Home > Expert advice > Fact sheets > Common And Private Portions
Common areas and private portions
Common and private areas
In a condominium, a distinction is made between common and private portions.
The common elements belong to the syndicate of co-owners, while the private portions are the property of a co-owner.
The law provides that the common parts are the parts of the buildings and land used or useful by all or more of the co-owners . Thus, generally, the structural work, the access roads, the premises used for the use of all, the elevators, the corridors ... are common areas .
The co-ownership by-law may, however, contain a different distribution.
Like what:
• a garden can be a private part,
• a co-owner may have the exclusive enjoyment of a common part (terrace and balcony ...).
The private portions are the portions of the buildings and land reserved for the exclusive use of a specific co-owner . They are the exclusive property of each co-owner. The co-ownership by-laws describe them precisely. This is the apartment of each co-owner.
Namely : the co-ownership regulations, if it is well drafted, makes it possible to know if a part of the building is a private part or a common part.
The common elements belong to the syndicate of co-owners, while the private portions are the property of a co-owner.
The law provides that the common parts are the parts of the buildings and land used or useful by all or more of the co-owners . Thus, generally, the structural work, the access roads, the premises used for the use of all, the elevators, the corridors ... are common areas .
The co-ownership by-law may, however, contain a different distribution.
Like what:
• a garden can be a private part,
• a co-owner may have the exclusive enjoyment of a common part (terrace and balcony ...).
The private portions are the portions of the buildings and land reserved for the exclusive use of a specific co-owner . They are the exclusive property of each co-owner. The co-ownership by-laws describe them precisely. This is the apartment of each co-owner.
Namely : the co-ownership regulations, if it is well drafted, makes it possible to know if a part of the building is a private part or a common part.
Good to know
Your building has a small courtyard and you would like to install your plancha there? Be careful, barbecues in condominiums are not always accepted. Check the rules.
Other fact sheets
To go further:
Our guide to frequently asked questions about real estate is here to help you see more clearly.
Quickly find an effective letter template to meet your expectations as much as possible.