Why are they building apartments and not apartments? Apartment and apartment: what is the difference, which is better, more profitable? What to choose and buy - an apartment or an apartment: the pros and cons of apartments over a regular apartment. How to distinguish apartments from apartments when purchasing? So

Residential market and commercial real estate incredibly vast. When offering housing properties, realtors often call an apartment an apartment. This term becomes a kind of symbol of success, luxury, independence and wealth. But are these concepts the same - apartment and apartment? Even the most superficial glance will determine that these are completely different things. Let's look at the difference between apartments and apartments.

Let us determine how significant these differences are and why these concepts should be clearly distinguished. What is an apartment? The following definition is generally accepted. An apartment is a type of separate real estate used both for permanent residence and for rental. It has a separate entrance and is fully adapted for normal life: there are all necessary communications, heating, water supply, sewerage. Apartments are not the same, they differ from each other in their different location in the city, area, type of structure of a residential building, its number of floors and many other parameters. But, despite all the differences, apartments make up one specific segment - residential real estate, or housing stock.

There are enough offers for the sale of apartments on the domestic real estate market: these include apartments in new buildings and secondary housing. Apartments for sale may be excellently renovated, but are usually not furnished. rent an apartment in Moscow City: what is it? Apartments equipped with modern communications, excellent furniture and located in hotel complexes, are called apartments. This is an elite type of luxury rental property used for temporary residence of wealthy guests. The main characteristics of such a facility are modern stylish design and full provision of household and technical communications. Accommodation in apartments is possible only on a temporary basis.

In other words, apartments are non-permanent housing, identical to a hotel room. And just like in a classic hotel room, an indispensable attribute of staying in it is full service at a time convenient for guests, including the full range of cleaning work, changing linen, providing parking spaces, specialized security services, beauty salons and other infrastructure facilities. This type of real estate is very popular in resort areas and metropolitan areas. Often wealthy citizens buy apartments in close proximity from work to save time. Comfortable complexes, so-called apart-hotels, are being built fairly close to the sea or the business center of the city.

Legal status of apartments In Russian legislation, the concept of “apartments” is not fixed, at the same time, the term “residential premises” is given a fairly broad definition. It is recognized as a separate premises as part of real estate, suitable for permanent residence and complying with established standards of sanitary, technical and other operational rules. The legislation provides for the following types of premises as residential premises: a house or part thereof, an apartment or a share in it, a room. The term “apartment” does not refer to the “residential real estate” segment. In other words, to the question about apartments: what is it, you can answer that it is residential premises in a non-residential building. Differences between an apartment and an apartment So, apartments are not related to the housing stock, so they can be created in buildings of any type, for example, office buildings. To be assigned the “apartment” status, belonging to the housing stock is required. In addition, there are differences between these concepts in other planes: according to the requirements of the State Standard, the area of ​​the apartment should not be less than 40 m2, and the number of rooms should be 2 or more; the presence of a bathroom and a kitchen is considered mandatory; Such requirements are not imposed on an apartment, which may have only one room with a much smaller area. Let's take a closer look at each difference between an apartment and an apartment.

The share of apartments in the primary market of Moscow is still growing: if in 2012 it accounted for only 14% of the total supply, then in the third quarter of 2016 it reached 24.5%. At the same time, the minimum budget for purchasing apartments within old Moscow during the same period decreased from 4.6 million rubles to an unprecedented 2.3 million rubles for the capital, which spurred the interest of clients in the mass segment and radically changed the buyer’s image. However, there is still a lot of speculation surrounding the apartments, exaggerating their disadvantages. Experts from the Metrium Group company conducted a detailed analysis of all the differences between apartments and apartments and refuted most of the stereotypes regarding this type of housing from the buyer’s point of view.

During a recession, most home buyers prioritize their purchasing budget. The reduction in supply prices in all market segments has increased the attractiveness primarily of apartments, which have always been cheaper than apartments. The price benefit of purchasing apartments is due to a number of their differences from apartments.

“The differences between apartments and apartments can be divided into three groups,” says Maria Litinetskaya, managing partner of Metrium Group. - The first of them is the legal differences that are associated with non-residential legal status apartments The second is economic, namely the difference in the market and cadastral value of such objects, as well as the features of paying for utilities and taxes. Finally, the third group - technical - combines the differences in requirements for the design and construction of apartments. A superficial comparison may seem to suggest that most of the differences are not in favor of the apartments, but a detailed analysis shows the opposite.”

