Should you buy a flat or a house in the United Kingdom: Get an Expert advice

Property in the UK comes in all shapes and sizes. From large country homes to small urban bedsits, there is an incredible range. The type of property most suitable for you to buy will very much depend on factors like your own personal preference, your budget, the area where you are looking to buy and more. It can also depend on whether you are going to be living in the property yourself or whether you are buying as an investment.

However, there are times when all of the above are aligned in a way that gives you a big choice of property types. When this happens, you need to make a choice between whether it is a flat or house to buy. Here we have created a guide to the pros and cons of each, with the idea that it can help you make the decision which is right for you.

Sharing

Buying a flat means sharing, in almost all cases. You will be sharing a building with other property owners, but you will also be sharing access such as driveways, hallways and staircases. You will be also be sharing communal services such as bins. So, you need to be okay with this and understand that there may be an element of compromise.

You will also need to have some kind of relationship with your neighbours. That’s not to say you have to be best friends but sharing space with people means you will come into contact with them at times. You may also need to get together to discuss maintenance matters or other factors affecting the building.This isn’t to say that in a house you won’t have contact with other people. You may share access, party walls and other things with your neighbours, but in general a house gives you more privacy and more of a personal space in which to live.

Price

As a general rule, houses cost more than flats. That’s because there are fewer compromises involved in buying houses than flats. People generally prefer to have their own space and not having to share a hallway or access space comes at a premium. However, this is not always the case.

At the higher end of the market, flats often come with features that make them more desirable. For example, the building could come with a concierge service or security. You can often get good views from the elevated position. Plus, buildings often come with features that you may not be able to afford on your own. This could include health and leisure facilities such as a swimming pool or gym, or features such as a rooftop terrace or shared garden. For properties of this kind, the asking price could well be the same or even higher than that of a house of a similar square footage.

However, generally the privacy of a house, along with the more common features of outside space, multiple floors and personal access mean prices are higher.