We travel all over the world! Apartments and apartments: what is the difference and significant differences

The social infrastructure of modern society in the real estate industry is constantly evolving in order to meet all the needs of citizens in obtaining housing. Therefore, in practice, one can observe the demand for apartments and apartments. Attention to these properties is directed by buyers and developers. However, before making a choice, you should understand the question “apartments and apartments: what is the difference”.

The difference between an apartment and an apartment is important in many aspects, while also having some similar features. This is primarily due to the fact that these two types of housing have different purposes when purchased. In addition, the difference between an apartment and an apartment is considered depending on the country in which this property is of interest to the buyer. In this article, we will consider the nuances directly for the Russian Federation.

To get an idea of ​​what an apartment is, you can mark this property as habitable, but at the same time having the status of temporary housing. Providing residents with a standard range of qualities, communication systems for a comfortable stay, the apartments are deprived of full benefits and some legal guarantees that are provided to the owners.

Dear readers!

Our articles talk about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is unique. If you want to know how to solve your particular problem, please use the online consultant form on the right →

It's fast and free! Or give us a call (24/7):

What is the difference between an apartment and an apartment in practice?

It should be noted that the main differences between an apartment and an apartment are in the legal status. For example, the Housing Code of the Russian Federation clearly defines real estate that may be related to the housing stock:

• Apartment or part;
• Private house or part;
• Room.

In addition to the type of property, its main housing characteristics are functionality. In accordance with the current norms of Russian legislation, these are isolated premises suitable for living in them on a permanent basis. These premises must necessarily meet sanitary and hygienic standards, building codes, fire safety and other legislative criteria.

The above are requirements for familiar apartments, however, the functional purposes of the apartments are different. And this difference lies in the fact that they are intended for temporary residence of citizens. This means that from the legal point of view, this type of real estate is in the nature of non-residential premises, regardless of what was originally intended specifically for housing.

Apartment and apartment: payment difference

The difference between apartments and apartments is also observed in the cost of these two properties. The price of apartments on the market is lower, which gives them a seemingly tangible advantage. This fact is due to the fact that the developer is deprived of social obligations. But if, in the coming years, changes are made to Russian legislation regarding social nuances in the construction of such real estate, we can expect that a significant difference in cost will simply be erased.

At this stage, prices differ by an average of ten percent, and sometimes more. But despite the significantly reduced cost, the rent for their operation will be higher than in conventional apartments. Payment for housing and communal services is on average eighteen percent more than for the same services for housing in an apartment building. And if engineering and technical communication systems are brought up without mediation, then these services will become even more expensive.

Another nuance that you need to know about before purchasing a property is that there are no benefits and subsidies for apartment owners that apartment owners can use. And the level of income will not affect this fact in any way, since in the legislation, the same Housing Code, this category of owners is not mentioned.

What is the difference between an apartment and an apartment: the legal side

It has already been mentioned that, from the legal point of view, apartments are not in the full sense of the residential property. This is a kind of isolated room for temporary comfortable living, but close in characteristics to a hotel room.

In addition to the difference in the cost of the property and housing and communal services for its maintenance, it is also necessary to indicate that the owner, his family and other citizens can register in the apartment, but registration is not possible in the apartments. Because in the legal sense, this is not a living space. And although the owner will have all the necessary documents on hand that confirm his property rights, this will not give him the right to a residence permit. At the same time, even temporary registration can be problematic, since such registration is only allowed if they are in a building that has the status of an apart-hotel or hotel.

The next difference is the infrastructure itself in the social sphere - the developer is not required by law to take care of the location of polyclinics and educational institutions nearby.

Apartment or flat. common property

The Housing Code provides for an equivalent division of common property, responsibility for its maintenance between all owners of apartments in an apartment building. And such an order is not only provided for, it imposes a similar obligation. But nothing is said about the common property for apartment owners in the same regulations. That is, there are no obligations, but at the same time, in the event of disputes, litigation and other similar situations, considerable difficulties can arise. In addition, it is important to note that if the owner of an apartment, buying it, receives ownership along with it and part of the common facilities, then the buyer of the apartment receives only them and that's it. The rest of the building and its communications systems remain the property of the developer, which often means that the developer has the right to independently choose a management company with higher tariffs.

Here lies another distinctive point - the owners of apartments, by law, cannot create homeowners associations, because this type of real estate does not legally belong to the housing stock. But here you can use an alternative method - by signing an agreement to create a simple partnership or non-profit partnerships.

