What Is an Apartment? Definition and Types

Quick Answer

An apartment is a self-contained residential unit within a larger building or complex that contains multiple units. Most apartments are rented from a landlord, but the word describes the type of unit, not who owns it. A unit in a multi-unit building can also be owned as a condo or held through a cooperative, which changes the legal and financial picture.

Apartment Definition: What Counts as an Apartment?

In everyday use, an apartment is a set of rooms with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance that shares a building, walls, or grounds with other units. Government and industry definitions vary by purpose. Zoning codes, building codes, lenders, and statistics agencies each draw lines differently, so a local ordinance may define the term in its own way. If a legal question depends on the definition, check the rule that applies to you.

Common Types of Apartments

Apartment types are usually described by layout or building style. Names vary by region, but you will often see these:

• Studio: One main room that combines living and sleeping space, with a separate bathroom
• One-bedroom, two-bedroom, and larger: Units described by their number of bedrooms
• Loft: An open layout, often with high ceilings and converted industrial space
• Garden-style: Low-rise buildings, often with surface parking and grounds
• Mid-rise and high-rise: Taller buildings served by elevators
• Duplex and triplex units: Small buildings with two or three homes
• Walk-up: Buildings without elevators, usually of limited height

Apartment vs. Condo vs. Co-op

All three can look the same from the outside. The difference is ownership and who is responsible for the building.

These are general patterns, not rules for every property. Co-ops in particular are structured differently from place to place, and lenders treat them differently. Our guide to condo vs apartment goes deeper on the everyday differences, and types of community associations explains how co-ops and condos are governed. California law lists a stock cooperative and a condominium project as separate forms of common interest development (Civil Code section 4100), which shows the law treats them as different structures.

Where Apartments Meet Community Associations

A traditional rental apartment complex usually has one owner and no homeowner association. The landlord sets the rules through leases. When units are individually owned, as in a condominium, an owners association usually runs the shared property. Read what a condo association is for how that works, and HOA vs condo association differences if you are comparing townhome and condo communities.

Some buildings are converted: apartments that were once rentals are sold as condos. After conversion, buyers become members of the association, and the rules change from a lease to recorded governing documents. Anyone buying should read those documents, the budget, and the reserve information first.

How to Decide What Fits You

• Choose renting if you want flexibility and fewer maintenance duties
• Consider a condo if you want to build equity and accept shared governance and assessments
• Consider a co-op only after reviewing its financials, approval process, and financing options with a professional

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an apartment the same as a condo?

No. Both are units in a larger building, but an apartment is typically rented from a landlord while a condo is owned by the resident. Some buildings can contain both if owners rent out their condos.

What is the difference between an apartment and a flat?

In everyday American English they mean about the same thing. Flat is more common in British English and is sometimes used for a unit that occupies one floor.

Do apartments have HOAs?

Rental apartment communities usually do not have an HOA because one owner controls the property. Owner-occupied condos and townhomes commonly do.

Can I rent out a condo as an apartment?

Often, but the association may limit or regulate rentals. Michigan and California associations commonly have leasing rules in their documents. See our post on HOA rental caps.

What is a studio apartment?

A studio combines the living and sleeping areas in one main room, with a separate bathroom and usually a kitchen area.

How APM Helps

Association Property Managers manages community associations (HOAs, condos, and townhomes) in Michigan and California. Our team supports boards with rules enforcement, vendor oversight, budgets, and owner communication. Learn about our association management services, review our pricing, or request a free proposal. We deliver proposals within 3 business days. Call 810.777.7060.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and documents vary by community; ask an attorney about your situation. Last verified October 25, 2026.