Condominium complex: How is it different from apartments?

Even though this term is not commonly used in India, one will often hear the term ‘condominium’ during the mention of housing options, especially in the west. More commonly referred to as condos, condominiums are a popular housing option in the developed western markets.

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What is a condominium?

A large property, divided into single units for the purpose of sale, is a condominium. So how is it different from a regular property? Much of the difference springs up due to the kind of ownership. For example, in the case of an apartment, a single family purchases not just the unit but they also have a right of ownership on the land on which the structure is built. In the case of a condo, the ownership is slightly different. A condominium is inside a residential building or community but the unit is privately managed by the individual or landlord of the property. This landlord has no say in the functioning of the larger building or even the plot of land in which his/her property is built upon. A home owners’ association may, however, come together to help out with the property management. They may also be referred to as the condominium management, consisting of a group of owners that come together to oversee lawn maintenance, etc. For services such as these, condo owners will have to pay a certain amount.

See also: What are penthouses?

Condominium: Special considerations

Different condominium developers may differ in the way they provide garages and parking spaces to unit owners. In certain developments, garages and parking spaces are considered limited common areas and their ownership is maintained by the condo association. In these cases, the condo owner is given exclusive rights to use these spaces. On the other hand, some developments allow condominium owners to buy the parking space or garage, giving them sole ownership. However, even in such cases, the conditions, restrictions, and covenants can still limit the owner’s ability to rent or sell the space independent of the condo.

Difference between condo, house, townhouse and apartment

If you are conflicted about the kind of property you should go for. Here are some basic differences between a condo, house, townhouse, and an apartment.

Parameters	Condo	House	Townhouse	Apartment
Cost	Down payment + monthly mortgage payment + HOA fees	Down payment + monthly mortgage payment + maintenance	Down payment + monthly mortgage payment + HOA fees	Security deposit + monthly rent
Ownership	Unit	House and the property it sits on	Unit and the property it sits on	No ownership
Best for	First-time homebuyers or downsizers	Couples and families	Those looking for more space than a condo, but don’t want the responsibilities of a house	Those who are saving for a down payment or want flexibility to relocate

Difference between condominiums and apartments

Many people are confused when it comes to differentiating between a condo and an apartment. Here are some of the key differences you should know about.

Condominium	Apartment
The individual condo owner is the landlord. The condo managed individually or with the help of a property management company.	It is managed and services are provided by the corporation.
A condominium in India should have a minimum of five housing units.	An apartment building is one which has the ability to house a minimum of 10 families.
More personal touch seen and better amenities are present.	All units have the same basic amenities.
Extra charges will apply towards the property management company’s service providers.	Property management services are usually not required.
Most maintenance and upkeep and maintenance charges depend on you.	A housing society, through an RWA, will provide the services for you at nominal rates.

Why should a condo owner pay the property manager?

As already mentioned, a condo owner will be required to pay for the services rendered by a property management company. Such services include repairs, landscaping, maintenance and operation of gyms and swimming pools, etc.

Are condominiums common in India?

Condominiums are quite common in the United States. In India, although the concept of condominium ownership is more than 50 years old, they are less popular as compared to the cooperative housing society model, which is common in Maharashtra. Rules pertaining to cooperative societies in Maharashtra are governed by the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act of 1960. In 1970, an alternative to such a housing society was introduced by the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act, 1970, which provided for the formation of condominiums. These buyers are also called apartment owners who come together and form an association.

See also: All about duplex houses

Requirements for a condominium

The statement of rules, limitations, restrictions is a statutory document that underlines the rules that need to be followed by the owner of a condominium. This document defines the appropriate use of a condominium, explaining how the owner can and cannot use both general and limited communal places. It highlights the criteria for appointing the homeowners’ association board, which is responsible for overseeing the development.

Unit owners pay a fee to the condominium association for covering the expenses for sharing utilities, protecting the structure, and future maintenance of the building. This fee may also include the payment made to a management business for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the development. Condo fees can also increase depending on the need. For instance, if your condominium needs extensive repair, you might be required to cover any extra expenditures not covered by reserve funds.

Advantages of condominiums

The following are the advantages of condominiums:

Flexible lifestyle: Condominiums are perfect for individuals who prefer to live a flexible life without restrictions. Remember, you are the owner of the unit and there are no restrictions on your lifestyle in a condominium.
More affordable: Condominiums are also beneficial for individuals who want to lower the cost of owning a house. Condominiums are cheaper than independent houses and make a great purchase for first-time home owners.
Good connectivity with business centres and several modes of entertainment: One of the most unique features of condominiums is that they are located close to business centres and popular hubs of a locality. Thus, the owners benefit from great connectivity and have access to the several forms of entertainment prevalent in the locality.
Wide range of amenities: Most condominiums have a wide range of amenities that include a swimming pool, rooftops, and fitness centres. Thus, the residents need not move out of their complex in search of these amenities.
Great security: Condominiums have great security and prevent the chances of theft or intruders barging into the property. Most condos have several security technologies to maintain the safety of the residents.

