What is a condominium?

A condominium is defined as a property type where individuals own their specific units within a larger building or complex while sharing ownership of common areas and amenities. This arrangement allows for individual ownership of private residential living spaces—like apartments or townhouses—combined with shared responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of communal facilities such as pools, gyms, and lobbies.

In a condominium, each owner holds the title to their unit and has a percentage interest in the common areas, which is often managed by a homeowners association (HOA). The HOA is responsible for the maintenance of the shared facilities and enforces rules regarding the use of those areas, making it distinct from other forms of ownership, such as cooperatives where residents buy shares of the entire building rather than owning individual units, or single-family homes which are standalone properties. Additionally, a real estate investment partnership involves multiple investors pooling resources to fund property investments and is not related to individual ownership rights in housing.