Condominium definition
The term ‘condominium’ or ‘condo’ is used in North America and some other English speaking areas such as Australia, to refer to a building in which individual units are separately owned, but common areas are owned jointly.
It most commonly refers to residential blocks in which the residents own their individual flats and the common areas are owned jointly and managed collectively. However, other types of buildings might also include condominiums, such as shopping malls containing individual retail units.
It is a Latin word derived from ‘con’ meaning ‘together’ and ‘dominium’ meaning ‘domain’.
The term is also increasingly used to refer to groups of detached dwellings, that have common parts that are owned jointly and managed collectively such as the surrounding streets.
Condominiums are distinguished from apartments, in that the flats are owned rather than leased.
Condominiums are analogous to ‘commonhold’ properties in the UK.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Delivering for tenants; National Retrofit Hub
New report offers recommendations to strengthen energy efficiency standards to protect private renters.
Government consultations for the summer of 2025
A year of Labour, past and present consultations on the environment, the built environment, training and tax.
CMA competitiveness probe of major housing developers
100 million affordable housing contributions committed with further consultation published.
Homes England supports Greencore Homes
42 new build affordable sustainable homes in Oxfordshire.
Zero carbon social housing: unlocking brownfield potential
Seven ZEDpod strategies for brownfield housing success.
CIOB report; a blueprint for SDGs and the built environment
Pairing the Sustainable Development Goals with projects.
Types, tests, standards and fires relating to external cladding
Brief descriptions with an extensive list of fires for review.
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.