There are a lot of great advantages to a condo rental as opposed to an apartment. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide what’s right for you. Read on to learn more.
 consider a condo rental as opposed to a house or apartment. The terminology may be confusing to you but it is really quite simple. The differences lie in the legal terms of the property. A condominium is a legal term that, for one, implies that the unit is owned privately. The difference between a condo and an apartment or home is that the common area spaces are managed by an association of owners that act as a whole.
Take for instance an apartment building. The common areas are maintained by a property manager or property owner. The landlord is responsible for the entirety of the property – both your unit and the common area spaces you share with your fellow renters. They set the rules and regulations. They maintain full responsibility.
In a condominium, the common are taken care of by the residents of the condo community working together as a team to properly care for and maintain the environment. This empowers the owners and renters of the community to make important decisions for the property as a whole. Usually a council is set up to discuss the interests of the entire community. They maintain a list of guidelines and regulations to make the community a safe, clean, and enjoyable place to live.
As a renter in a condo community, you are usually not included in the common area decisions that are made by this group of property owners. The person you are leasing your unit from will represent the living space you are occupying. This does not mean that you are completely without a say in your living situation, however. You are brought into the community and learn the rules and regulations set out by the council of owners but are also invited to take part as a community member. There may be several renters in your community who are renting. Because of the mutual sense of responsibility, you will act as a member of the condominium community.
If you rent a unit in a condo community, your landlord is the owner of the unit and has a stake in the community decisions. However, the owner may not be a professional landlord, especially if this is a short-term rental with full furnishings. You will be required to maintain the property with the necessary contractors as problems arise. In an apartment, a maintenance supervisor can take care of everything from a burned out light bulb to major plumbing issues. In a condominium however, you will be in charge of the maintenance as if you were the owner. This usually results in a lower monthly price because part of your rent isn’t going to additional staff.
There are pros and cons when you’re weighing what each choice may hold. You must negotiate what is important to you, your concerns and priorities, and make a decision based on what you ultimately decide.