Apartments and flats: what's the difference? Advantages and disadvantages

For those who are faced with a choice in purchasing real estate, it will be useful to analyze the significant pros and cons of these two types of real estate:

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that to a greater extent the choice between the options described in our article depends on the purpose of such an acquisition. For a family that has no other place of residence, this can hardly be called an ideal option, despite the cost of real estate. But for legal entities or for entrepreneurial activities with the rental of housing, the picture will have a completely different look.

Dear readers!

It's fast and free! Or give us a call (24/7).

Many people do not quite understand what this definition means. Yes, in Italian or French, where the term came from, appartamento or appartement denote an apartment, but there is no official concept of apartments in the regulations of the Russian Federation. This is the name of the premises belonging to the non-residential fund, where comfortable living conditions are created. Often apartments can be found in hotel buildings and office buildings, but all of them are intended only for temporary residence of citizens.

What is the difference between an apartment and an apartment

First of all, it is worth noting that these two concepts mean completely different things. Before buying a property, it is important to understand how an apartment differs from a regular dwelling. The difference is as follows:

• The minimum area of ​​apartments starts from 40 sq. m, the number of rooms - from 2. In addition, a prerequisite is the presence of a kitchen and a bathroom.
• The objects do not belong to the housing stock, they are actually used for living and as office space.
• To redevelop a dwelling, the owner must go through many instances to agree on the changes. For a non-residential facility, redevelopment is a less labor-intensive procedure.
• When buying an apartment, all family members, including the owner, can register on a permanent basis. Residents of premises belonging to the non-residential fund are allowed temporary registration.
• SNiPs and norms for the construction of these two types of housing have differences. Apart-objects must meet increased fire safety requirements: buildings are equipped with an additional fire escape. In addition, the construction of a building where apartments will be located is allowed only on lands that, for certain reasons, cannot be used for residential construction.
• The design of the local area has different requirements. According to construction standards, the developer is obliged to improve the territory adjacent to the house before the housing is put into operation. Since the apartment building is not a residential property, it can be put on the real estate market without a full range of landscaping work.
• The building with apartments and residential building is managed by a specialized company. An important difference between an apartment and an apartment is that the residents of an object belonging to the non-residential fund do not have the right to re-elect the management company. The cost for utilities in an apartment is several thousand rubles less than a payment for a non-residential object of equal footage. In addition, in the second case, the payment includes a fee for "building management costs".

Advantages and disadvantages

In the real estate market, the share of apartments is growing every day, because demand creates supply. Such real estate is especially popular among residents of megacities. When choosing a living space, buyers find out what are the pros and cons of this type of premises. As for the advantages of such a purchase, it is worth highlighting the following:

• Living in a large living space in the city center near social infrastructure, because the construction of new residential complexes in the central regions of megacities is practically not carried out.
• The cost is 20-25% cheaper than the price per "square" in a residential new building, which is located in the same market segment.
• The possibility of moving as soon as possible - as soon as the building is put into operation. Non-residential facilities are leased and sold ready-to-live-in, so the owner will be able to move in immediately after receiving the keys.
• Residents of the apartments are provided with medical assistance, places in kindergartens and schools on the same basis as the owners of the apartments.
• If you do not want to live in the purchased object, the owner can rent it out by contacting the specialists of the management company, so as not to look for tenants on their own.
• Residents use additional services on the territory of the apartment complexes: shops, spas, fitness rooms, beauty salons, restaurants. In addition, the owners of the premises, which are serviced by their own service companies, can order the services provided in hotel rooms: laundry, cleaning, food delivery.
• Residents save on the repair of only acquired housing, because all the finishing work has already been completed there, and some objects are equipped with furniture.

The demand for this type of premises is growing, but before buying this type of housing, it is still worth learning about its shortcomings. The following disadvantages of the apartments are distinguished:

• High tariffs for utility bills, which also include the cost of additional services, which often cannot be refused even if desired.
• The inability to obtain a permanent residence permit, only a temporary one for a period of 5 years.
• The apartments are not designed for comfortable living for families with children.
• Aparthotel developers are not obliged to provide parking spaces for the apartment buildings.

Kinds

Elite and economy class objects are put on the real estate market. Separate the following types of housing:

• Rooms in apart-hotels are the most budget options. Mostly apartments are rented for a short period. Often they have from two rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and hotel services are provided to the residents.
• Rooms in an apartment building intended for long-term rent. Cleaning, security, catering services are available to the owner and household members.
• Rooms in condominium hotels. Premises are rented, while residents are provided with all hotel services. Some of them are redeemed for life.
• Apartments located in multifunctional complexes. Hotel services for residents are not provided, because the objects are closer in status to apartments. In addition, they involve the sale and the possibility of temporary registration.

