Difference Between Condominium and Apartments
“What’s the difference between a Condominium and an Apartment?”
We’ve been asked this question a lot. Especially regarding Malaysian property. the two terms are pretty much used a lot, sometimes interchangeably. “Golden Villa Condominium” or “Sri Jaya Apartments“, for examples. Then there are serviced apartments, who also like to use the term ‘condominium’. Or the more popular (these days) term ‘Residency‘ or ‘Residences‘.
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Before we go into our understanding of the differences, let’s see what’s the textbook (or e-textbook, so to speak) definition:
Answers.com give the following definition of Condominium:
Condominium - A large property complex that is divided into individual units and sold. Ownership usually includes a non-exclusive interest in certain “common properties” controlled by the condominium management.
As for Apartment, it is defined as:
A room or suite of rooms designed as a residence and generally located in a building occupied by more than one household.
It is similar to the British term ‘flats’, ‘apartment’ is a more American term. However, flat has a rather low-cost connotation here in Malaysia, its hardly used these days to describe new property launches. (For an example, see Pekeliling Flats)
Judging from the definition above, we would think the main difference would be that the condo has common facilities shared by all the residents (e.g. pool, function halls, gymnasium, etc) while apartment refers strictly to the residential unit in the building.
Our take:
Having said that, this dividing line of definition does not exist in Malaysia. Most apartments have common facilities (some up to international standards) and some condos have nothing more than a playground and security hut.
So, it’s pretty much interchangeable. Some developers advertise “5-star condominium” or “6-star resort style facilities“, but there isn’t a recognized body that gives these star ratings. So its basically marketing-speak, really.
Buyers then have to personally weigh the benefits and facilities, like freehold vs. leasehold, residential vs. commercial, got swimming pool or not, etc.
That’s our understanding, anyway. But what say you? Or do you guys prefer the more fashionable term ‘bungalows in the sky‘? 
I think to most layman, Apartments do not have “high-end” facities such as swimming pool, covered car parks whereas Condominiums should have swimming pool, covered carpark and landscaping.
I think there is an Apartment, called Gembira Park launched in Kuchai Lama by Sim Nam. No swinmmig pool or covered car park. 1000 Sq feet apartment staring at about RM150K, and check this out, they do not even have a Show Room.
Suprisingly still selling very well if not already sold out.
Comment by preacher — February 9, 2006 @ 2:24 pm
quite true. anyway the term ‘apartment’ is not popular in KL these days, replaced by lots of new marketing buzzwords…
Comment by Administrator — February 11, 2006 @ 12:20 pm
… umm …i think i can answer ur question… there are 2 types of serviced apartments…
the first type is residential serviced apartments, u can buy this type of serviced apartments and the concept resembles the a condominiums with services …. there would be people coming every alternate day to clean up ur room… take ur laundry … blablabla …. basically a condominium where they provide additional service that u have to be paying for it…
The other is the hotel-serviced apartment where they have to own a hotel license before operating… but u cant buy this type of serviced apartments… u can only rent it from the operator on day to day, weekly, monthly or on yearly basis… in the hotel serviced apartments, u can have buffet breakfast… which i think in residential serviced apartments u dont get a buffet breakfast… u can probably head to the mamak stall next door and have ur breakfast…
Comment by Japanese Papaya — March 2, 2006 @ 8:39 pm
can somebody explain in malay..? sy x berapa faham.. different between condominium and apartment.. sy skrg ni dh beli nila puri condo.. is it really condo..?
Comment by ieyfa — March 19, 2006 @ 5:27 pm