[srivett]

Can someone tell me what a "townhouse" is in NZ terms? I'm used to it being one in a row of identical houses all connected by common walls, and that's not what I'm looking for at all. Based on what I'm seeing on NZ real estate sites, it seems to be just a small self-contained house. Am I missing something?

Thanks!

[kanatakiwi]

that's about right. Usually with little or no yard. Kiwis were used to the quarter section lots, with a huge yard, so as they have been infilling with housing behind the original house, or building new housing, it can either be attahced housing as you are more familiar with, or a small self contained house, usually built behind another existing house. You usually share a driveway with the original house.

[Caroline and Dave]

On the Reinz website
Townhouse :A dwelling unit, generally having 2 or more floors and attached to other similar units via party walls. Can be strata or crossleased titled.

http://www.reinz.org.nz/reinz/public/buyers-sellers/terminology.cfm#T

[Mike & Nicola]

Be very aware of newish Townhouses, alot of them are leaky buildings...

[srivett]

Okay, thanks. I'll try to keep a smart eye out. I probably won't be investing in a house for a year or two anyway, but I wanted to make sure I had my definitions right :)

[Croft]

The ones we've seen around Christchurch seem to fall into 2 categories.

a) (and the most prevalent) Garden sold off and house built there - means both houses are now "Town Houses", ie full size house with very little garden around them (a meter or two wide strip at most), but still detached.

b) What in the UK would be termed more of a semi, but usually not a vertical separation. They can be very cleverly designed, we saw one on Cashmere Hills which you would not have guessed was a joined townhouse until you walked outside and saw there was another garage! You usually hold a 999 year cross lease, so you/the other owner can't carry out alterations without permission from the other party.