1. Legal differences

1.1 Legal status

From the point of view of the Housing Code, an apartment is a residential, isolated premises, which is real estate and is suitable for permanent residence of citizens (meets established sanitary and technical rules and regulations, and other legal requirements). 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. The concept of “apartment” is mentioned only in the classification of hotel rooms given by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. According to this typology, an apartment is a room with an area of ​​at least 40 square meters. m., consisting of two or more rooms (living room, dining room, bedroom) with a kitchenette. However, in practice, developers are not guided by this definition, even if the apartment complex under construction has a hotel purpose.

1.2 Registration

Permanent registration can only be obtained in residential premises - apartment, room, house. Permanent registration in Moscow gives the following rights:

1. Increase in pension. In Moscow, pensioners are entitled to a regional social benefit, but it is given only to those who have lived in Moscow for at least 10 years.

2. Travel benefits for pensioners and minors in public transport, as well as using a landline telephone.

3. Placement of a child in kindergarten, school and others educational establishments at the place of registration.

4. Subsidizing utility bills.

Since the apartments are classified as non-residential premises, permanent registration at the place of residence cannot be obtained in them. However, if the apartment complex has hotel status, then the owner of the apartment can obtain temporary registration for 5 years. Temporary registration gives practically the same rights as the owner of an apartment with permanent registration. However, when enrolling a child in a school not assigned to a place of residence, his application is considered after applications from residents of houses assigned to the school and having permanent registration. Otherwise, there are no fundamental differences between temporary and permanent registrations.

If registration is impossible, the apartment owner loses little. These are increases and benefits that still apply only to vulnerable segments of the population, as well as the right to vote in elections.

1.3 Rights of owners to common property

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 manage common spaces. For example, they can prevent unwanted use of basements, roofs, attics and other spaces.

Apartment owners do not have the right of shared ownership of common property in the apartment complex (staircases, stairs, halls, elevators, elevator and other shafts, corridors, technical floors, attics, basements in which there are utilities, other services serving more than one premises in a given building equipment (technical basements), roofs, enclosing load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures of this building, mechanical, electrical, sanitary and other equipment). For example, if the owners of the apartments decide to make a joint fenced vestibule on the landing, they will have to buy or rent this area from the owner, who is usually the seller of the apartment or the management company. However, you need to understand that the management company lives off payments from apartment owners and it is not beneficial for it to spoil relations with them.

1.4 Foreclosure against owners

When a homeowner becomes a debtor and the court orders the confiscation of his property in favor of creditors, the bailiffs cannot evict him from the apartment if it is his only place of residence. The exception is housing purchased with a mortgage.

Since the apartments are non-residential premises, their owner may be evicted in the event of foreclosure. However, it is worth noting that the buyer of an apartment with a mortgage may also lose their home.

2. Economic differences

2.1 Prices

Condos are more expensive than apartments because the developer of a residential apartment building initially incurs higher costs associated with obtaining all the necessary permits.

The difference in the cost of apartments and apartments reaches 30% on average, depending on the project. This is due to the fact that the developer incurs lower construction costs and can afford to offer the property at reduced prices without sacrificing profits.

2.2 Taxes

Property tax

Property tax for apartment owners is calculated based on the cadastral value. The area of ​​the apartment is multiplied by the cadastral value per square meter, and then by the tax rate. The property tax rate for residential premises is set in each region by decision of local authorities. In Moscow it is 0.1%.

Apartment owners must also pay property tax, which, as in the case of apartments, is calculated based on the cadastral value of the property. However, there are two fundamental differences in the taxation of apartments. Firstly, the cadastral value of such projects is approximately 1.5 times lower, and secondly, the property tax rate for them is higher. The rate ranges from 0.5% to 2%. In October 2016, the Moscow City Duma adopted changes to the Law on the property tax of individuals in Moscow. Now the minimum rate for all types of this type of real estate is set at 0.5%, but only for apartments up to 300 square meters. m. and with a cadastral value not exceeding 300 million rubles. For properties that exceed the established size and price limits, the property tax rate remains at 2%.

