If you live in the UK, then you must know what is a maisonette in UK. A maisonette comprises a self-contained living area within another building that has a separate entrance and staircase if its double storey. Mostly, a maisonette will be spread over more than one floor. The maisonette may be a conversion of a larger property or could have been built that way; this is often the case with older maisonettes.
Things are a little different when it comes to different parts of the UK as there, maisonettes are referred to as several flats, sitting on top of each other.
What Is It Like Living In A Maisonette?
Now that you understand what a maisonette is, you may be concerned about living in one, feeling that privacy may be restricted. However, this is not the case as you will have a separate front door and won’t have to share it with anyone else. Unlike a flat where you often share a corridor or staircase, with a maisonette your front door exits to the street. Some people refer to them as a duplex but this is incorrect as this is an American term. Many maisonettes in the UK are located over shops or can even be standard houses that have been converted into two entirely separate dwellings.
Maisonettes vs. Houses
Size-wise, maisonettes can be as big as a normal house and with several floors. However, because they are adjoined, you pay less than if you were purchasing a house of any description.
There should be an outdoor area that belongs solely to the residence and sometimes a private garage or parking area is included. It’s easy to see why maisonettes are good value, particularly for young people or families trying to get onto the property ladder.
Maisonettes vs. Flats
Maisonettes are often confused with flats, but they do come with advantages. As an example, if you compare a maisonette and a flat of similar size, the maisonette would be as much as 25% cheaper.
As well as saving money, you should also find that you have a lot more privacy when compared to a flat. In flats, you are often plagued by noises from neighbors filtering through the walls whereas, with a maisonette, life is more private, particularly if you have several floors to spread across.
Things to consider
Maisonettes do carry a cheaper price tag because they have some downsides. Let’s look at them, as these need to be considered if you are thinking about purchasing a maisonette home:
Limited size
Maisonettes can be sizable but will not provide the same spaciousness as a house. Whether this is a problem or not will depend upon the size of your family group; single people, couples, or those with just one child might find a maisonette perfectly suited to their needs space-wise.
Often used as starter homes, as your family begins to grow, a move to somewhere larger may be required. Overall, whether the size of the maisonette suits you or not is down to budget and personal preference.
Development Rights
If you are purchasing a maisonette intending to carry out building work to improve it, remember that it will not benefit from permitted development. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to extend or improve it, but planning permission will be necessary. You would need to work with an architectural technician to create planning drawings, reflecting the type of design that would be easily accepted by the local authority.
If you think you will expand in the future, this is worth noting. Where maisonettes have two floors, loft space is often an added extra and this can be a huge benefit if you know that your family group will grow.
By working with an architectural technician who has good knowledge of what the local planning department is likely to accept, there is no reason why you should not extend into the loft as the number of people living in the maisonette increases.
Even unconverted lofts bring with them lots of storage space so this alone may clinch your deal to purchase a maisonette. With houses, permitted development rights normally apply so this provides a big advantage.
Renovations
When carrying out exterior renovations or maintenance works to maisonettes, you may need to involve the neighbors. This is because very often the exterior walls are shared. You will be responsible for the cost of renovating your section but do take account of the fact that the work may spill over into space not belonging to you.
Where you have a good relationship with neighbors, this is not usually a problem. Much will depend upon the extent of work being carried out and the cost.
Noise level
Depending upon the design and layout of your maisonette, noise may or may not be a problem. Because of the way maisonettes are constructed, the noise levels should not be as high as when living in a flat.
As with most neighbors, much will depend upon the lifestyle and leisure activities of the people living in the maisonettes. Young children can be as noisy as someone playing loud music. If your maisonette is above a shop, think about how you will deal with the hustle and bustle as well as the noise or smells if it is a food-related establishment. Takeaways and restaurants are often open late into the night, so the noise caused by customers may create an issue.
Before completing your maisonette purchase, carry out research. Visit the area at different times of the day and see what the environment is like. For some people, noise may not be an issue, so much depends upon the makeup of your family. Most modern maisonettes have high levels of insulation, which will automatically reduce the amount of noise that carries over.
Parking Limitations
If the door of your maisonette leads straight out onto the street and you are in a city or town center, parking may be problematic. Look around and see what other residents without garages or parking spaces do. Is there on-street parking nearby or even a car park? If you don’t own a car, look out for the close availability of bus stops.
What is a Maisonette vs House
When comparing a maisonette and a house, both offer distinct advantages but also have key differences. Both feature staircases and entrances, offering a level of privacy compared to flats or apartments, though a house is typically more private due to its greater space from neighbors.
A maisonette is often located above another property, while a house is situated on the ground level. If you wonder, does a maisonette have a garden? So, while both can have gardens, a maisonette usually shares a garden, whereas a house typically has its own. When it comes to ownership, both can be leasehold or freehold, but maisonettes are more likely to be leasehold and may require payment of service charges or ground rent, unlike houses, which generally do not.
Maisonettes tend to be more affordable and come with shared upkeep expenses, making them budget-friendly in comparison to houses, which have individual responsibilities for maintenance.
However, maisonettes might offer less privacy, and be closer to neighbors, but this can foster a sense of community. They also often come with stricter rules, such as pet restrictions or noise limits, unlike houses where you have more freedom to make your own rules.
Additionally, obtaining a mortgage for a maisonette can be more challenging, as some are considered “unmortgageable,” whereas houses typically face fewer lending restrictions.