Classes

Demand for apartments located in mixed-use complexes today already accounts for 18% of all housing being built. At the same time, this type of premises is divided into different classes:

• Class A - studio version. It is a living room combined with a kitchen. The area of ​​the object ranges from 40 to 50 "squares". Often young families live in studios without children or singles. The cost of renting an apartment starts from 40 thousand rubles / month.
• Class B - a room with 2-3 rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. Suitable for both students and families with a child.
• Class C - spacious apartments with 3-5 rooms with a total area of ​​​​more than 100 square meters. m. Large families buy or rent such houses, for which life in the center of the metropolis is a priority. For investors of this kind, objects are an unprofitable investment.
• Luxury class. There is real estate in big cities, while the object is a villa on the ocean coast or a prestigious penthouse on top of a skyscraper. Additional services are attached to the premises: security, restaurants, entertainment, recreation services. Often, apartments are two rooms with separate baths, and they are considered elite due to their favorable location and expensive finishes.

Purchase

When purchasing an apartment, it is important to pay attention to the indicated area of ​​​​the premises. The future owner should know that if the property also includes the adjacent territory and common areas, then the communal tax will be calculated from the entire area. It should be noted that for apartments, unlike rooms, houses and apartments, there are no tax deductions. In addition to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe premises, it is advisable for the buyer to consider:

• what is the legal status of future housing;
• operational parameters;
• location;
• layout.

Nuances of registration in apartments

The properties are not considered residential, so one of the disadvantages of living in them is the inability to obtain registration at the place of residence. As practice shows, it is still possible to register, but temporarily - for 5 years, and provided that according to the documents the apartments are designated as a hotel. Each time after 5 years, you can register again, while the number of times is not limited. Another option to get a permanent residence permit is to wait until the state recognizes the apartments as residential facilities, because the draft federal law on this matter has already been prepared by the Ministry of Construction.

If in the cadastral passport, other technical document, the main thing is that in the single database of Rosreestr the building is designated as a shopping or office center, also if the area itself is indicated for offices, catering points or other form of commercial use, then registration is impossible, even temporary. When registering at the place of residence, the purpose of the building also plays an important role:

• in the hotel there should be no problems with temporary registration;
• in apartments that are located in a commercial and office building, even temporarily it is impossible to register.

What is the apartment tax

This is influenced by the information specified in the title documents, the cadastral passport and the unified database of Rosreestr. The minimum tax possible when calculating this type of property is 0.5% of the cadastral value, the maximum value can reach 2%. For comparison, the tax rate for a residential apartment in a new building is only 0.1%.

WhereEtotDom.RU turned to a professional to destroy the prevailing myths in the apartment market. About the advantages and disadvantages of apartments and whether it is worth buying them - read on.

Myths about apartments

From the point of view of professional realtor Natalia Shirokova, who has been working in the real estate market for more than 9 years, the main difference between apartments and apartments is as follows. - this is a non-residential premises in which there is a room or rooms equipped for living, a kitchen, a bathroom and other amenities. The expert explained the advantages and disadvantages of the apartments with concrete examples.

For comparison, two pairs of apartments - apartments were selected. The first pair is located next to an ordinary residential building on Yaroslavl Highway and a multifunctional residential complex with apartments next to the Losiny Ostrov park, the second pair is next to the Vodny Stadion metro station, in which the developer offers both apartments and apartments.

Myth 1. Apartments are cheaper than apartments

Let's compare the cost of apartments and apartments in the multifunctional complex "Vodny" and on the Yaroslavl highway.

Indeed, apartments are not just cheaper, but much cheaper than similar apartments. in a neighboring house is more expensive than apartments by 36%. In the Vodny complex, the difference was 20%.

If you make a selection of apartments for 8 million rubles. in the area of ​​apartments on the Yaroslavl highway, we see that for the same money you can buy:

• 2-room apartment

• and even a 3-room apartment

Thus, the myth is confirmed.

Myth 2. High taxes on apartments

Indeed, the tax itself is 5 times higher. For residential premises - 0.1%, but for apartments - already 0.5% of the taxable base. Keep in mind that taxes are calculated based on the cadastral value of real estate, which is much lower for apartments.