Tax deductions and benefits

When calculating property tax on an apartment, a tax-free deduction is provided for the value of one residential property: 10 sq. m - for rooms, 20 sq. m - for an apartment and 50 sq. m - for home. That is, the tax base will be equal to the area of ​​the apartment minus 20 square meters. m. In addition, the law provides benefits for 15 categories of citizens who are exempt from taxation.

Also, when buying and selling an apartment, the owner has the right to receive tax deduction on previously paid personal income tax (NDFL). In the case of purchasing a home, the maximum return amount reaches 2-3 million rubles, and when selling - 1 million rubles.

Tax deductions and benefits do not apply to apartments as to non-residential premises. That is, the apartment owner not only cannot reduce the tax base (by 20 sq. m.), but also return part of the personal income tax paid when purchasing apartments.

Land tax

Until 2015, apartment owners were required to pay a tax on land owned jointly by residents of an apartment building. However, this payment was included in the property tax. Since 2015, these fees have been divided into two separate taxes: apartment and land.

Apartment owners, like owners of other premises in any building, also have the right to a share land plot on which this building is located. In this regard, they are required to pay land tax. Land tax is paid based on the cadastral value of the plot corresponding to the area of ​​the apartment. In Moscow, this rate is 1.5%.

2.3 Utilities

The amount of payment for utility services is calculated according to the tariffs for consumers established by the supplier of water, electricity and heat. The level of these tariffs is determined by the authorities in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation on price regulation.

As a rule, utility bills for apartments have a higher coefficient compared to apartment rates. Tariffs for water supply are higher by 12%, for sewerage - 8%, for heat - 25%, for electricity - 36% (based on the average tariff of 2.5 rubles / kWh). The exact cost of utilities depends on the tariffs established for non-residential premises in accordance with the agreements concluded by the management company and the utility supplier.

3. Technical differences

3.1 Building codes

The construction of residential buildings is carried out in strict accordance with construction and sanitary standards and regulations (lighting, sound insulation, insolation, etc.).

The technical requirements for the construction of apartments are lower than the requirements for the construction of residential buildings. In particular, apartments are not subject to insolation requirements, and the standards for ventilation, sound insulation, and fire protection are lower than those required for residential premises.

3.2 Social infrastructure

The developer is obliged to build social infrastructure facilities (kindergartens, schools, clinics, etc.) in the residential development zone in proportion to the number of new residents of the area. The construction of an apartment complex does not oblige the developer to build social infrastructure facilities for its residents.

3.3 Access roads

The responsibility of the developer of residential areas includes improvement of the surrounding areas, as well as the construction of access roads to the residential complex. The apartment developer is not required to build access roads.

Summary

“Thus, the most important economic differences between apartments that really directly affect the buyer’s “wallet” are the differences in tax and utility payments,” sums up Maria Litinetskaya. - However, basic calculations prove that the difference in the cost of apartments and apartments covers the increased costs of utilities and taxes for decades to come. You also need to take into account transportation costs, because today the most budgetary housing offers within the Moscow Ring Road relate only to apartments. Apartments at a similar price will be located outside the Moscow Ring Road, in the near Moscow region.

Legal differences are also not that important to the average client. Buyers of apartments and apartments are equally protected by 214-FZ from double sales and missed delivery deadlines. In the event of a rupture of the DDU, they have the same rights to receive compensation and penalties, and in the event of bankruptcy of the developer, they are included in the third line of creditors for the return of invested funds.

As for the technical differences, the formal absence of an obligation on the part of the apartment developer to comply with building codes, build social facilities, and lay access roads is, in practice, unprofitable for the developers themselves. In conditions of fierce competition for buyers, most apartments are not inferior to ordinary apartment buildings either in the quality of construction or in the availability of infrastructure.

As a result, if a person manages to find the optimal combination of three characteristics - price, location, interesting concept - in any apartment complex, then in essence it will not be so important for him that this is formally non-residential premises. The main thing for the buyer is to improve specific living conditions, namely, to move to new house or a more convenient location."

Recently, on the residential real estate market you can find quite a large number of offers for the sale of apartments. The question arises: how does this object differ from an ordinary apartment? And what is more profitable to buy in this or that case.

