When the British talk about their homes - their 'flats', what is this in American terms?
Is it an apartment (room you rent), or more like a condo or townhome (connected to each other, but you buy/own your section)?
2006-11-24 03:47:30 · 3 answers · asked by jon_r_patrick 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
It could really mean either. However, a flat is generally not like a townhome. Once you get in your front door it is generally on one level, hence the term flat.
Such properties are just as likely to be rented out as owned. However, the concept of co-op properties popular in the USA is only very slowly catching on in England. Many blocks of flats are owned by a "Freeholder" who owns the ground and the exterior of the building. Each leaseholder pays for the lease (which may be for 99 years or more) - this is like buying a house - and then pays a ground-rent to the freeholder. This is usually nominal - mine was 12.50 pounds a year.
2006-11-24 03:53:51 · answer #1 · answered by skip 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
A flat is the same as an apartment. Typically it was a single floor type place, hence a 'flat.'
2006-11-24 03:51:40 · answer #2 · answered by Aggie80 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A flat is an apartment and may have a number of rooms for exclusive use of the person living there. It may be in a block of similar flats or in a converted house. You may rent or buy a flat depending on your circumstances. I hope this helps.
2006-11-24 03:54:03 · answer #3 · answered by paul h 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What Is A Flat
2016-10-01 11:26:07 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a rental home, etc... flat is used in place of apartment, etc...
2006-11-24 03:51:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