Semi

‘Semi’ is a contraction of ‘semi-detached’ and is a term commonly heard among property-buyers and sellers. It describes a semi-detached house which shares a party wall on one side with another house (usually of similar design) while on the other side has no attachment at all.

Hence the term ‘three-bedroom semi’ often implies a house with three bedrooms, two reception rooms and a garden.

Properties that have no adjoining neighbour are described as 'detached', whereas properties with adjoining neighbours on both sides are described as 'terraced'.

The term ‘semi’ need not necessarily imply any particular use of materials or architectural style. It can describe two houses of any style that are joined together. However, for many in the UK, especially England, the term semi will typically conjure up an image of a 1920s- or 1930s-style house with three bedrooms, bay windows and tiled pitched roof.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

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• Commonhold.
• Copyhold.
• Housing tenure.
• Land registry.
• Landlord.
• Leasehold.
• Negotiating a lease.
• Property ownership.
• Stand-alone building.
• Terraced.
• Types of building.
• Vacant possession.
• What is an estate?
• What is a mortgage?