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Thread: Apartment vs Condominium

  1. #1
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    Default Apartment vs Condominium

    Can I have a sily questions? Is there any difference between "Apartment" and "Condominium"? At URA website, Frangrance Court is classified as "Apartment" while Le Hill is classified as "Condominium".

    Thanks,
    Richard

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    Quote Originally Posted by richwang
    Can I have a sily questions? Is there any difference between "Apartment" and "Condominium"? At URA website, Frangrance Court is classified as "Apartment" while Le Hill is classified as "Condominium".

    Thanks,
    Richard
    my understanding is :

    condo will have swimming pool + court ( tennis or squash)

    apt only have swimming pool

    in short Apt does not have full facilities

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    They have different setback requirement from boundaries for a given height. Apartment is less. Condo requires more setback.

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    So in another words, stricter criteria for "Condo" status (compared to "Apartment") -> "Condo" must be better than "Apartment" lah (if you are choosing the 2 side by side and the price difference is not much)!

    Quote Originally Posted by isaaclim
    They have different setback requirement from boundaries for a given height. Apartment is less. Condo requires more setback.

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    1. Any land size 45,000sqf and below residential property cannot be classifiy as Condominium.

    2. Any condominium must have 6th storey and above.

    3. Residential vs Recreational ratio on land must fulfill certain criteria.

    4. Unit to Land ratio must also fulfill certain criteria.

    5. Certain facilities is a must.

    6. Lastly, any residential property attach to a shopping centre like compass height, centris, ion cannot be classify as condo regardless of the above mentioned fullfillment.

    So sometime, you could have EVERYTHING a condo have yet be classify as apartment. I'm not going in depth on how it affect valuation unless you want further info.

    it also depend on land size/units ratio at which band. In addition, the common space/recreation area to residential area ratio. this you have to refer to building plan.

    In the past, apartment are associate with lucky plaza apartment, IP or beautyworld, etc. Then when more Geylang/Joo Chiat apartments spurn out across, it give apartment a bad taste.

    Recently, ppl enbloc 2 or 3 landed properties and pay development charge with plot ratio increase for small development, they are hamper by the 45000 sqft ruling but many of them put out those 30 units plus with lavish advertisment like for "the esteem ones" and thus package a bit well. Then when Ion and Centris shopping centre living come to picture, it change the mentality of ppl. (Ion refer to the orchard residence"

    So back to your question, putting aside condo status, different apartment warrant diff evaluation. The key is, it depend on WHY is it classify as Apartment in the 1st place.

    Example, between 2 similar developments, if a condo cat is the same price as a apartment cat, get condo. But if the apartment cat is due to ratio criteria and it near a mrt station/amenities, you may consider the apartment.




    Quote Originally Posted by richwang
    Can I have a sily questions? Is there any difference between "Apartment" and "Condominium"? At URA website, Frangrance Court is classified as "Apartment" while Le Hill is classified as "Condominium".

    Thanks,
    Richard

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    Thanks for your explanation, a few questions/clarifications:

    Does your pt 2 (6 storeys) apply to those developements in landed areas with height restrictions (eg the Greenwich).

    and

    How do we find out why is it classified as an apartment in the first place

    thanks in advance..

    Quote Originally Posted by apple3
    1. Any land size 45,000sqf and below residential property cannot be classifiy as Condominium.

    2. Any condominium must have 6th storey and above.

    3. Residential vs Recreational ratio on land must fulfill certain criteria.

    4. Unit to Land ratio must also fulfill certain criteria.

    5. Certain facilities is a must.

    6. Lastly, any residential property attach to a shopping centre like compass height, centris, ion cannot be classify as condo regardless of the above mentioned fullfillment.

    So sometime, you could have EVERYTHING a condo have yet be classify as apartment. I'm not going in depth on how it affect valuation unless you want further info.

    it also depend on land size/units ratio at which band. In addition, the common space/recreation area to residential area ratio. this you have to refer to building plan.

    In the past, apartment are associate with lucky plaza apartment, IP or beautyworld, etc. Then when more Geylang/Joo Chiat apartments spurn out across, it give apartment a bad taste.

    Recently, ppl enbloc 2 or 3 landed properties and pay development charge with plot ratio increase for small development, they are hamper by the 45000 sqft ruling but many of them put out those 30 units plus with lavish advertisment like for "the esteem ones" and thus package a bit well. Then when Ion and Centris shopping centre living come to picture, it change the mentality of ppl. (Ion refer to the orchard residence"

    So back to your question, putting aside condo status, different apartment warrant diff evaluation. The key is, it depend on WHY is it classify as Apartment in the 1st place.

    Example, between 2 similar developments, if a condo cat is the same price as a apartment cat, get condo. But if the apartment cat is due to ratio criteria and it near a mrt station/amenities, you may consider the apartment.

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    Ya just found out that The Scala is Apartment status.

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    Quote Originally Posted by apple3
    1. Any land size 45,000sqf and below residential property cannot be classifiy as Condominium.

