What is a Maisonette?

Meaning Explained

In the UK, a Maisonette is a self-contained flat with a private front door that is directly off the street. It will, most of the time, have more than two floors. That is what sets a Maisonette apart from other flats with only one floor that are always accessed via a single entrance. Flats that sit on a single floor also share many internal parts.

It is worth noting that the name comes from the French word ‘maisonnette’ and means a small house. While it is possible to construct one from scratch, most of them exist as a result of converting the main house into a flat.

Maisonette Vs House

Is it possible to refer to a Maisonette as a house? Maisonettes are not houses, but they can share quite a number of similarities. Many people who don’t know the differences will naturally refer to a Maisonette as a house, which is also widely accepted.

The floors of a Maisonette will give you similar safety to that of a normal house. It is also possible to claim that Maisonettes are safer because the windows are all positioned on the upper level of the structure.

One can only access the building through the front door, thereby making you safer from burglars. From the outside, Maisonettes look exactly like normal houses. Most of them have garages and gardens, making them ideal for small and large families.

In some cases, the garden might be shared with others in the same building, or it could solely belong to the Maisonette. That is why before purchasing the property, you need to check out its plans and tenure (and planning permission in the area).

Maisonette Vs Apartment

When shopping around, you will notice that some Maisonettes look more like apartments from the outside. However, apartments are flats that are normally constructed with some luxury in mind.

The only thing that makes apartments stand out is the design. They have a dazzling layout and have fancy features. Apartments are normally designed in a way that can even attract some of the wealthiest property buyers.

What are the Benefits of a Maisonette?

You can benefit from a Maisonette in a number of ways. First, compared to flats, they are way safer. It has a single front door, so it will feel like your own home. In that case, you will be able to come up with your own security systems, convenient delivery, and easier access for the post.

Maisonettes also come with additional storage spaces and floor areas. Compared to normal houses, Maisonettes are easily affordable and don’t cost a lot of money to maintain. However, when you purchase, you might have to deal with some shortcomings, such as noisy neighbours.

Did you know that you can easily extend a Maisonette and give it a unique design? You can easily do this whether it is a lower or upper Maisonette. You only need to get in touch with trusted experts.

Closing Thoughts

Don’t forget the fact that they might have different meanings based on your location. However, the details we have shared will give you a clear picture of a Maisonette in the UK.

If you’re interested in this topic and want to learn more, we recommend checking out the following sources for other information on maisonettes. We hope that our brief explanation of a maisonette has been helpful!