UAE offers a variety of residential and commercial properties leaving buyers spoilt for choices. Among residential properties, people tend to confuse penthouses and apartments. When choosing between an apartment or a penthouse, multiple factors distinguish these types of properties.
Penthouses are often the top floor of residential buildings with more amenities and facilities. Whereas, an apartment is a unit in a residential building. Let’s find out the differences between apartments and penthouses to help you choose the right one according to your requirements.
Penthouses Vs Apartments: Which one to Choose?
Apartments and penthouses are considerable options available among the different types of properties in the UAE. There are slight differences between apartments and penthouses such as costs, covered area, and amenities.
Whether you own or rent an apartment in the UAE or choose a penthouse, here is a detailed comparison between apartments and penthouses to help you choose the right option.
Living in an Apartment: Things to Consider
An apartment is a separate unit in a building. It is a self-contained housing unit in a building occupied by more apartments and households. While living in apartments can save you maintenance costs and provide better flexibility in terms of renting costs, apartments aren’t as luxurious as penthouses. Let’s take a look at some of the facilities in the apartments:
Covered Area
People looking for an apartment have the flexibility to search for one with a bigger covered area. However, the covered area is a difference between apartments and penthouses as the latter offer a spacious living space.
Additionally, people looking for an apartment have options to choose from studio apartments or one-bedroom to four-bedroom apartments in the UAE. Therefore, it gives greater flexibility to buyers or renters when searching for a residential unit.
Maintenance Costs
Since apartments are smaller units than penthouses, the maintenance costs are lower. Moreover, the building has amenities such as swimming pools and gardens. That said, owners or tenants don’t have to worry about pool and lawn maintenance, and exterior paints.
Balcony Space
Unlike the terrace and balcony in penthouses, an apartment has a smaller balcony space. However, it doesn’t stop apartment owners to implement balcony decoration ideas and make it a peaceful outdoor space.
Connected to Neighbourhood
Apartments provide an opportunity to socialise with the people around. Moreover, it gives a sense of community and a secure environment. Living in close proximity has many advantages as it builds connections. However, a bad or noisy neighbour can be disturbing but it can be solved by proper communication.
Rental Value
Another difference between the apartment and penthouses is the renting costs. According to the RERA rent calculator, a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina has a rent cost between AED 71,000 to 87,000 per annum. However, if you choose to find a penthouse it may cost more due to more bedrooms, amenities, covered area, and other facilities.
Living in a Penthouse: Things to Consider
Penthouses are different from apartments even though both are in the same building. Penthouses are top-floor units with more luxurious facilities. Here are a few things to consider when you are looking to buy or rent a penthouse in the UAE:
Space
Penthouses are more spacious than apartments. That said, penthouses in the UAE have a minimum of two bedrooms with attached bathrooms. Besides, they have a larger covered area compared to a normal apartment in the same building.
Maintenance Costs
When it comes to maintaining a larger space, it requires more maintenance costs and time. Speaking of that, the penthouses are larger units and can be subject to extreme weather conditions such as heat or rain. For that reason, it requires regular maintenance plus exterior paints should be part of your home maintenance checklist.
Moreover, a penthouse has a larger outdoor space and terrace. That said, this terrace may come with a small swimming pool or garden. This will also require regular maintenance.
Luxurious
Speaking of luxuries, penthouses already come with a larger space. Besides, outdoor space and a residence high above the city noises make it a comfortable and luxurious space. Although penthouses are in the same building as apartments, you won’t have close neighbours on the same floor. That said, you won’t have to worry about noisy neighbours.
Higher Value
Penthouses have higher values than apartments due to the following reasons:
- High ceilings
- Premium home finishes
- More covered area
- Outdoor space
- Privacy
Penthouses vs Apartments: Conclusion
Although there are multiple benefits of living in an apartment, penthouses have their perks. A penthouse has a separate outdoor space and is a top-floor unit. Whereas an apartment gives a sense of community around a neighbourhood.
This was a complete comparison between penthouses vs apartments. Both properties are units of the same building but come with different facilities and amenities. Therefore, when you are planning to buy a property in the UAE, keep the differences between various property types in mind. Whether you choose to own or rent penthouses, villas or apartments, ensure that you are aware of the facilities, rules and regulations.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top property blog to learn more about different residential and commercial units in the Emirates.
