Types of Home Ownership

Freehold, condo or co-op?

Here’s a quick guide to help you determine your type

As you embark on your hunt for housing and begin perusing real estate listings,you will no doubt encounter a strange new lexicon. You’ll encounter words and acronyms like “chattel”, “estoppel” and “MLS”. And when it comes to types of home ownership, the words look a bit more familiar, but the meaning is not so clear.

This isn’t a foreign language, nor is it the result of a real estate broker with a malfunctioning keyboard. This is the language of real estate agents, and confusing as it may seem, have no fear. Your translator is here.

In Canadian real estate there are three broad categories of home ownership. The words “freehold”, “co-operative” and “condominium” are the terms used to define an owner’s rights and responsibilities as they pertain to the dwelling.

These types vary in the extent of the freedom the owner is allowed regarding the decoration and renovation of the property, and rules that restrict certain behaviours. They can also define who is responsible for the various maintenance tasks on the premises.

These are the basic points you should know about the types of home ownership:

Freehold ownership

The owner owns the house and the grounds.
Freehold homes offer the most privacy and freedom of choice of any type of home. Homeowners are free to decorate and renovate as they please.
The owner is also responsible for all the maintenance on the interior and the exterior of the house.
Freehold is the most common type of home ownership.

Condominium ownership

The homeowner owns the unit and shares ownership of common elements. Condos are usually apartment buildings, but also include townhouse developments and developments of detached buildings on private roads.
The homeowner is responsible for the interior area of the unit (everything from the plaster in). The condo association is responsible for the up-keep of the exterior of the building, common interior elements (halls, elevators and parking garages, for example) and the grounds.
All condo owners pay a monthly fee to the condominium association to cover maintenance costs and common utility fees and taxes.
Condos often have strict rules regarding noise, use of common areas and renovations to units. Condominium residents often enjoy less privacy than residents of detached homes.
Condos are usually less expensive than freehold houses.

Co-operative ownership

Co-operatives (or co-ops) are similar to condos but instead of owning your unit, you own a share in the entire building or complex.
Co-op residents pay for maintenance and repairs through monthly fees and are subject to the rules and regulations of the co-op board.
If you decide to sell your shares and move out, the co-op board has the right to reject your prospective buyer.

Courtesy of RoyalLePage.ca