townhouses

Townhouses are a form of attached housing in which a residence shares one or more side walls with neighboring units. They are typically multistory, featuring separate entrances and relatively small footprints that maximize land use in urban or suburban settings. In many regions a row of townhouses forms a continuous block with uniform facades, although interior layouts and detailing can vary between units.

Design and features commonly include two to four stories, a private entrance, and limited yard space. Interiors often use stairs to connect floors, with living areas on the ground floor and bedrooms on upper levels. Exterior finishes frequently use brick, stone, or siding, and some developments include garages or driveways, shared courtyards, or courtyards behind the houses. Modern townhouses may be part of planned developments with homeowners associations or management companies that maintain common areas and exterior elements.

Ownership arrangements vary by country. In many places, a townhouse is held as fee simple property with individual title to the unit and shared ownership of common walls and land managed through a homeowners association or equivalent governance structure. In other systems, units may be individually owned while exterior upkeep is covered by a separate association.

Townhouses are valued for high density housing with a distinct architectural identity, often contributing a sense of community within walkable neighborhoods. They can offer a balance between the space of a house and the efficiency of a multiunit development, though they may involve shared walls, noise considerations, and association rules.