    2. Any condominium must have 6th storey and above.

    3. Residential vs Recreational ratio on land must fulfill certain criteria.

    4. Unit to Land ratio must also fulfill certain criteria.

    5. Certain facilities is a must.

    6. Lastly, any residential property attach to a shopping centre like compass height, centris, ion cannot be classify as condo regardless of the above mentioned fullfillment.

    So sometime, you could have EVERYTHING a condo have yet be classify as apartment. I'm not going in depth on how it affect valuation unless you want further info.

    it also depend on land size/units ratio at which band. In addition, the common space/recreation area to residential area ratio. this you have to refer to building plan.

    In the past, apartment are associate with lucky plaza apartment, IP or beautyworld, etc. Then when more Geylang/Joo Chiat apartments spurn out across, it give apartment a bad taste.

    Recently, ppl enbloc 2 or 3 landed properties and pay development charge with plot ratio increase for small development, they are hamper by the 45000 sqft ruling but many of them put out those 30 units plus with lavish advertisment like for "the esteem ones" and thus package a bit well. Then when Ion and Centris shopping centre living come to picture, it change the mentality of ppl. (Ion refer to the orchard residence"

    So back to your question, putting aside condo status, different apartment warrant diff evaluation. The key is, it depend on WHY is it classify as Apartment in the 1st place.

    Example, between 2 similar developments, if a condo cat is the same price as a apartment cat, get condo. But if the apartment cat is due to ratio criteria and it near a mrt station/amenities, you may consider the apartment.
    yo ...

    point 2 ...

    Island view and Flynn park are both condo .. and less than 5 storey ...
    in fact most condos in pasir panjang are less than 6 storey ...

    so how to tell ?

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    Quote Originally Posted by jencrs
    Ya just found out that The Scala is Apartment status.
    tats strange....any1 knows y its not condo status?

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    actually i only know must have a min land size of 44000sqft for condo status

    how come so many other criterias

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    Quote Originally Posted by devilplate
    tats strange....any1 knows y its not condo status?
    what facilities does scala have ?

    pool and tennis court ?

    if no court .. then cfm Apt

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    Probably the building encroached onto the minimum boundary setback as required for a Condo Status, so that developer can maximise its plot ratio.

    Quote Originally Posted by devilplate
    tats strange....any1 knows y its not condo status?
    BE CENTRED BY ALL AT THE FRINGE OF THE CITY @

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    Quote Originally Posted by proud owner
    what facilities does scala have ?

    pool and tennis court ?

    if no court .. then cfm Apt
    the scala full condo facilities with tennis court..

    no tennis court also can be condo status....

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    Quote Originally Posted by devilplate
    the scala full condo facilities with tennis court..

    no tennis court also can be condo status....

    hhmm thats what an agent told me ..

    no court means Apt

    condo = pool + court

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    Quote Originally Posted by proud owner
    hhmm thats what an agent told me ..

    no court means Apt

    condo = pool + court
    Ask that agent go "Eat shit" lah

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    This probably layman definition, but URA definition don't care got facilities or not. Just so long as the Building is setback from the boundary according to its height for its plot ratio will do.

    Quote Originally Posted by proud owner
    hhmm thats what an agent told me ..

    no court means Apt

    condo = pool + court
    BE CENTRED BY ALL AT THE FRINGE OF THE CITY @

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    I think so too. We don't have to know why a private estate is classified as "apartment" rather than "condo", we just need to know it belongs to "Apartment" or "Condo". The former ("Apartment") obviously didn't satisfy some criteria to make it a good enough place to be classified as a higher-class "Condo" (simple as that). These reasons of not being classified as "Apartment" may be too numerous, such as not sufficient setbacks from roads (too noisy? no privacy? cannot be green enough since no land around for greenery (plants & trees etc) and beautifying the estate?), the block(s) are too close to the boundaries of the land (no privacy?), the blocks are too close to each other (no privacy? not green enough?, not comfortable living?), too small swimming pool (may be?), not enough greenery around the estate(?), etc etc! When developers want to squeeze as much GFA as possible from the estate to be built, they will definitely infringe on some of the above (even if the land is 200,000 sqft! - I know I know, some very big estate also classified as "Apartment"! Ops! - This shows the developers care more about profits than the 'class' & comfortable living of residents in the estate!).

    Quote Originally Posted by sleek
    Probably the building encroached onto the minimum boundary setback as required for a Condo Status, so that developer can maximise its plot ratio.

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    Quote Originally Posted by apple3
    1. Any land size 45,000sqf and below residential property cannot be classifiy as Condominium.

    2. Any condominium must have 6th storey and above.

    3. Residential vs Recreational ratio on land must fulfill certain criteria.

    4. Unit to Land ratio must also fulfill certain criteria.

    5. Certain facilities is a must.

    6. Lastly, any residential property attach to a shopping centre like compass height, centris, ion cannot be classify as condo regardless of the above mentioned fullfillment.

