Published on May 13th, 2019 | by Bibhuranjan

5 questions to ask when buying a townhouse

In the recent past, the townhouse property market has been gaining popularity at a rapid pace. Townhouses for sale in Dubai are increasing in almost every part of the city. This is because they are cheaper than villas and offer better privacy than apartments. Most townhouses in Dubai are designed in a community that features common facilities such as swimming pools, fitness centres, schools and more. Typically, these common areas are managed and maintained by a homeowners association.

There is a wide variety of off plan properties in Dubai including townhouses like Sur La Mer townhouses. Although there are new projects in Dubai, several off plan projects have already been completed and sold.

Here are some questions you need to ask before buying a townhouse:

What are the homeowner’s association rules?

In most cases, townhouse communities have laws and rules which can be very strict. For instance, in some communities, there are restrictions on the type and size of pets. Also, in a bid to maintain the aesthetic of the community, there might be rules prohibiting keeping plants on the outside. Make sure you understand all the rules to know if the community is a good match.

What are the monthly contributions?

Since townhouses in Dubai are managed by a strata title, common areas are managed by a corporate body. As a result, members are required to contribute a certain amount of money every month to manage and maintain the common facilities. Find out what areas the fees covers and who is in charge of maintaining structural components of the houses such as roofs or shared walls.

What are the rules of shared facilities?

Living in a townhouse comes with many perks. For instance, amenities such as clubhouses, gyms, swimming pools and playgrounds are some of the benefits of townhouse living. Also, because these facilities are shared and managed by a corporate body, you won’t be in charge of taking care of anything. You should ask about the shared facilities and the governing rules.

Who maintains and manages the development

Even though townhouse living comes with a lot of perks, it can be frustrating if the development is not managed and maintained properly. You should know if your contributions are managed and well utilised. A maintained development is not only important for you as the homeowner but also have an impact on the resale value.

How is noise pollution?

In some townhouses, common walls are shared and therefore noise can easily travel from one house to the other. Ask if the walls are soundproofed and the rules regarding disturbances. You can also observe during the visiting day.

Conclusion

So before buying a townhouse, you need to ask some questions regarding home owner association rule, monthly contribution, facilities and amenities offered and who is responsible for the maintenance or management of the development.

Tags: Dubai, house, properties, real estate

About the Author

Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.