Apartment or apartment: the choice is yours

There are quite a lot of differences between apartments and apartments. Even by superficially comparing these two objects with each other, one can understand that these are completely different things. Realtors believe that for people who are rarely at home, apartments are an excellent alternative to an apartment. But initially you should weigh all the pros and cons, evaluate the benefits and risks, so as not to make a mistake. Often you can save a lot of money on a purchase, but you should understand what this entails.

What is an apartment: basic provisions

This is a separate residential property that can be used both for your own residence there and for renting out. Such housing has a separate entrance, as well as all communications necessary for a comfortable stay. Moreover, apartments may differ from each other in area, location, number of floors, and so on according to the list. Finding a suitable property is not difficult; there are many of them in both the primary and secondary markets. Such real estate can be sold with finished renovation, rough or fine finishing, with or without furniture.

The cost of apartments in new buildings today: one-room apartment - from 6.5 million, two-room apartment - from 9.7 million, three-room apartment - from 18 million, 4+ - from 37 million rubles. Accordingly, a square meter costs about 159, 150, 184, 289 thousand rubles. This is the average market price; you can always find a cheaper option when developers offer discounts, and a more expensive option in luxury new buildings.

On the secondary market, a one-room apartment costs from 7.8 million, a two-room apartment – ​​from 13.2 million, a three-room apartment – ​​from 27.4 million, a four-room apartment – ​​from 93.2 million rubles. These are 206, 244, 329 and 632 thousand rubles per square meter, respectively. The price depends on the layout, condition, location.

What are apartments: the obvious difference

This is an object in which you can live freely, but at the legal level the premises are not considered residential real estate. The apartments are located in former office or industrial buildings that were converted specifically for housing, buildings that could not be built as residential buildings, while they are legally non-residential. Apartments are also converted into apartments in cases where the developer was unable to obtain permission to build a residential building.

“Often, premises located in hotel complexes are also offered. At the same time, the objects are equipped with communications, and the inside is partially or fully furnished. As for repairs, most often it will be designer. The apartments are classified as luxury real estate; it is believed that wealthy people who come to Moscow on business occasionally live there. In other words, it's well equipped hotel room, where you can always stay. Most often there are one- and two-room apartments, as well as “studios”, where the room is combined with a kitchen,” says Alexey Shmonov, general director of the real estate portal Move.su.

When investing in such real estate, you should always take into account the cost, taxes and utilities. The price for an apartment can be 15-20 percent lower than for an apartment. But, of course, you should take into account the square footage, location, etc. nuances.

Many buyers believe that apartments have more disadvantages than advantages. After all, you cannot register there; as a result, you lack many of the rights that registration gives you. Secondly, an office may be installed nearby if it is a business center, or unknown individuals may live nearby when it comes to a hotel. You will not be able to call the police or simply make a verbal remark, since you will not have any right to do so.

Another disadvantage that developers “forget” to talk about is the lack of mandatory standards for the construction of such objects. For example, problems may arise with wiring, lack of light due to small windows, noise due to thin walls, etc.

What is the difference between an apartment and an apartment?

In addition to location (in residential and non-residential buildings) and legal status, there are other differences between the two objects. Thus, the area of ​​the apartment should not be less than forty square meters. The presence of a bathroom and a kitchen is mandatory in both cases. But the area of ​​the apartment can be much smaller than the 40-square-meter apartment.

As mentioned above, the cost of apartments is lower, but utilities are much more expensive, since they are calculated not for an individual, but for a legal entity or commercial real estate. For example, in the first case you will have to pay 25% more for heating, and 15% more for water. At the same time, apartment owners will not be able to take advantage of subsidies and benefits.

“We should also not forget about the property tax, which increases from 0.1% of the cadastral value (for apartments up to 10 million rubles) to 0.5%. And that's the best case scenario. There is a category of apartments, the tax rate of which reaches up to 2%, regardless of the cost of the property,” shares Alexey Shmonov, CEO of the real estate portal Move.su.

What is more profitable: apartment or apartment

So, let's imagine that we have 10 million rubles that we are ready to spend on purchasing real estate. Considering that the apartments will be 20% cheaper, then, accordingly, the apartment will cost 10 million, and the apartments – 8. In the second case, we put the remaining amount from the purchase on a deposit at 10% for 20 years. We make a profit during this time of about 10 million rubles. Over the course of twenty years, we spend, respectively, 1.4 and 1.8 million rubles on utilities, and 200 thousand and one million on taxes. After 20 years, we do not receive any assets for the apartment; for the apartments – 7.9 million rubles.