The calculation on the example of apartments and apartments on the Yaroslavl highway looks like this:

In addition, the taxable base for an apartment can be reduced by an applicable tax deduction of 20 sq. m of the total area of ​​the apartment for each owner of the apartment. However, the tax deduction does not apply to apartments.

Thus, tax payments for apartments are at least 14,662 rubles/year higher.

The difference between the apartment being compared and the apartments upon purchase is 2,900,000 rubles. Dividing this difference (2,900,000) by the “overpayment” in taxes of 14,662.67 rubles / year, we get 197 years.

The buyer who purchased the apartments, having paid 2.9 million rubles for them. less than for an apartment in a neighboring house, and paying taxes on 14,662.67 rubles. more, will save for 197 years.

The myth is confirmed: the tax rate is higher, but the savings are greater.

Myth 3. Apartments do not receive a tax deduction when they are purchased

Tax deduction available:

• to, apartments, rooms, or shares (shares) in them in a finished house, or rights to an apartment, room or shares (shares) in them in a house under construction;
• for the purchase of building and finishing materials;
• for work related to the finishing of an apartment, a room or a share (shares) in them, as well as the costs of developing design and estimate documentation for finishing work;
• for construction work (completion of a residential building or a share (s) in it, unfinished construction) and finishing;
• for connection to networks of electricity, water and gas supply and sewerage or the creation of autonomous sources of electricity, water and gas supply and sewerage.

There is no tax deduction for apartments.

Here you need to take into account one more point: only citizens of the Russian Federation who are payers of personal income tax can use the tax deduction. So, for example, individual entrepreneurs working under a simplified taxation system will not be able to use it even if.

Myth confirmed.

Myth 3. Apartments are built on industrial lands “saturated” with heavy metals

All apartments can be divided into:

• Apartments in the reconstructed buildings of factories and manufactories. For example, The Loft Club at 17, Dukhovskiy per., was erected on the site of the Tannery Factory in 1869, all buildings were built anew. Loft-quarter "Danilovskaya Manufactory" - reconstruction of the building of the former textile factory, which worked in the 19th century, where in some buildings there were bleaching shops. How dangerous such lands are is up to the buyer to decide.
• Apartments in new buildings - Moscow City International Business Center, Vodny Multifunctional Center, etc. New complexes are being built next to residential buildings, on the same land.

The myth is destroyed, not all apartments are on industrial land.

Myth 4. It is impossible to check in at the apartment

Temporary registration is possible in apartments if the building in which they are located has the status of a hotel or apart-hotel, i.e. the certificate of ownership must contain the entry “non-residential premises of a hotel type” or “hotel-type apartments”. Such an opportunity is provided, for example, by MIBC Moscow-City and MFC Vodny.

With temporary registration, you can enroll a child in a kindergarten or school, attach to a clinic.

The myth has been busted.

Myth 5. Large utility bills

Many people think that the difference in utility bills between an apartment and an apartment is 2-3 times more.

Utility payments for apartments compared to apartments are indeed 20% higher. For example, for a 2-room apartment at 124 Yaroslavl Highway, the owner pays 4,500-5,000 rubles per month, and 6,000 rubles for an apartment in a neighboring house.

There is a difference, but it is insignificant.

Myth confirmed.

Myth 6. Banks do not provide mortgages for apartments

Indeed, banks have a very different approach to lending to apartments. Sberbank and Rosselkhozbank currently do not lend to apartments, but VTB 24, Bank of Moscow and Delta Credit offer to issue a loan for apartments on the same terms as apartments (12-14%).

The myth has been busted.

Myth 7. Developers do not build social infrastructure near the apartment complex

We are talking about schools, kindergartens and clinics. Indeed, the developer is not obliged to build social infrastructure facilities, and, as a rule, does not. But many developers, given the high competition in the real estate market, are working on the concepts of their projects and taking into account the needs of future buyers. For example, in (Beregovoy proezd, vl. 5) it is planned to build a polyclinic and a kindergarten. In addition, apartment complexes are often built in areas with established infrastructure that can be used.

The myth has not been confirmed.

Based on the results of the analysis, the specialist advises choosing apartments in the following cases:

• those who already have an apartment in which you can register;
• entrepreneurs who can use the apartment as an office;
• those who plan;
• young and active, who buy a small area “to start”, that is, with the prospect of selling it in 3-5 years and acquiring a larger area.

