The above first picture shows a condo in Singapore. This one is a gated complex. It consists of several blocks of flats, each flat called a unit. They share facilities such as a swimming pool surrounded by gardens, a children's playground, a gym, tennis courts and a shop and nursery school.
A friend in England (she is a writer who has written a book about farming) writes to ask me, what is a condo?
UK Flats
Let us start with a flat. In the UK a flat is any one level family unit in a block of flats. In a city centre a block of flats might have a car park but no garden.
Flats in London will be called flat one, flat two, and so on.
However, in some other countries, a flat is very basic, maybe small, a bit like the UK studio flat, which is one room for bedroom and living room combined.
APARTMENTS
An apartment is a grander word, suggesting more space.
CONDO
A condo is different and is a bit more like a hotel with facilities. usually not just a communal garden, but recreational facilities, such as a gym, or swimming pool, or tennis courts. A larger condo might have a shop.
When you or your agent advertise a property to rent or buy, you must get the terminology right.
1 As a seller, so that you do not mislead the customer and waste their time or worse still get into a dispute.
2 As a seller, so you don't downplay the advantages of a property and lose a sale.
3 As a buyer so you are sure to get what you wanted.
BUNGALOW
A bungalow in India and Singapore might mean a detached property.
In the UK it is usually one storey, no upstairs (occasionally one room in the converted attic. All the kitchen and bathroom and living room and at least one bedroom are on one floor so it is often sold to retired people who cannot manage stairs.
In the USA it would be called a ranch house. In the USA, you often have a cellar which is cool and used as a playroom or store room.
About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer photographer, author and speaker. She teacher English and public speaking.
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Club for training speakers meets online on app learncool.sg twice a month on the first Wednesday evening (6.30 for 7 pm Singapore time) and 3rd Saturday afternoon 1.30 for 2 pm Singapore time.
Visitors welcome.
Singapore flag.A friend in England (she is a writer who has written a book about farming) writes to ask me, what is a condo?
UK Flats
UK flag.Let us start with a flat. In the UK a flat is any one level family unit in a block of flats. In a city centre a block of flats might have a car park but no garden.
Flats in London will be called flat one, flat two, and so on.
However, in some other countries, a flat is very basic, maybe small, a bit like the UK studio flat, which is one room for bedroom and living room combined.
APARTMENTS
An apartment is a grander word, suggesting more space.
CONDO
A condo is different and is a bit more like a hotel with facilities. usually not just a communal garden, but recreational facilities, such as a gym, or swimming pool, or tennis courts. A larger condo might have a shop.
When you or your agent advertise a property to rent or buy, you must get the terminology right.
1 As a seller, so that you do not mislead the customer and waste their time or worse still get into a dispute.
2 As a seller, so you don't downplay the advantages of a property and lose a sale.
3 As a buyer so you are sure to get what you wanted.
BUNGALOW
A bungalow in India and Singapore might mean a detached property.
In the USA it would be called a ranch house. In the USA, you often have a cellar which is cool and used as a playroom or store room.
About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer photographer, author and speaker. She teacher English and public speaking.
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Club for training speakers meets online on app learncool.sg twice a month on the first Wednesday evening (6.30 for 7 pm Singapore time) and 3rd Saturday afternoon 1.30 for 2 pm Singapore time.
Visitors welcome.
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