As a result, in the long term, apartments are more profitable. But we are talking about objects whose cost is at least 8% lower than an apartment. Otherwise, saving on buying real estate is not worth it.

Disadvantages of apartments: what you should think about before buying

As already mentioned, you cannot register in the apartment, you can only obtain temporary registration, which is given for up to five years. You will be able to receive the required monthly child benefit, send your children to school (but places will be provided only after admission to those officially registered), and be assigned to a clinic. And you won’t be able to count on social benefits or benefits. You will also not be able to join the labor exchange or queue for housing.

We are not used to separating the concepts of “apartment” and “apartment”. We believe that the apartment is simply a very advanced, luxurious and modern apartment.

This is far from true. In the language of realtors around the world, apartments are not really housing at all. More precisely, the housing is temporary, comfortable, but standard-uncomfortable, close to a hotel room.

So, what is the difference between an apartment and an apartment?

Part one. Russia

Difference No. 1. In the apartments they do not register

From a legal point of view, this is not housing at all. Documents for the purchase of apartments do not give the right to registration at the place of residence. Even with temporary registration, not everything is simple: it is only possible if the building in which the apartments are located is a hotel or aparthotel.

Difference #2: Social Infrastructure

no one is obliging to build schools, kindergartens, clinics and other social facilities in the vicinity, without which the neighborhood really remains purely a residential area.

Realtors reassure potential clients by saying that apartment complexes usually appear in areas where the infrastructure has long been established. Perhaps, while the pace and volume of development is insignificant, the city is able to dissolve “extra” housing within itself. But Moscow, for example, will soon be unable to do this. In a multifunctional residential complex“Vodny” now sells more than five thousand apartments, in the “Tsaritsino-2” apartment complex – almost a thousand...

Difference No. 3. Apartments are inferior in price to apartments

Here is the first positive difference: apartments are cheaper. It is precisely because of the developer’s lack of social obligations. However, the metropolitan administration is preparing to adopt building standards that will force companies constructing apartments to take care of social services.

Obviously, the introduction of such standards will eliminate the difference in price. For now, the most exhaustively clear answer to the question of how apartments differ from apartments sounds like this: cost. Prices per square meter for comfort class vary by about 10 percent, business class - by 15.

Within “old Moscow”, comfort-class apartments are valued at an average of 123.5 thousand rubles per square meter, similar apartments at 146 thousand. The leaders in terms of minimum price are apartments in “Tsaritsino-2” (113.8 thousand rubles per 1 square meter), in “Flotilla” (125.7 thousand rubles) and in “Vodny” (129.4 thousand).

A square meter of apartments in St. Petersburg () costs approximately 135 thousand rubles.

Difference No. 4. But the rent in apartments is higher

It is believed that prices for housing and communal services in apartments are 18 percent more expensive than in apartments (VAT rate). In fact, tariffs for cold water and sewerage are higher than usual by 9.3 percent, for hot water - by 21.5 percent, and for heating - by 22 percent.

Moreover, in the case when the engineering communications of the apartments are connected to city networks not directly, but through intermediaries, the payment becomes even higher.

Difference #5: And no subsidies!

At the same time, apartment owners who have a monthly income below the standard are deprived of the right to use subsidies for utility bills. Apartment owners are simply not mentioned in the Housing Code! Another disadvantage is the usual one, but with apartments this is usually impossible. Banks do not accredit such objects. You can only count on.

But for the next two to three decades this problem is not relevant, given the more low prices for apartments versus apartments.

Difference No. 6. The tax rate on apartments may increase

In the near future, legislators promise to increase the marginal rate on non-residential real estate to 0.5 percent of the cadastral value (versus 0.1 percent for residential premises).

However, even if such a change in federal legislation is adopted, apartment owners will not necessarily pay five times more. Regional authorities have the right to reduce the maximum tax rate.

Difference No. 7. Difficulties with the common property of a house with apartments

The Housing Code obliges apartment owners in a high-rise building to share basements, attics and other technical rooms of the building with their neighbors in equal shares. The document says nothing about apartments.

