The Rental Dictionary
If you think studio apartment means you’ll be hooked up with recording equipment for the performer in you or that efficiency is for those environmental types looking to conserve energy, you need to learn the lingo. Check out our dictionary of apartment-related definitions below.
Alcove: A small, separate space in an apartment which can house a kitchen or bedroom arrangement.
Apartment: A rented space in either a building, house or flat. Apartments are rented with a lease, a legal contract stating the terms of the rental.
Brownstone/Townhouse: A four- to six-story building often constructed during, or in the style of, 1800s to early 1900s housing. It can be a single-family home or divided into apartments.
Condominium: A space that is purchased in a building, including an apartment and a percentage of the common living space in the building.
Condominium Lease: Similar to a rental lease, except the apartment has a private owner. This type of lease may have more negotiable terms as only one owner is involved.
Convertible: An apartment with an extra alcove or room that could be converted into a bedroom. This is great for someone needing an office or someone who needs a child’s room.
Co-operative (Also called co-op): A building owned by a cooperative apartment corporation. The corporation issues shares of its stock which are allocated to each apartment depending on the size and features. This means you don’t own the actual space but rather a share in the cooperation.
Duplex: Depending on the city, these can be a house divided into halves or a two-story apartment.
Elevator Buildings: Usually a six- to twelve-story building that uses an intercom or video surveillance system. They may or may not have a doorman and luxuries like an in-building gym or pool.
Furnished Unit: An apartment that comes fully equipped with furniture and amenities. These units may be available for either a short- or long-term lease.
Loft: A big, open space that has been converted into an apartment (often a former commercial building). Because of their popularity, loft-style apartments are now being built from the ground up. Their high ceilings and large windows are ideal for those who like to throw parties or need extra space.
One-bedroom: An apartment that includes a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living area. A one-bedroom with a separate room not as big as the bedroom may be listed as a 1.5 bedroom, a junior four (four rooms), a flex two or a convertible two (two bedrooms).
Rental Lease: A legal document stating the dates, price, rules and other stipulations for the rental agreement between an individual and a management company or landlord. Once signed, they are hard to break unless you have a serious problem as outlined in the document.
Studio or Efficiency: A one-room apartment with a separate bath. A studio may also have a separate kitchen area. Traditionally thought of as an artist’s space, the studio is usually a less expensive option and great for those who don’t need a big space.
Sub-lease: Taking over a lease in a co-operative or rental apartment from the current tenant. The sublet renter usually shares responsibility for the apartment with the main leaseholder.
Two-bedroom: An apartment with two bedrooms and typically four, five or six total rooms. The bedrooms may have exact layouts or may vary greatly in size. There may be one main bathroom or a master bedroom and bath with another bathroom near the central living area.
Walk-up building: Usually the least expensive type of housing, these are four- to five-story buildings often constructed as multi-family housing.
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