A flat in a tenement house or a block of flats? Part 1

When buying or renting a flat, we often face the decision of whether to opt for the practicality of a property in a block of flats or for the "soul" of an interior in a tenement house. Both options have their pros and cons. If you too are wondering which type of home appeals to you more, read today's article, in which we weigh up all the arguments for and against.

Advantages of a flat in a tenement house

There is no denying that tenement houses have their charm. Beautiful, historic architecture, ornate facades, high ceilings and plenty of space are the main advantages, which are hard to find in blocks of flats. A property in a tenement house also gives us more scope for arranging the interior. A large floor area can be furnished freely, without worrying about space limitations. An additional advantage is the windows, thanks to which we have unlimited access to daylight.

Another asset of this type of interior is the thick walls, which protect us from noise from neighbouring flats. We do not have to worry that throwing a party will upset the neighbours, or that their everyday life will constantly disturb us. Moreover, old buildings protect us from summer heat. Entering a flat in a tenement house even on the hottest day, we will feel a pleasant coolness that brings relief.

The location of this type of property is also a great benefit. Situated in the very centre, tenement houses give us excellent access to all services, public transport and the city's cultural and entertainment attractions.

Disadvantages of a flat in a tenement house

A flat in a tenement house also has its drawbacks, however. It is hard to find a truly attractive interior. Most flats of this type require a thorough renovation. On top of that come the downsides of old buildings, with wiring and plumbing that are prone to frequent faults. Properties in tenement houses are also not connected to district heating. This significantly increases costs, as you have to invest in gas or electric heating.

Heating also causes a problem in winter. It often turns out to be insufficient. Large rooms are hard to heat and do not retain warmth as well as flats in a block. A solution may be to lower the ceilings or to accept high electricity or gas bills in winter.

Moreover, if we are looking for a really nice flat in a tenement house, in a restored and renovated building, we must expect a high price or a high rent. On the other hand, a tenement house is a good choice if we want to find something cheaper. In that case, though, we will have to accept the need for a renovation or a low interior standard.

Tenement houses, even though they are in the city centre, are also often inhabited by people on the margins of society. Most of these properties are municipal flats, which may lead to unpleasant situations with neighbours and difficulties in raising funds to renovate the building owing to the low incomes of the other residents.

Moreover, the windows of tenement houses often face busy streets, so noise reaches the flat, which can be a nuisance in the long run. Drivers may also face inconvenience due to the lack of parking spaces near the building.

To top off the list of drawbacks, tenement houses have no lift and steep stairs, which make daily life difficult, especially for the elderly, the infirm and people with disabilities.

As you can see, living in a tenement house brings many benefits, but also difficulties. For comparison, in the next article we will present the advantages and disadvantages of a property in a block of flats. We will also give the final verdict on the dilemma of which type of home is better to live in.