In practice, this results in big financial problems for owners. Since the buyer purchases only square meters of the apartments themselves, the development company remains the owner of the rest of the building and utility networks. It would not be much of a stretch to assume that the company will certainly impose the services of its management company on homeowners, and the latter will try to inflate the tariffs for public utilities as much as possible.

Difference No. 8. Apartment owners cannot create an HOA

Since the building is not legally classified as residential, those living in it are deprived of the right to create homeowners' associations.

However, other forms of self-government organization are also possible! Let's say you can conclude a simple partnership agreement. Or establish a non-profit partnership.

Difference No. 9. In apartments you do not need to seek permission to redevelop the premises

The sword, as you know, has two edges. The fact that apartments are not officially recognized as housing also has a positive side for their owners. It is only residential premises that are allowed to be redesigned after a long and persistent journey through the authorities. Apartment owners can do whatever they want with their space. Within the limits of the Town Planning Code, of course, which prescribes making only those changes that will not affect the structural characteristics of the building and will not threaten its safety.

Part two. Europe

So far we have been talking about the realities of our country. What about abroad? For example, what is the difference between an apartment and an apartment in Spain, where the eyes and money of Russian investors are increasingly directing their attention lately?

Spain: the main difference is the presence of a fenced local area

There are four main types of real estate in Spain:

• Studios that have recently gained popularity in Russia. These are small budget apartments without partitions, where the only room is combined with the kitchen (only the bathroom has separate walls). Russians buy “studios” mainly for vacation holidays, and the rest of the time they rent them out to tourists. The cost ranges from 20 to 60 thousand euros; You can rent from 150 euros per week.
• An atiko, or penthouse, is an apartment on the top floor of a building, usually with a rooftop solarium and sea views. Also more of a resort option, but much more expensive - it costs 200 thousand euros or more.
• Apartments. They are not fundamentally different from ours. Much more modest and cheaper than penthouses. Even in resort places can be bought for 50 - 60 thousand euros.
• Finally, the apartments. The main difference with apartments is that the residential complex has its own fenced area with a green area common to all residents of the house (that is, lawns, lawns, trees), a children's and/or sports ground, parking, a recreation area and a swimming pool.

Payment of utilities for apartments is slightly higher than for an apartment. But the amount for maintaining a collective territory is not so high - approximately 200 - 700 euros (not per month, but per year!). For comparison: fixed monthly utility costs vary, depending on many factors, from 60 to 120 euros.

You can rent apartments near the sea coast starting from 250 euros per week. Purchase prices are comparable to the cost of an apartment and also depend on many quality characteristics of the property. For example, an apartment right by the sea can cost almost a third more than similar apartments a ten-minute walk from the beach.

In general, during the crisis, prices for residential real estate in Spain decreased by 25–40 percent. In addition, mortgages are much more accessible than in Russia. To purchase, in addition to money, a foreign passport is enough. The transaction is formalized by a notary, after which the acquirer is immediately declared the owner. And in September 2013, the country adopted a law according to which any foreign citizen, having purchased real estate for an amount of at least 500 thousand euros, has the right to obtain a residence permit.

However, the new law only simplifies this procedure somewhat. However, you can still register it after purchasing even an inexpensive studio or simply renting any real estate. True, there is a requirement for the permanent income of an applicant for a residence permit.

Bulgaria: the situation is similar

Another European “resort” country that our compatriots are actively exploring for the purchase of residential property. What is the difference between an apartment and an apartment in Bulgaria?

Bulgarian apartments are a minimum of a two-room apartment with all amenities, compact furniture and built-in household appliances. The apartments, fully prepared for the entry of the tenant or owner, are located in a residential hotel complex (apart-hotel), usually built closer to the sea, and offer the following services:

• specialized security,
• reception,
• parking,
• spa center and beauty salon,
• gym, fitness center, swimming pool,
• children's playground and recreation area.

Among the apartments offered for sale you can find modest studios, large premises with two or even three bedrooms, as well as apartments on several levels.

In addition to the range of services that bring apartments closer to a hotel, they differ from apartments in the presence of furniture and equipment. All together causes more high price for apartments: an apartment in Bulgaria can be purchased for 500 euros per square meter; the cost of the type of housing in question is 800–1500 euros per square meter.

