Appartamento

An appartamento is a self-contained dwelling unit within a building, designed or used for permanent residence. In Italian, the term denotes a separate living space with its own entrance and includes essential rooms such as a kitchen, a living area, one or more bedrooms, and a bathroom. Some units feature a balcony or terrace and may include storage spaces or a garage. The layout is commonly described by the number of rooms: bilocale (two rooms), trilocale (three rooms), or quadrilocale (four rooms). A bilocale typically comprises a living room and one bedroom, with a separate kitchen and bathroom; a trilocale adds another bedroom or a larger living area.

Most appartamenti are part of a larger building governed by a condominium (condominio), in which owners share access to common areas like entrances, stairs, elevators, and gardens. Ownership can be through private purchase within the condominium framework or through rental, with tenancy terms set by contract and national and local regulations. Occupants typically bear separate utility costs, while condominium fees cover maintenance of shared parts and services.

Etymology: appartamento derives from Italian, influenced by the French appartement. The concept corresponds to the English apartment or the British flat, and is a common form of urban housing in many countries, with local variations in design, size, and tenure.