See also: What is a farm house ?

Disadvantages of condominiums

The following are the disadvantages of condominiums:

Lack of extra space: In condos, you do not get extra space like a backyard or a garden that you solely own. This is a disadvantage especially for families with children or pets who need to play in the backyard.
Limited parking area: Condominiums have limited parking areas. This can be an issue if you have guests invited as their parking might be chargeable.
Restrictions on pets: Most condos have restrictions on keeping pets. Even though certain condos allow pets within the premises, there might be restrictions on the number of pets you own and their breed.

Maintenance of condominiums

Most individuals prefer condominiums, because of their low maintenance costs. The residents need to pay a specific sum annually or monthly for the overall maintenance of their condos. Thus, the residents need not fix any maintenance issue by themselves. They just need to inform the authorities in order to repair the problems. Some condos also have regular inspection facilities where repairs are immediately done if any issue is detected.

Condominium insurance

Condominium owners need to pay a lesser premium as compared to owners of individual houses, while they get their condos insured. This is because they only need to get their belonging within their house insured. The rest of the condo’s insurance is taken care of by the real owner of the property. Thus, getting home owners’ insurance for a condominium is cheaper and affordable.

Condominiums in India and mode of ownership, operation

Apartments in India	Condominiums in India
At least 10 different families must have bought premises within a building, to term it as an apartment building.	An individual can form a condominium, as long as there are five units.
Title of land is transferred to the society. The society is the owner and the home buyers are members of this society.	The individual condo buyer is the owner of the property.
The society issues shares of the society to home buyers. Upon the member’s death, the society can nominate who can take over.	No concept of society shares.
There is a cap on transfer fee.	There may be no cap on transfer fee and it is more flexible too.
Bylaws are strictly followed and changes to them can rarely be made.	While bylaws are followed, the rules can be changed, as long as they do not violate the laws.
Every society member is entitled to one vote.	Number of votes is proportionate to the premises.
The society can expel a member in worst-case scenarios.	No provision of tackling a worst-case scenario with expulsion, as there are no formal rules.
In case of a dispute, based on its seriousness, the cases are heard by either the cooperative court or the registrar under the Act.	In case of dispute, the court under whose jurisdiction the condominium is located, will hear the case.

Also read: Flat vs House: Which is better?

Rules to let out a condominium in India

While apartment owners in a society need to obtain the consent of the managing committee to rent out the house, the owner of a condominium can give the house on lease or leave and license, without the approval from the board of managers. They are elected by the members of the apartment owners association. The board is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the condominium.

Factors to consider when buying a condominium

Location and proximity to transportation and social infrastructural facilities is a crucial factor when buying a house.
Besides key factors like budget and location, consider your lifestyle and decide on the kind of amenities you need for a comfortable living.
Find out about the regulations, homeowners’ association fees and the charges to be paid for various maintenance services.

How to choose between condominiums and apartments?

If you choose to rent a condominium, you’ll have to be directly connected with the condo’s owner, who’ll be your landlord. You’ll have to keep your relationship very friendly as you’ll need the owner for everything, from paying rent and requesting maintenance to reporting any concerns. You’ll have to be a good tenant if you want to get the lease renewed.

If you choose to rent an apartment, you might have to deal with different people like the assistant property manager, the property manager, or other leasing agents. These people will help you process rent, assign maintenance, make community announcements, send reminders, and ensure proper property management. They will also help with additional facilities like picking up trash. A rental apartment comes with many such perks.

When it comes to choosing between renting an apartment or renting a condominium, the decision depends on your preferences. Try gaining a deeper understanding of what both options constitute to make an informed choice that best suits your needs.

Related terms: What is a landominium?

We told you that in the case of a condominium, the owner owns the unit and not the land. If the owner owns the land as well, it becomes a landominium unit.

Related terms: What is a condotel?

In case the condominium owner is allowed to rent out the unit like a proper hotel, such a hybrid property may be known as a condotel.

FAQ

Are condominiums the same as apartments?

To an extent, yes, condos are much like apartments but differ in terms of the ownership.

What are the other names of condominiums?

Condominiums may also be called condo, condos or even commonhold. Depending on the ownership and use, condos could also be called landominiums and condotels.

Is a condominium expensive?

Condominiums are generally more expensive than apartment units.

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Dhwani Meharchandani

Dhwani is a content management expert with over five years of professional experience. She has authored articles spanning diverse domains, including real estate, finance, business, health, taxation, education and more. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Dhwani’s interests encompass reading and travelling. She is dedicated to staying updated on the latest real estate advancements in India.
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