Lastly, both maisonettes and houses usually have loft space, providing extra storage, which is a feature often lacking in flats or apartments, making them more appealing for those in need of additional room.
Maisonette vs Terraced House
When comparing a maisonette to a terraced house in Malta and Gozo, there are distinct differences in both layout and appeal. Maisonettes, often found in clusters, offer a unique blend of apartment-style convenience and house-like charm. They typically come with a ground-level entrance, providing privacy and access to outdoor spaces such as rear gardens or roof areas.
Maisonettes are ideal for families or young professionals, with many featuring up to four bedrooms and modernized open-plan layouts. They often retain traditional features like handcrafted woodwork, ornate staircases, and high ceilings.
On the other hand, terraced houses are larger and more traditional, featuring spacious interiors with grand entrance halls, multiple bedrooms, and expansive living areas. They are known for their thick limestone walls, high ceilings, and beautiful craftsmanship.
Terraced houses typically offer more space, often with gardens, rooftops that can be converted into outdoor living spaces, and off-street parking. While maisonettes offer more manageable outdoor areas and often come with modern amenities, terraced houses appeal to larger families looking for more room and privacy, making them highly sought-after in prime locations.
Maisonette vs Duplex
While both maisonettes and duplexes share similar characteristics, the key difference lies in their structure and layout. A maisonette typically refers to a two-story home within a building, but it often has its private entrance from the ground level, offering more autonomy compared to an apartment.
Maisonettes are frequently located above or below other properties, and they can have shared or private outdoor spaces. In contrast, a duplex is a two-story unit that is usually part of a larger building or complex, and while it may also have a private entrance, it’s often stacked vertically, meaning the living and sleeping areas are typically spread across two floors.
Duplexes are often part of a larger property ownership structure, such as a shared building or multi-family unit, and while they provide similar benefits to maisonettes, they tend to be more integrated within a building complex.
Ground Floor Maisonette
A ground-floor maisonette is a type of maisonette that occupies the ground level of a building, offering direct access from the street or a private garden calling for a detailed house extension. This layout makes it more convenient for individuals who prefer a separate entrance and the added benefit of having outdoor space, such as a front or rear yard.
Ground-floor maisonettes are especially appealing to those who want a more house-like feel but within a more compact, manageable space. They may also have the advantage of being more easily accessible, particularly for people with mobility issues.
On the downside, ground-floor maisonettes can sometimes have less privacy than those on higher floors, as they are more exposed to foot traffic and may face shared outdoor spaces with neighbors.
Nonetheless, their appeal lies in their practicality and the potential for personalization, with many owners using the outdoor areas to create private retreats or entertainment spaces.
Generally, if you think can a maisonette be on one floor, you can think of a maisonette as a small house, with a similar amount of space. Privacy is not an issue, as you will always have direct access, not having to share cluttered hallways or stairwells with neighbours. Add in the fact that most have two floors and you can see why the prices are so attractive when compared to a traditional flat or house.
For those looking to enhance or renovate their maisonette, working with a trusted renovation company can make all the difference in bringing your vision to life. Chaboun, a leading commercial construction company, provides expert solutions for renovation and construction projects, ensuring that your space meets both your aesthetic and functional needs. Whether you’re planning a minor upgrade or a major renovation, Chaboun’s team can guide you through the process with professionalism and care.
FAQS
What’s the difference between a maisonette and a flat?
The key difference between a maisonette and a flat lies in their layout and structure. A maisonette is a two-story home that typically has a private entrance, making it feel more like a house. Maisonettes often have outdoor spaces like a garden or a private yard and can be located on the ground or upper floors. In contrast, a flat is typically a single-level living space within a larger building or complex, and residents usually share common entrances and hallways. Flats are often part of a larger block of units, whereas maisonettes can be found in smaller clusters or as standalone homes within a building.
Why is a maisonette not a house?
A maisonette is not classified as a house because it is generally part of a larger building and shares structural elements with neighboring units, like walls and ceilings. While it might have its private entrance and may occupy two levels, it does not stand entirely independently like a traditional house. A house typically sits on its plot of land and is separated from other homes, offering more autonomy in terms of ownership and privacy. In contrast, a maisonette is still part of a larger structure, often sharing common walls or floors with neighboring units, which makes it distinct from a standalone house.
What are the disadvantages of a maisonette?
While maisonettes offer many benefits, they come with a few potential drawbacks. One disadvantage is that they may have less privacy compared to standalone houses because they are often located near other units. Noise from neighboring homes can be an issue, especially in densely populated areas. Additionally, maisonettes may have shared outdoor spaces, like gardens or parking areas, which can limit personal control over these areas. Maintenance can also be more complicated, as residents may need to work with other property owners or management for repairs or changes in shared spaces. Lastly, access to amenities like parking can be more limited compared to a house with its driveway or garage.
Does a maisonette have stairs?
Yes, a maisonette typically has stairs because it is a two-story living space. The staircase connects the ground floor to the upper floor, where additional living areas such as bedrooms are often located. The stairs are an essential feature of the maisonette’s design, as they help to divide the living space into separate functional areas, such as a living room and kitchen on the lower floor, with bedrooms or offices on the upper level. The inclusion of stairs is one of the key factors that differentiate a maisonette from a flat, which is usually a single-level space.
