Guide Note

Apartments are housing units within a building. They are usually rented, but sometimes they can be owned as a cooperative or a condominium.

Fast Facts

1. Can be referred to as "flats"
2. Renters called tenants, owners called landlords
3. Typically available for lease of 1 year or 6 months¹
4. World's tallest apartment complex is Q1 Resort & Spa in Queensland, Australia²
5. Likely world's smallest apartment measures 62 square feet, located in London, England³

A studio, or efficiency, is a one-room apartment. It often has a separate bathroom and sometimes has a separate kitchen.

A one-bedroom apartment has a bedroom that is separate from the living area. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments have two and three separate bedrooms, respectively. These apartments may have full separate kitchens.

A loft has high ceilings and large windows. Lofts are usually created when commercial buildings are converted into apartment buildings.

A duplex is an apartment that has two levels. A triplex has three.⁴