Property Jargon

A list of terms relevant to buying or renting a house or flat in Malta and their explanations.

Airspace Area immediately above a property that can be built upon (or not)
Maisonette Apartment with own entrance. Usually on two floors
Double-fronted Principle windows either side of the front door
Freehold Ownership of the building and the land on which it stands
Leasehold Ownership of the building but not of the land on which it stands
Open plan Large multi-purpose space
Palazzo Palatial building
Penthouse Top apartment in a block of flats. Often the biggest and most sought-after
Terraced house House within a row of similar houses joined on one or both sides
Townhouse Tall narrow terraced house usually with three or more floors
Villa Country house in its own grounds