Beckfield Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Hi everyone, we are looking at houses for sale in England as we'll be going back within next few months. Can anyone tell me please, what is a "maisonette"? Is it half a house?? Or a duplex?? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 A maissonette is normally an already semi-detached two storey house but split into totally self contained accommodation on each level with their own front door. The stairs may be outside or inside. Most are purpose-built but they can be conversions from a single semi-detached property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I should add that you should be cautious of conversions because downstairs a bathroom has been added and upstairs a kitchen and it can lead to poor configurations and inadequate room sizes. But the big problem is often inadequate sound-proofing so you get to hear the people above moving around and you know what they are watching on TV etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckfield Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 38 minutes ago, Gbye grey sky said: I should add that you should be cautious of conversions because downstairs a bathroom has been added and upstairs a kitchen and it can lead to poor configurations and inadequate room sizes. But the big problem is often inadequate sound-proofing so you get to hear the people above moving around and you know what they are watching on TV etc. Hi Gbye Grey Sky, I'm not sure if my response to your answer re maisonettes was submitted properly so repeating it here for safety's sake. Many thanks for your explanation. I am particularly glad you mentioned about caution re neighbor noise, as that would drive me nuts, hearing other people's TVs etc. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 6 minutes ago, Beckfield said: Hi Gbye Grey Sky, I'm not sure if my response to your answer re maisonettes was submitted properly so repeating it here for safety's sake. Many thanks for your explanation. I am particularly glad you mentioned about caution re neighbor noise, as that would drive me nuts, hearing other people's TVs etc. Thank you! No problem. But just to confirm the noise issue is, I understand, more of an issue for conversions rather than purpose-built, which is more like a flat/apartment essentially. Another issue is responsibility for maintenance of the external facade, gardens, drive etc. as they are likely to be leasehold rather than freehold homes. Maisonettes can also be in a block or terrace, not just semi-detached I should have mentioned. They will be much more affordable than houses for these reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I know maisonettes to be in a block like flats but have two levels, so from the outside it looks like say 6 flats high but its actually only 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Are maisonettes a Southern thing? I can't remember getting them up North Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 5 minutes ago, The Pom Queen said: Are maisonettes a Southern thing? I can't remember getting them up North Get them in Scotland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welljock Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 7 minutes ago, AJ said: Get them in Scotland They tend to be called Cottage Flats in Scotland 13 minutes ago, The Pom Queen said: Are maisonettes a Southern thing? I can't remember getting them up North According to Wiki they are also commonly called Tyneside Flats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Just now, welljock said: They tend to be called Cottage Flats in Scotland According to Wiki they are also commonly called Tyneside Flats Were definately called Maisonettes in Fife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckfield Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 @The Pom Queen the one I was referring to was in North Yorkshire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 2 hours ago, Beckfield said: @The Pom Queen the one I was referring to was in North Yorkshire. Really @Beckfield and I was raised in North Yorkshire lol. It sounds like a posh word they would use in Harrogate or the Yorkshire Dales so that they can inflate the price lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckfield Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 @The Pom Queen You may well be right !! I've never heard of it, but by the sounds of it I probably wouldn't want one anyway. Think I'll stick to looking for a normal house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I always think of them as being apartments but with your own front door I lived in one (modern build) and it was really nice, but as I was upstairs, no garden or outside space of my own. Also watch out for 'cluster homes'. A bit of an outdated term but is basically two sets of semi-detached houses, back to back (ie, a 'cluster' of four). Usually only one or two bedrooms though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckfield Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 @vickyplum Thank you, good info! I just learned yesterday what leasehold and freehold are. So many differences. Appreciate your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Vickyplum is right a maisonette is a flat or unit with its own front entance so no communal spaces inside. For leasehold think strata and freehold think torrens title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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