As you can see, apartments in Russia and in European resorts, as they say, are two big differences. And in terms of comfort, and in terms of prices, and in terms of the cost ratio relative to apartments. Moscow has “outdone” both Bulgaria and even Spain. I wish I could reach the latest level of living standards!..

Most ordinary citizens, when they hear the word “apartment,” imagine... However, Russian legislation interprets this term completely differently and classifies this type of real estate as non-residential. Therefore, everyone who has decided to buy a home should know what an apartment and an apartment are, what is the difference between these types of premises, the nuances of legal registration and residence.

Read in the article

Apartments - what does it mean?

Appart comes from the French word meaning “private large room.” In Europe, this refers to a premises of one or more rooms for sale or rent. In principle, an apartment is an apartment with an area of ​​40 m2 with two or more luxury rooms for living. They are typical for sanatoriums, boarding houses, hotels, motels, hotels, etc. Some may wonder what are apartments in a residential building? They do not exist in ordinary multi-apartment buildings, since in Russia apartments are not included in the housing stock, living in them is possible only on a temporary basis.

Pros and cons of apartments

As a rule, many people, when deciding to buy real estate, are faced with a choice of what kind of housing to buy -, etc. And such a concept as apartments complicates this procedure. To make the task easier, let's consider the following question: what are the advantages and disadvantages of buying this type of real estate? Let’s also look at: are apartments residential or non-residential premises?

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

As already mentioned, apartments are not real estate intended for permanent residence, since they are classified as non-residential premises. Even when the owner has all the documents for ownership, he will not be able to obtain registration at his place of residence. And this is the main difference from ordinary housing that the buyer needs to know about. But what is the legal difference between apartments and apartments?

How do apartments differ from a regular apartment in terms of registration?

On this moment It is impossible to obtain registration in the apartments, since they do not belong to the housing stock. However, the owner can apply for a temporary registration for a period of five years (must be continuously renewed), which gives the same rights as a permanent one. This is valid for apartments both in office centers and in hotel complexes. This provision applies to both business office centers and hotel-type complexes. Currently, at the legislative level, the question is being raised about the possibility of assigning apartments the status of residential premises and allowing permanent residence in them.

What are apartments in new buildings: requirements for the developer

The construction of apartment buildings is allowed only on plots not intended for residential buildings. For example, if it is strictly prohibited to build residential buildings in the immediate vicinity of a highway, then this will be a special obstacle for the construction of an apartment complex. It is also allowed to build apartment buildings on public and commercial land plots, as well as in former industrial zones.

When constructing buildings with apartments, the developer is not obliged to guarantee the availability of developed infrastructure. When selling such real estate, few companies are willing to act in accordance with Federal Law No. 214 “On Equity Participation,” which, in principle, does not guarantee investors full protection. This means that purchasing apartments in a new building is a riskier transaction than investing in the construction of a residential building.

Apartment or apartment: which is better in terms of paying for utilities?

For most people, buying an apartment is more profitable than an apartment, only from the point of view. This is due to the fact that the cost of their delivery to the consumer in such premises includes value added tax. In most cases, the difference in rent between apartments and apartments is 35% in favor of the latter. Therefore, the benefits of purchasing real estate in apartment buildings must be considered in the long term.

Why are apartments dangerous for receiving subsidies and benefits?

When deciding to purchase an apartment, you need to know one more important point. Owners of non-residential real estate cannot count on receiving, unlike owners of ordinary apartments. The level of income does not have any influence on this decision, since the housing code of the Russian Federation does not mention the category of apartment owners at all.

Differences between apartment and apartment taxes

The affordability of prices and convenient location of the apartments make them attractive for purchase. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Despite their apparent similarity to ordinary housing, apartments are not residential premises with all the ensuing consequences. Therefore, a real estate buyer should know the difference between an apartment and an apartment in terms of taxes.

The amount of taxes on apartments is much higher than on ordinary apartments of the same area and consists of:

• the tax rate on non-residential premises is 0.5-2% of the cadastral value, while for ordinary housing this figure is 0.1%;
• cadastral value of non-residential premises, which, as a rule, is lower, but not more than twice, than apartments of similar value, which, however, does not fully compensate for the difference in rates;
• deductions for tax on apartments or houses (20 m for each owner and 50 m for pensioners - not subject to taxation), which do not apply to real estate from the non-residential fund.

