If you like the idea of living in a house but aren’t quite ready to own property yet, a duplex might be a great option for you.
A duplex is a building with two separate units. These units share a wall and are usually side-by-side or stacked on top of each other. Each unit has its own entrance, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms, offering a more affordable alternative to renting a house. Residents may share a yard or driveway space, but both units offer privacy.
What Does a Duplex Look Like?
Duplexes are essentially half of a single-family home. Units are either side-by-side or stacked on top of each other, and floor plans are mirrored in each unit. Each unit in a duplex has a private entrance, making it different from a typical house.
Both units in a duplex can be rented out, but it’s common for the owner to live on one side.
What makes a duplex different from an apartment?
A duplex is one of two units in a building typically managed by a private landlord, while an apartment is a single unit in a multi-unit building that’s almost always managed by a property management company. Duplexes often have amenities that might be more difficult to find in apartment communities like a driveway, garage, and a backyard.
Is a Duplex Right for You?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 survey, about 17% of renters live in a duplex, triplex, or quadplex. Living in a duplex works for a lot of renters, but you need to make the decision that best fits your lifestyle. Here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider before signing your next lease.
Advantages of living in a duplex
You only share the building with one other person
Instead of sharing space with an entire complex of people, you only have to worry about sharing one wall with one person and it might be quieter (unless you have a noisy neighbor).
Landlords who manage a duplex often live in one of the units, making it easy to contact them for emergency maintenance.
You can save money in an expensive area
When you live in a duplex, the cost of a single lot is split between two units. Because the property is split in two, rent and utilities are typically lower than what you would pay when you rent a single-family home. This makes it more affordable to live in a trendier area.
You’ll have more space
Duplexes are generally more spacious than the average apartment, and many have garages, patios, and backyards. The extra space makes duplexes a good choice for renters with large dogs.
Most duplexes also have in-unit washers and dryers, so you won’t have to drag your dirties to the laundromat every week.
Disadvantages of living in a duplex
Your neighbor might be your landlord
Some renters aren’t comfortable with the idea of living next to their landlord and may prefer a landlord who doesn’t live on the property.
Noise
Depending on how well insulated the units are, sharing a wall can be difficult. Loud neighbors can make any rental experience frustrating, but especially in a more private environment like a duplex.
Less standardized maintenance
Since many duplexes are privately owned, maintenance management may be more informal than the standardized processes you’d find at a large apartment community.
There won’t be any on-site or 24/7 maintenance, even if your landlord lives next door; you’ll have to contact your landlord and wait until they’re available to come over and address the problem, and you may even be responsible for mowing the lawn or shoveling snow.
Duplexes offer features that apartments can’t provide, like driveways and backyards, without the commitment of owning a home. If you’re looking for an affordable option in a trendy neighborhood, enjoy the look of a house, and don’t mind doing light yard work, a duplex might be a great fit.
This article was originally published on August 5, 2020, by Jamia Kenan.