In the Moscow housing market, apartments have ceased to be something exotic. In the first half of 2016, the volume of supply of such real estate reached 37%, and the minimum budget for the purchase of apartments within the old Moscow for the same period decreased from 4.6 million rubles. to unprecedented for the capital 2.3 million rubles. “Kommersant” figured out how apartments differ from traditional apartments.

The differences between apartments and flats can be roughly divided into three groups. The first is the legal differences, which are related to the non-residential legal status of the apartments. The second is economic, namely the difference in the market and cadastral value of such objects, as well as the peculiarities of payment for utilities and taxes. Finally, the third group, technical, combines the differences in requirements for the design and construction of apartments.

From the point of view of the Housing Code, an apartment is a residential, isolated premise, which is real estate and is suitable for permanent residence of citizens (it meets the established sanitary and technical rules and regulations, and other requirements of the law). In addition to apartments, the legislation also includes a residential building (part of a residential building) and a room as residential premises. Apartments are classified as non-residential premises, that is, they are premises for temporary accommodation of citizens, not intended for permanent residence. According to the managing partner of "Metrium Group" Maria Litinetskaya, the concept of "apartment" is mentioned only in the classification of hotel rooms, which is given by the Ministry of Culture. According to this typology, an apartment is a room with an area of ​​at least 40 sq. m, consisting of two or more rooms (living room, dining room, bedroom) with a kitchenette. However, Ms. Litinetskaya continues, in practice, developers are not guided by this definition, even if the apartment complex under construction has a hotel purpose.

Registration at the place of residence

Permanent registration can only be obtained in a residential area - an apartment, a room, a house. Permanent registration in Moscow makes it possible to receive an increase in pension (only for those who have lived in the capital for at least ten years), subsidies for utility bills, travel benefits for pensioners and minors in public transport, as well as the use of a city telephone, identification of a child in kindergarten, school and other educational institutions at the place of registration.

Apartments cannot be registered on a permanent basis, since such objects are non-residential premises. But if the apartment complex has the status of a hotel, then the owner of the apartment can receive a temporary registration for five years. Temporary registration gives almost the same rights as the owner of an apartment with permanent registration. Nevertheless, says Maria Litinetskaya, when a child who is not attached to a place of residence is enrolled in a school, his application is considered after applications from residents of houses attached to the school and having permanent registration. Otherwise, there are no fundamental differences between temporary and permanent registration.

Owner's rights

The owners of apartments in a residential building own common property on the basis of shared ownership along with other residents. That is, all common areas, the roof and the yard are the property of the apartment owners. Accordingly, residents can jointly decide how to dispose of common spaces. For example, they can prevent unwanted use of basements, roofs, attics and other spaces. At the same time, the managing partner of Metrium Group continues, the apartment owners do not have the right to share ownership of the common property in the apartment complex (landings, stairs, halls, elevators, elevator and other shafts, corridors, technical floors, attics, basements, in which there are engineering communications, etc.). For example, if the apartment owners decide to make a joint fenced vestibule on the landing, they will have to buy or rent this territory from the owner, who usually remains the seller of the apartment or the management company. However, adds Maria Litinetskaya, you need to understand that the management company lives off payments from apartment owners and it is not profitable for her to spoil relations with them.

There is a difference in foreclosure on owners. When the homeowner becomes a debtor and the court orders the confiscation of his property in favor of creditors, bailiffs cannot evict him from the apartment if it is the only place of residence. The exception is housing purchased on a mortgage. The owner of the apartment can be evicted in the event of foreclosure.

Prices and taxes

Apartments are more expensive than apartments, as the developer of a residential building initially bears higher costs associated with obtaining all necessary permits. The difference in the cost of apartments and flats reaches an average of 30% depending on the project. This is due to the fact that the developer incurs lower construction costs and can allow the property to be listed at reduced prices without compromising profits.

The average cost of flats and apartments in the first half of 2016 (million rubles)

Apart-hotel "YES"

The ongoing ubiquitous technical progress of this century, the emergence of new technologies in the field of world science and technology necessitate the constant development of the social infrastructure of society, including the real estate market, which can fully satisfy the population's need for housing.

Currently, in the real estate industry, the two key objects that are the main focus of both developers and potential buyers are apartments and apartments. These residential objects have both similar features and many fundamental differences. Their presence is explained, among other things, by the difference in the purposes for which they are acquired.

The factors that distinguish apartments from apartments vary greatly depending on which country to consider - for example, Russia or one of the European ones.