From all of the above, it follows that for apartments you need to pay a higher property tax, almost equal to that assigned to the owners of office premises. However, in the future, if legally similar real estate is transferred to housing stock, then taxes will be the same as for owners of apartments and private houses.

Apartment or apartment: which is better and how the owners share common property

According to Russian housing legislation, property owners in apartment buildings also receive rights to a share in common property and technical premises. In the case of purchasing an apartment, the owner receives ownership only of the premises in which he lives and cannot claim a share in the common property in the building.

Is it possible to create an HOA for apartment owners?

Only the general meeting of condominiums can appoint or remove a management company, and apartment owners can create a homeowners association (HOA), which will allow for more efficient management residential building. Owners of apartments cannot create an HOA, but they can unite into simple partnerships and form non-profit partnerships.

Differences in obtaining permits for redevelopment

It will be required, and not all activities may be permitted. For example, you cannot move a toilet or bathtub to a living area. While there are no obstacles to completely re-equipping the apartments, and no permits are required. However, as in the case of apartments, the apartments have load-bearing walls, and all existing openings in them must be reinforced with metal structures.

Can apartments be converted into housing stock?

Many people purchasing this type real estate, hope in the future to convert it into housing stock with all the ensuing benefits. But is this possible? Yes, translation is possible, but you will have to face some difficulties. Usually there are no obstacles to this, unless the apartment was originally designed as a workshop or office.

The main condition for transferring to housing is that the premises have direct access to sunlight for at least two hours a day. Apartments must also comply with SanPin requirements for residential premises. To transfer to housing stock, you will need to collect and submit the following documents:

• relevant application for transfer;
• technical documentation for the premises;
• floor plans of the building;
• redevelopment project, if any;
• consent of neighbors;
• payment of state duty.

Why are apartments cheaper than apartments?

The lower cost of apartments, compared to ordinary housing, is due to several factors that directly affect the price of real estate. First, developers of apartment buildings and complexes incur lower permitting costs. Secondly, such projects usually do not have the same infrastructure requirements as in the case of residential real estate. And thirdly, thanks to existing lighting standards, the developer can provide large quantity premises, which will significantly increase the probable profit.

How are apartments different from studios?

There is a large selection of different types of real estate on the modern market, and, continuing to consider this topic, it is worth mentioning their difference from apartments, townhouses, etc. Many people are interested in what is the difference between a studio and an apartment? In essence, this is a room in which there are practically no partitions and only the bathroom is completely isolated. Like the apartment, the studio has an open plan, is also suitable for families without children and costs approximately 30% less than traditional multi-room housing. The only difference is that the apartments are not included in the housing stock.

How is a living space different from an apartment?

In the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, Article 16 “Types of residential premises” it is stated that these include residential buildings, their parts, apartments and rooms. Article 15 explains this term in detail as an isolated property suitable for comfortable living. Also, this premises must comply with the requirements of SNiP and housing legislation. Therefore, answering the question, what is the difference in the status of a residential premises and an apartment, we can say one thing - practically none.

Is it worth buying an apartment, from an expert’s point of view?

Purchasing an apartment is a good option for solving the housing problem on a limited budget. But buying this property can only be profitable in the following cases:

• there is already an apartment in which you can register;
• it is planned to rent out the premises;
• for combining home and office;
• limited budget for purchasing housing.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment?

In Europe, the practice of renting out apartments is widely developed. Gradually, it began to take root in Russia and brings quite legally good income in the form of 10% of the initial investment. To build a business for renting out premises, it is recommended to buy several apartments that are located in the same building and create a mini-hotel with comfortable living conditions.

One-room apartments can be rented monthly. At a rental cost of 35,000-40,000 rubles per month, excluding utilities, which will be paid by the tenant, you can fully return the money spent on their purchase within 10 years.

A few words in conclusion

We looked at what apartments are, their pros and cons, what is the difference between residential premises and an apartment, the nuances of design and the benefits of purchasing such real estate. As we see, this great option for those who have limited funds, especially since there is a high probability of transferring them to housing stock and receiving all the ensuing benefits. We hope this article will help you when you decide to purchase real estate for yourself.