7 Types of Property That Exist in the UK

Estimated reading time 5 minutes

There are 7 types of property that exist in the UK. To an extent, the variety of properties available to buy and rent are based purely on style, space and affordability. “Houses” as a broad category encompasses a few variations of styles; you can get detached, semi-detached, end of terrace and terrace. Then you have cottages, bungalows and flats which serve an entirely different purpose. The type of property will also depend on where you live. In general, when you live in large congested cities, people will often live in flats and in towns, there will be long streets of houses joined together which are known as terraced houses. And of course, the countryside is characteristic of its larger cottages, bungalows and two or three storey houses that have a lot of land for varied use.

Flats

The first of our 7 types of property that exist in the UK is a flat. The term ‘flat’ is synonymous with British English. From studio flats, to maisonettes and 2-storey flats, a flat is a living area that is self-contained and in one part of a building. A building is usually split into individual flats and the communal areas are those that are shared e.g. lifts, stairwells, receptions etc.…

Detached

Detached houses are more likely to be the property types we all dream of owning. They tend to be more private as they are single standing properties, and do not share walls with other houses. Due to its privacy, detached houses are a lot more expensive and high in demand.

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/stevecadman/ sell my house fast

Semi-detached

Semi-detached properties are a lot more common for homeowners to purchase/rent. There are a lot more semi-detached properties in the UK as they save a lot of space as they are houses paired together by a common wall. Semi-detached properties are fantastic options for homeowners to extend at the back and side and have an element of privacy too.

Terraced

Terraced houses are common in old industrial towns and cities such as Manchester, Bath and areas of central London. Terraced houses became extremely popular to provide high-density accommodation for the working class in the 19th century. Terraced houses are structurally built the same and both sides of each house shares walls with neighbours.

End of Terrace

It says it in the name. It is the end of a terraced house and only one side shares a common wall, while the other is detached.

Photo credit: Robin Drayton (geograph.org.uk)

Cottage

When you think of a cottage, you automatically associate the British rural countryside and more times than not, cottages have and will always be in the rural regions of the UK. Cottages were purposefully built to have thick walls to withstand the bitter cold weather, small windows, structural pillars, low ceilings and most distinctively a thatched roof. Cottages in the middle ages were built for agricultural workers and their families. Nowadays, cottages are houses that have one and a half storeys – the top floor is a lot smaller than the ground floor and the pillars are used to hold up the structure. Modern cottages now have the same comforts of any of the other 7 types of property that exist in the UK, including electricity and running water.

Top cottage: Photo credit to flickr.com/photos/rtpeat/

Bungalows

The word ‘bungalow’, originates from the Indian word ‘Bangla’, which in the 19th century referred to houses that were built in a Bengali style. Houses that were made in Bengali style were traditionally very small and only one storey high and detached. A wide veranda was adopted by the British as well as low roofs. The distinction of a bungalow compared to a cottage is that of style, history and the price tag. Bungalows are generally a lot cheaper to purchase, but of all 7 types of property that exist in the UK, bungalows can sometimes be hard to sell. Therefore, many occupants will add a smaller second floor in order to sell their bungalow quickly. Or failing that, they may use a ‘sell house fast’ company (learn how to avoid We Buy Any House scams here). Bungalows were appropriate housing types to deal with tropical climates such as South East Asia where many bungalows originated. The interior only has one level which is adorned with wide, open hallways and windows.

Image above: Copyright: Ewelina Wachala/Shutterstock

How to sell your home

With all these different types of property it can be quite tricky working out the best way to sell your house.  A good place to start is with a cash offer (no obligation whatsoever) from a cash buying company like Sell House Fast.

The main thing to know is no matter whether it’s a flat, detached, semi, terraced (or anything else for that matter we are cash house buyers and, we buy any house. Make sure you get in touch for a free valuation and a cash offer to help you on your way.

Featured image: Copyright to Phil Williams (geograph.org.uk)