With the boom in the real estate market, there has been a heated debate, any may be quagmire amongst potential home owners on which kind of property to buy.
Whereas there are many types of residential properties one can purchase, the biggest dilemma is always whether to buy a townhouse in a gate estate or an apartment unit within a gated community.
WHAT IS A GATED ESTATE?
A gated estate is a residential community or development that is enclosed by physical barriers, such as walls, fences, or gates, which typically have controlled access points.
These estates are designed to provide a higher level of security, privacy, and exclusivity to the residents.
Examples of gated estates in Kenya are Tilisi Views Estate, Sigona Ridge estate in Limuru and Phenom Park estate in Langata Nairobi.
WHAT IS AN APARTMENT ESTATE?
An apartment estate normally refers to a large residential complex or development that comprises of multiple apartment buildings or units, often built as part of a single project or planned community.
An apartment estate is designed to cultivate a sense of community among the occupants while maximally making proper land use in high-density areas.
Examples of apartment houses estate are Enaki Town resort in Redhill Nairobi and Unity homes estate at Tatu City in Kiambu.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES?
The following are the major differences between the two types;
Service charges –
For a gated estate, service charges are normally higher, ranging between KES 5,000–30,000/month. The service charge costs are distributed among fewer households, and homeowners may negotiate for personalized services.
For an apartment blocks estate, generally the service charge costs are lower, ranging between KES 1,500–15,000/month. These costs are shared among many units, potentially reducing individual contributions. The fees are standardized, with almost no room for negotiations.
Social Amenities
Security features for gated estates include perimeter walls, electric fences, and guards. Amenities such as parks, playgrounds, and clubhouses are larger and there are normally private or designated parking spaces for each unit.
For apartment blocks, the security mainly features controlled entrances and CCTV surveillance, recreational facilities are normally limited and people share parking lots mostly in the basements.
Management Structure
For Gated estates, the management is done by Homeowners' associations or professional managers, and the residents often have more say in estate policies. Additionally, maintenance schedules can be tailored to the estate's needs.
In apartment blocks estates, management is by property management companies such as Knight Frank or Broll, and the residents have less say in the management affairs of the estate. In terms of maintenance, they are standardized maintenance, with limited personalization of the individual owners.
Community Dynamics
For Gated estates, there is a higher level of privacy as the homes are independent. Due to the same population, residents tend to trust each other more and form tight-knit ties.
For Apartment blocks estates, the privacy tends to less due to shared communal spaces. The main advantage of this situation is that people easily form close interactions with a more diverse group of residents.
Legal and Ownership Structures
Residents of gated estates own both the land and the house. The land is governed by government policies such whether the title is freehold or lease hold.
For apartments, the ownership is limited to individual apartment units with shared common areas.
WHICH IS BETTER?
Gated estates attract individuals or families looking for: enhanced security, a peaceful, exclusive environment, high-end or luxury housing options, and a sense of community with like-minded neighbors.
Apartment Estates are best for singles, young professionals, or those seeking affordability and proximity to urban centers.
Whereas there are many types of residential properties one can purchase, the biggest dilemma is always whether to buy a townhouse in a gate estate or an apartment unit within a gated community.
WHAT IS A GATED ESTATE?
A gated estate is a residential community or development that is enclosed by physical barriers, such as walls, fences, or gates, which typically have controlled access points.
These estates are designed to provide a higher level of security, privacy, and exclusivity to the residents.
Examples of gated estates in Kenya are Tilisi Views Estate, Sigona Ridge estate in Limuru and Phenom Park estate in Langata Nairobi.
WHAT IS AN APARTMENT ESTATE?
An apartment estate normally refers to a large residential complex or development that comprises of multiple apartment buildings or units, often built as part of a single project or planned community.
An apartment estate is designed to cultivate a sense of community among the occupants while maximally making proper land use in high-density areas.
Examples of apartment houses estate are Enaki Town resort in Redhill Nairobi and Unity homes estate at Tatu City in Kiambu.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES?
The following are the major differences between the two types;
Service charges –
For a gated estate, service charges are normally higher, ranging between KES 5,000–30,000/month. The service charge costs are distributed among fewer households, and homeowners may negotiate for personalized services.
For an apartment blocks estate, generally the service charge costs are lower, ranging between KES 1,500–15,000/month. These costs are shared among many units, potentially reducing individual contributions. The fees are standardized, with almost no room for negotiations.
Social Amenities
Security features for gated estates include perimeter walls, electric fences, and guards. Amenities such as parks, playgrounds, and clubhouses are larger and there are normally private or designated parking spaces for each unit.
For apartment blocks, the security mainly features controlled entrances and CCTV surveillance, recreational facilities are normally limited and people share parking lots mostly in the basements.
Management Structure
For Gated estates, the management is done by Homeowners' associations or professional managers, and the residents often have more say in estate policies. Additionally, maintenance schedules can be tailored to the estate's needs.
In apartment blocks estates, management is by property management companies such as Knight Frank or Broll, and the residents have less say in the management affairs of the estate. In terms of maintenance, they are standardized maintenance, with limited personalization of the individual owners.
Community Dynamics
For Gated estates, there is a higher level of privacy as the homes are independent. Due to the same population, residents tend to trust each other more and form tight-knit ties.
For Apartment blocks estates, the privacy tends to less due to shared communal spaces. The main advantage of this situation is that people easily form close interactions with a more diverse group of residents.
Legal and Ownership Structures
Residents of gated estates own both the land and the house. The land is governed by government policies such whether the title is freehold or lease hold.
For apartments, the ownership is limited to individual apartment units with shared common areas.
WHICH IS BETTER?
Gated estates attract individuals or families looking for: enhanced security, a peaceful, exclusive environment, high-end or luxury housing options, and a sense of community with like-minded neighbors.
Apartment Estates are best for singles, young professionals, or those seeking affordability and proximity to urban centers.