Am I alone in thinking maisonettes are better than flats?

[WombatChocolate]

So, was planning to buy a flat....to live in and possibly let out in a few years. Looked at a few in purpose build blocks and conversions in old houses. Some good, some grotty. All however seemed to have downsides of pretty high service charges related to maintenance and communal areas, plus the risk of having neighbours or management companies who might not keep the communal areas well.

Then I saw a maisonette - for those unfamiliar with the term - a flat with its own private entrance. This particular one was in a building which looks like a detached house, built in 1990s but in Victorian style like houses in road, containing 2 maisonettes - 1 on ground floor with front door at side ;the one for sale) and one on 1st and 2nd floor. Both have a parking space out front and a small private garden at back. Price similar to flats nearby.

The maisonette seems to have huge advantages - private entrance and no communal areas - so no risk of untidy neighbours or dirty or unkempt communal areas letting it down. No service charges - a big saving - so whilst both maisonettes pay freeholder for buildings insurance, they work out maintenance between them - and looking at records, it has been zero many years and a couple/few hundred at max on the odd year....far less than the maintenance charges of flats, plus in the control of the 2 owners. And then the positive of private gardens even if small.

Strikes me that your usual young buyers might like to buy or rent such a property but it also might have more appeal to a small family or older couple than a flat due to private entrance and garden.

So am I alone in wondering why we don’t hear more about maisonettes? They don’t seem more expensive, have separate kitchens which most new build flats don’t seem to have, the private entrance and garden and no hefty management charge.

Why aren’t they significantly more expensive and popular than your standard flat? Am I missing something?

Thanks!

I think it depends on the flat/maisonette although generally I find flats in blocks to be a safer investment as there is less risk when it comes to other neighbours not contributing to maintenance/major works etc and this should all be dealt with by the managing agent in the majority of cases.

OP This is an all-important point. Living in close proximity with just one other neighbour to agree problems and maintenance can be very difficult indeed. Although some managing agents are unreliable a decent one will sort the problems out without having to involve you directly.

I live in a first floor 60s built maisonette and it’s great! I have a balcony and loft access, which is about 9ft head height, and some of my neighbours have converted these in to huge third bedrooms/second reception room. Lovely big square rooms, both bedrooms are good doubles, and a separate kitchen as you say. There really is something to be said for purpose built as opposed to a conversion (I’ve lived in both). We have communal gardens as well as balconies, so plenty of outdoor space.

Our deal is this: there are 40 maisonettes in our close, and we all have a share of the freehold, which means we own both the lease individually, and also the freehold as part of a group with our neighbours. It’s not quite as good as having sole freehold, but it does mean you’re not at the mercy of some faceless freeholder who suddenly decides to jack up the ground rent or similar crap. Also it means that you are in charge of your own property fully, so within reason you can do any works you want on the property, or rent it out with no repercussions.

We all pay £700 a year for service charge to the board (elected chairman and committee every year made up of volunteer neighbours), which covers all building insurance and all maintenance of communal areas, including landscape gardening and most building works (eg peripheral wall re-building last year). It’s not actually a bad deal at all as my buildings insurance at my old conversion flat was £600 a year, so for an extra £100 I’m getting the external aesthetic maintenance and some building stuff too. Our gardens and surrounds look really beautiful, which certainly adds to the value, and properties in our close get bought up pretty quickly, even in these dodgy times!

I love my maisonette, so much better to only have a neighbour below me as well, rather than one on every side like a block of flats!

As a landlady, my favourite flat from maintenance/management point of view is one that's a share of freehold managed by a good agency. The development is 3 blocks with about 10-12 flats in each. There's a healthy sinking fund and a programme of maintenance. At an annual meeting, the owners discuss what they would like to get done and take a vote. That has even meant actual upgrades to make the place nicer.

Having to liaise with 1 other could be fab but it could also be the worst nightmare. Big ticket items like roof replacement can cost 20k+. Without a sinking fund, not everyone is able of willing to pay up. You'd probably need to go down the tribunal route to get the money while the building keeps on deteriorating.