry, or a community pool, features that you can find in apartment communities.
Then, there’s the matter of property maintenance. Unlike apartments with property managers who handle tenant repair and maintenance requests, flats tend to be more independent and individualistic. Considering that you’re most likely dealing with a small or private landlord, it’s highly likely that you won’t get the same prompt and efficient service when dealing with property repairs.
In relation to this, you can also expect some drawbacks related to living in a relatively old building. From limited soundproofing, tight spaces, and inefficient HVAC systems, these can have a negative impact on your overall living experience.
Pros and Cons of Renting an Apartment
When we talk about the pros and cons of living in an apartment, one of the first things that comes to mind is the accessibility and convenience it offers. In most modern apartment complexes, you’ll find an array of shared amenities for tenants – pools, fitness centers, laundry service, community gardens, children’s playgrounds, on-site storage units, and more. You also get to enjoy better maintenance support, especially with the help of professional property management companies.
The kicker is that these come at a relatively higher cost. For example, in San Antonio, the average rent prices for apartments range from $889 to $2,2224 per month, depending on factors such as size, layout, and location. At the same time, apartment buildings deal with more privacy and noise issues, which can be a huge drawback.
Find the Perfect Home with Bay Property Management
In today’s highly competitive housing market, trying to find the perfect home can be a bit of a challenge. Especially if you’re given choices like a flat vs an apartment. At this point, knowing what is a flat house and what is an apartment is not enough. You need to dig deeper and determine what exactly the pros and cons of living in one are.
Still unsure of what type of rental property is the best fit for you? Partner with a company property management, like us at BMG, to gain access to a vast portfolio of properties for rent in San Antonio and other nearby areas. Whether you’re looking for a flat, apartment, or even a single-family residential, we’ve got you! Come visit our website and take a look at our latest property listings waiting just for you.