Deciding what to buy
Townhouse
A middle ground between a house and an apartment — often with a small private outdoor area, and sometimes an owners corporation.
- A townhouse typically sits between a house and an apartment in space and privacy.
- Whether an owners corporation applies varies by development — check the title and plan of subdivision.
- Some townhouses are fully separate (Torrens) titles with no shared obligations at all.
A middle ground
A townhouse typically sits between a house and an apartment: often multi-storey, usually with a small private outdoor area, and commonly — though not always — part of an owners corporation if it shares a driveway, walls or other common property with neighbouring townhouses.
What to confirm
Whether a specific townhouse has an owners corporation — and what it covers — varies by development; some townhouse titles are fully separate (Torrens title) with no shared obligations at all, while others share a driveway or building elements requiring an owners corporation (see that guide). Never assume either way without checking the title and plan of subdivision.
Practical checklist
Before shortlisting a townhouse
- Confirm the title type — Torrens title or strata/owners corporation
- If an owners corporation applies, research it (see the owners corporations guide)
- Check what, if anything, is shared with neighbouring townhouses
Questions for a professional
- Is this townhouse's title fully separate, or does it involve an owners corporation?