Are you looking to buy a house and considering a terraced house? Before committing yourself, take the time to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of living in a terraced house.

What characterises a terraced house?

A house is said to be semi-detached when it is adjoined by a wall to another house, or inserted between two houses. The front façade faces the street and the rear façade faces a private outdoor space (garden or courtyard) if it exists.

What are the advantages of terraced houses?

Less windy, the semi-detached house saves on heating. Each house benefits from the heat emitted by its neighbours. The common wall serves as a heat carrier. It is estimated that the heating bill of a semi-detached house is 35 % lower than that of a detached house.

When you are on holiday, having neighbours is a guarantee of safety. If your home is not insulated, it is less likely to attract the attention of thieves.

The disadvantages of joint ownership

If you want to live in common, you need to know maintain good neighbourly relations. Noises can quickly become unbearable. If the walls are not well insulated, a crying baby, a barking dog or repeated parties can cause tension.

A semi-detached house, especially if it is wedged between two other dwellings, may lack light. If possible, the interior should be designed to create a large living room with a through view.

Another inconvenience is privacy. In summer, it is difficult to enjoy a garden if it is adjoining. The presence of the neighbours can quickly become disturbing: sunbathing and private conversation are to be avoided. The solution is to consider building a party wall between the two gardens or planting a tree. However, beware of pruning problems.

Building on a party line

Some families or friends consider buying or building together. In the case of the purchase of a horizontal condominium, they become owners of their home, but co-owners of the building and the land. In this case, the work, development and planting must be approved and paid for by both parties. A solution that can quickly become conflictual.

It is possible for two people to buy a plot of land and divide it into two plots in order to build a semi-detached house. This solution is possible if the PLU (Plan Local d'Urbanisme) allows it.