condominium

Condominium

In the United States and most of Canada, a piece of housing property attached to other properties, each individually owned, but with co-ownership of all common areas. This is usually associated with an apartment building in which residents own their apartments, but collectively (acting through a homeowners' association) own things like elevators, electric wiring, the outside of the buildings or the courtyards. In the event of an accident, liability is often apportioned according to where the accident occurred. For example, if a pipe bursts in a condominium and ruins the floors, its owner is responsible. However, if a pipe bursts in a condominium and ruins a neighboring unit's floors, liability rests with the homeowner's association. It is informally called a condo.

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condominium

A system of ownership in a multiunit development allowing individual ownership of some areas and common ownership of all other areas.The identifying feature is the legality that common areas (entrance, hallways, elevators, swimming pool, parking, etc.) are owned by all members of the community in common with each other, rather than being owned by a separate corporation or association. Residential condominium projects may be multistory apartment-style residences or may resemble traditional detached housing or garden home communities.

The Complete Real Estate Encyclopedia by Denise L. Evans, JD & O. William Evans, JD. Copyright © 2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.