What Is a Townhouse? Everything You Need to Know in 2024

Are you thinking of renting an apartment soon, but feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available? You may have heard about townhouses before and are wondering what they entail.

In this guide, we'll cover all aspects of townhouses so you can determine if it’s the right choice for your next rental property. From how they compare to different types of apartments, pros and cons of townhouse living, to tips to help you secure a unit. Let's dive in!

Townhouses Explained

What is a Townhouse?

A townhouse is typically a multi-level rental unit that shares one or more walls with a neighbor. This layout offers renters something more like the experience of living in a house and tends to have a direct front entrance or even a patio.

What is the Difference between a Townhouse vs. Condo?

A townhouse is a style of unit, and therefore can't be directly distinguished from condos. Indeed, the two typically share one or two walls and have an HOA that dictates much of what goes on in the community.

However, townhomes can either be part of apartment complexes or they can be purchased by an owner as an indepednent unit. However, townhomes do not have condo associations that they must pay dues to. That is primarily what sets townhouses and condos apart.

What is the Difference Between a Townhouse vs. Apartment?

Townhouses can also be a kind of apartment in the sense that they can exist within an apartment complex. However, even when they're rented out, townhouses are usually referred to as such (and not as apartments). Whereas apartments tend to be laid out on a single floor, townhomes occupy multiple floors.

One of the major differences between townhouse living and apartment living has to do with your neighbors. In townhomes, you are less likely to have anyone above or below you, making noisy neighbors sometimes less of an issue than in a traditional apartment.

Pros and Cons of Renting a Townhouse

Before you ask how to rent a townhome, it’s important to weigh the benefits and pitfalls of this rental option.

Pros of Townhouse Renting

• Size: While small townhouses exist, for the most part, you’ll get greater square footage than a traditional apartment.
• More Privacy: The townhouse layout benefits those who enjoy their privacy more.
• Amenities: Townhouse communities provide renters everything from laundry facilities to fitness centers.
• Maintenance: Even in a 3-story townhouse, renting means your owners or property managers are responsible for maintenance.
• Neighborhood: New townhouses are constantly popping up in some of the most exciting up-and-coming city areas.
• Outdoor Space: Different types of townhouses have different outdoor space configurations, but all will have some to offer renters.

While it’s easy to see the benefits of a townhouse, it’s still important to weigh through the downsides as well.

Cons of Townhouse Renting

• Community Rules: Renting may be too restricting for some who are looking to be able to paint walls, make changes to yards, etc.
• HOA Fees: With all the added expenses, HOA fees can make monthly rent outside your budget.
• Higher Utility Fees: Bigger floor plans mean higher costs for electricity and gas when keeping your townhome comfortable.
• Noise Pollution: Because townhomes are often densely populated, there can be a lot of noise pollution.

How do townhomes work? For some, all the community rules can feel too restricting, but for others who love structure and consistency, it can feel like the perfect home!

8 Tips for Renting a Townhouse

Ready to get yourself into a two-bedroom townhouse ASAP? Here are a few tips from the pros to help get you started on the right foot.

1. Determine Your Budget

Much like you would with any rental property, you need to first start by determining what budget you’re working with. Next, consider your monthly costs, including your utilities, WiFi, cell phone, etc.

When looking at townhomes, keep an eye out for monthly HOA fees. Don’t let the appeal of a fancy townhouse community with a steep price tag lock you into a lease you can’t afford.

2. Research the Location

Always do your due diligence to research the location of a prospective rental property before committing to anything. Thankfully, townhomes have become increasingly popular in recent years, meaning most are in popular areas.

Regardless, research the location to ensure everything you need is nearby. For example, if you don’t have a car, you’ll need to ensure you can readily access grocery stores, gyms, etc., by foot or public transportation.

3. Look for Reputable Landlords

A lease agreement is a legally binding document. Because you should take this agreement very seriously, you always want to ensure you enter into the contract with a reputable landlord.

Ask family and friends to see if they know of any landlords of townhomes in the areas you’re looking for. Then, if you’re still stuck, let Apartment List help!

4. Inspect the Townhouse

When you find a townhouse you like, always complete a walk-through before signing any paperwork. While we always recommend completing a walkthrough in person, there are some exceptions.

For example, if you’re moving across the country, it might not be feasible to inspect the townhouse first. If possible, ask a family member or friend to stand in on your behalf. Otherwise, be on the lookout for virtual tours. Or, ask your prospective landlord if that’s something they might be willing to offer via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype.

5. Understand Your Lease Agreement

Again, a lease agreement is a legally binding document. As such, you always want to ensure you read it thoroughly and understand everything. If you have any questions, contact your landlord for answers.

If your landlord is difficult to get answers from or makes you feel like a burden, chances are that’s a taste of what your landlord-renter relationship will look like. But, remember, it’s not too late to back out before you sign!

6. Know Your Responsibilities

In reviewing your lease agreement, ensure you know your responsibilities as a renter. One of the primary responsibilities of all renters is to make monthly rent payments on time. The details of how much and how to pay monthly rent should be in your lease.

Beyond rent payments, you should also understand the move-in and move-out procedures and who to contact about maintenance requests, pet policies, and guest policies, to name a few.

7. Know Your Rights

Along with your responsibilities as a renter come your rights. As you enter the landlord-renter relationship, you are entitled to certain things too. To be sure of what these rights are, read up on the local laws in your area.

Some of the rights that can be dictated by local legislation include items such as notices to enter the property, late rent notices, lease violation notifications, etc.

8. Communicate with Your Landlord

Since you are entering into a business relationship with your landlord upon signing your lease agreement, it’s always important to open the lines of communication with them. In addition, know who to contact should any regular maintenance issues or emergencies arise on the property.

You want your landlord to feel comfortable enough to approach you with any questions or concerns just as much as you want to feel comfortable reaching out to them in time of need.

Start Apartment Hunting

Now that you know how a townhouse is different from an apartment, you can decide if townhouse living is right for you. After all, it all boils down to personal preference!

And once you're officially ready to begin townhouse hunting, don't forget to take our quiz and start your search on Apartment List, where you'll find thousands of options tailored to your needs as a renter.

Townhouse FAQs

Do Townhomes Always Share Walls?

Townhomes always share at least one wall with a neighbor. If they were totally independent structures, they would just be called "houses."

Are Townhouse Walls Soundproof?

Unfortunately, soundproofing will be entirely based on the individual construction of a townhouse building. However, if you own your townhome, you may be allowed to add additional soundproofing at your own expense.