    So sometime, you could have EVERYTHING a condo have yet be classify as apartment. I'm not going in depth on how it affect valuation unless you want further info.

    it also depend on land size/units ratio at which band. In addition, the common space/recreation area to residential area ratio. this you have to refer to building plan.

    In the past, apartment are associate with lucky plaza apartment, IP or beautyworld, etc. Then when more Geylang/Joo Chiat apartments spurn out across, it give apartment a bad taste.

    Recently, ppl enbloc 2 or 3 landed properties and pay development charge with plot ratio increase for small development, they are hamper by the 45000 sqft ruling but many of them put out those 30 units plus with lavish advertisment like for "the esteem ones" and thus package a bit well. Then when Ion and Centris shopping centre living come to picture, it change the mentality of ppl. (Ion refer to the orchard residence"

    So back to your question, putting aside condo status, different apartment warrant diff evaluation. The key is, it depend on WHY is it classify as Apartment in the 1st place.

    Example, between 2 similar developments, if a condo cat is the same price as a apartment cat, get condo. But if the apartment cat is due to ratio criteria and it near a mrt station/amenities, you may consider the apartment.

    Apple3 works for URA, SLA, BCA?

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    Good to have insiders here. Learnt a lot. Thanks guys.

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    Quote Originally Posted by proud owner
    what facilities does scala have ?

    pool and tennis court ?

    if no court .. then cfm Apt
    Parkvie Apartment at Bukit Batok has tennis court, swimming pool and 13 floors. Why is it called apartment?

    Is this apartment good?
    VL

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    "Condo" better than "Apartment" (otherwise URA does not have to waste time coming up with the specifications to satisfy the "Condo" classification - all else that doesn't satisfy automatically called "Apartment").

    Quote Originally Posted by Veryln
    Parkvie Apartment at Bukit Batok has tennis court, swimming pool and 13 floors. Why is it called apartment?

    Is this apartment good?

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    smaller FH apt got advantage leh...easier to enbloc

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    Smaller FH "Condo" even better, even easier to enbloc (because got more land space to play with for facilities).

    Quote Originally Posted by devilplate
    smaller FH apt got advantage leh...easier to enbloc

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    Height is not a criterion. We have condos like Villa Marina at a max height of 4 floors. MBR, MBS are probably condo status but no tennis court. URA defines condo mainly based as livable index. Like how many units vs land size, min. land size etc. Pricing wise, apartment or condo status is never a factor. It is always location and "rentability". FH or LH99? The most expensive condos are mainly dominated by LH99 except a few FH in D10.



    Quote Originally Posted by sleek
    This probably layman definition, but URA definition don't care got facilities or not. Just so long as the Building is setback from the boundary according to its height for its plot ratio will do.

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    Quote Originally Posted by sleek
    Just so long as the Building is setback from the boundary according to its height for its plot ratio will do.
    Quote Originally Posted by Squall8888
    Height is not a criterion.
    I believe what sleek means is that the Setback from Common Boundaries for Condos is different from apartments, and the difference depends on the development's storey height, which in part depends on it's plot ratio.

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    so anyone knows which property is type condo?

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    Found this:
    Non-Landed Property: Condominiums and Private Apartments
    There are legal differences between a condominium and a private apartment.
    When you are the owner of a private apartment, you are a lessee under the 99 year lease the housing developer has created for each apartment. You would not own any part of the common property - such as the car park or the pool - as these belong to the lessor, who can charge a separate fee for using those facilities. As an apartment owner you have certain rights and obligations spelt out under the lease. However, you are not able to participate in the management of the facilities.
    A condominium is created under the Land Titles (Strata) Act, Chapter 158 and is also known as a "strata title property". As a condominium owner you own a share of the common property. Under the same Act a Management Corporation needs to be created to manage the the common property. As an apartment owner (or Subsidiary Proprietor) in a condominium you can be voted into the management council to have a say in the management of the common property.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Komo
    Found this:
    Non-Landed Property: Condominiums and Private Apartments
    There are legal differences between a condominium and a private apartment.
    When you are the owner of a private apartment, you are a lessee under the 99 year lease the housing developer has created for each apartment. You would not own any part of the common property - such as the car park or the pool - as these belong to the lessor, who can charge a separate fee for using those facilities. As an apartment owner you have certain rights and obligations spelt out under the lease. However, you are not able to participate in the management of the facilities.
    A condominium is created under the Land Titles (Strata) Act, Chapter 158 and is also known as a "strata title property". As a condominium owner you own a share of the common property. Under the same Act a Management Corporation needs to be created to manage the the common property. As an apartment owner (or Subsidiary Proprietor) in a condominium you can be voted into the management council to have a say in the management of the common property.
    apt status owners also get strata title leh....

    only HDB is lessee

  29. #29
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    very confusing leh...only know right price buy...right price sell.

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    Quote Originally Posted by proud owner
    hhmm thats what an agent told me ..

    no court means Apt

    condo = pool + court
    Erm... totally wrong! A condo can also have no tennis court you know

    And an apt can have all the facilities (but usually sans tennis court) and still be classified as an apt.

    The only and key difference is the land size of the devt

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