Apartment interior

In a general sense, apartments differ from apartments in their housing "status" - they are a kind of temporary housing with a standard set of amenities and communications. This type of housing most often provides for its residents a standard level of comfort, being something like a hotel room, but not having the full range of qualities and characteristics necessary for a full-fledged living, and providing them with the most minimal list of legal guarantees and benefits that owners own apartments.

Having outlined an approximate, general picture of the difference between apartments and apartments, we will consider the criteria for the difference between them in more detail, starting with the real estate market Russia:

1. Legal status and the possibility of registration.

From the point of view of legal norms, apartments are not legally valuable housing. Registration and registration at the place of residence of citizens living in them is impossible even if there is documentation confirming their ownership of it. There is only the possibility of temporary registration of the owner of the apartments, but only if they are located in a building that is an apart-hotel or hotel.

2. The level of development of social infrastructure.

This difference concerns the construction of various social facilities near apart-hotels and complexes, providing a comfortable, full and most convenient accommodation for residents of apartments in the area. These facilities include mainly children's educational and preschool educational institutions, hospitals, etc. The companies involved in the construction of apart-hotels are not subject to the obligation to provide apartment owners with this kind of social infrastructure in this residential area. In other words, there is a risk of acquiring an apartment in an uninhabited area, which may remain a bedroom, even though the developers may make promises of the speedy and comprehensive development of infrastructure in this place.

3. Housing cost.

A significant and rather significant advantage of apartments is their lower cost compared to apartments, which is explained by the developer's lack of obligations to develop and expand social infrastructure in the area where the apart-hotel is being built. However, relevant legal regulations are currently being prepared by the state legislature, according to which social obligations will apply to companies engaged in the development of such housing.

But until such laws are adopted, the price per square meter in apartments and apartments is very different - the size of the difference in their cost is from 10 to 15%, depending on the level of comfort of housing and, of course, the city and district in which it is located.

Petrovsky Apart House

4. The amount of rent.

Based on this criterion, buying an apartment will be more profitable than buying an apartment. The amount of payment for housing and communal services in the latter is much higher than when living in an apartment due to value added tax. The standard difference is 18%, but if we consider individual tariffs for housing communications in apartments, then the difference in the amount of payment compared to apartments will be even higher - this applies to payment for cold and hot water, sewerage, heating and other utilities.

The situation is even more complicated in those cases when the housing communications of apart-hotels are connected to city networks by intermediary organizations, which, in turn, wind up an additional percentage for their own services.

5. Lack of benefits and subsidies for utility bills.

Apartment owners do not have the right to use subsidies or benefits for the payment of housing communications if their monthly income is below the established norm. But, due to the lower cost of such housing compared to apartments, this price difference is relatively balanced.

6. Expected increase in the tax value of the apartment living space.

Legislative bodies of the Russian Federation in the near future promise to raise the tax rate on non-residential property by 0.5%. For apartments, it is 0.1%.

7. The situation with the common property of the aparthotel.

According to the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, the owners of apartments in multi-storey buildings bear joint and equal share responsibility for the technical premises located in them. The owners of the apartments are not mentioned in this document.

There is a high probability that the apart-hotel developer, taking advantage of his own "monopoly" position, will impose services of this kind on his residents, and this, most often, is fraught with excessive winding up of tariffs for utility bills.

8. Inability to form a homeowners association.

Due to the fact that the apartments do not have the legal status of residential premises, their owners do not have the opportunity to create an HOA to jointly solve emerging common housing problems. However, it is possible to create some other forms of partnership with a similar purpose.

9. The possibility of free redevelopment of housing.

Apartment owners have the right to re-plan their accommodation without obtaining a special permit for this, which is not possible when living in an apartment. The only condition that must be observed in this case is a guarantee that the changes made will not harm the structure of the premises and will not jeopardize the safety of the residents living in the apart-hotel.

Free layout

Having described the differences between apartments and apartments in Russia, you can go to Europe. Here, many criteria for the difference are similar to those in Russia - for example, a higher amount of utility bills compared to apartments.

If we talk about specific countries, then in Spain apartments differ from apartments, mainly in the presence of a fenced area with small social infrastructure facilities common to residents.

In a country like Bulgaria, an apartment is called an apartment, consisting of at least two rooms, as well as compactly accommodating furniture and household appliances built into the walls, which is completely optional and uncharacteristic for similar housing in Russia. In addition, apart-hotels in this country provide their residents with a range of additional services - security services, free parking, fitness and spa salons, playgrounds for children, and more. All these factors cause here a higher level of cost of apartments compared to apartments.