Townhouse – architectural style from the UK

Townhouse – architectural style from the UK
Picture: Roman Makedonsky | Dreamstime
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Everyone wants to buy or build their own home. But the construction or purchase of individual cottages is not affordable for everyone. In this case, you should pay attention to new types of housing, which are called townhouses.

This type of building is characterized by the presence of two, three or four apartments combined into one house. So you can significantly save on housing and get a full-fledged home in your property. These houses are becoming more and more popular in Russia, and every year the number of such buildings is growing exponentially.

Historical background

Townhouses came to Russia from England. The British aristocracy actively acquired and built houses in cities, capitals and the countryside. In order to shine at social events in the capital and at the same time not live in a hotel or with relatives, aristocrats acquired real estate in the capital. Townhouses were able to accommodate all households and a small staff of servants for the entire period of stay. Such houses were usually used in winter during balls and secular receptions.

Townhouse
Picture: Roman Makedonsky | Dreamstime

Cost savings and the lack of free metropolitan land forced the aristocrats to unite under one roof, and this was the beginning of the construction of townhouses. Houses were built in the capital and received several families at once for the winter period.

The houses were built on the principle of integrated housing and had several individual exits equal to the number of families. So the British could, without changing their habits, freely live in the capital for the right amount of time.

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In European countries, townhouses are the most popular property. More than 20% of the total population lives in such complexes. In Russia, houses of this type began to be built in the 90s, but townhouses have firmly taken their positions and continue to spread throughout the country.

With the growing popularity of houses of this type, developers and investors instantly caught the benefits of building townhouses and began to actively develop this area. The number of objects is constantly growing and is one of the most prestigious and expensive types of housing.

What is a Townhouse

Townhouse – literal translation is a mansion, a house in the city. On closer examination, it becomes clear that a mansion or city house has much in common with a townhouse, but still it is a completely different type of building.

Most often in a townhouse there are from two or more apartments with several floors. Sometimes such buildings are called duplex. All apartments have an individual entrance. Heating, power supply and other supply systems most often work autonomously and do not depend on neighboring apartments.

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Such houses are accompanied by small garden, garden or just land plots from 2 to 4 acres. By and large, a townhouse is a separate house, consisting of several apartments, united by some load-bearing walls and one roof.

The layout of the townhouse consists of zones. Usually the first floor is occupied by the kitchen and utility rooms. The second and third floors are reserved for bedrooms and offices. Sometimes garages are attached to townhouses.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage in the construction and purchase of a townhouse is the savings in construction costs. All common walls, roof, security and landscaping systems are divided by the number of apartments being built.

Townhouse
Picture: Steveheap | Dreamstime

Of the minuses, one can single out such moments as the limitation of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe land plot and the presence of neighbors.

What to consider when buying or building a townhouse

In principle, general recommendations do not differ from advice when buying any living space. It is advisable to determine in advance the price category of the objects provided on the real estate market.

It is important to familiarize yourself with all available information about the company that is engaged in development. When buying and completing documentation, it is advisable to seek the help of a lawyer, because in Russia the legal norms and rules for townhouses have not yet been fixed.

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Buying or building a townhouse does not automatically guarantee the acquisition of the land on which the house is built. Most often, construction sites are rented, so it will not be easy to build additional buildings on the land. For construction on a plot that is leased, special permits and approvals from the owners may be required.