Maisonette
The maisonette is Malta's signature property type – a multi-level home with its own private entrance directly from the street. This defining feature sets it apart from apartments, offering more privacy and a house-like feel across 2-4 floors of living space.
Key Characteristics
Private Entrance
Your own front door directly from the street – the defining feature that sets maisonettes apart from apartments.
Multi-Level Living
Spread across 2-4 floors with internal staircases, offering natural separation between living and sleeping areas.
More Privacy
No shared corridors or lifts. Enter your home directly without passing through common areas.
House-Like Feel
The vertical layout and private entrance give maisonettes a townhouse feel at a more accessible price point.
Types of Maisonettes
Ground Floor Maisonette
Entrance at street level with living space extending upward. Often includes a backyard or small garden. Ground floor typically houses the garage.
Ideal for: Families with children, pet owners, those wanting outdoor space
First Floor Maisonette
Private street entrance leads to stairs, with living space starting on the first floor and extending above. More privacy from street noise.
Ideal for: Professionals, couples seeking quieter living
Duplex Maisonette
Classic two-floor configuration connected by internal staircase. The most common maisonette type in Malta.
Ideal for: Small families, couples, anyone seeking multi-level living
Triplex Maisonette
Three floors of living space with internal staircases. Maximum space and clear floor separation.
Ideal for: Larger families, those working from home needing dedicated office floor
Solitary Maisonette
A standalone maisonette not attached to other residential units on its sides – essentially a narrow townhouse. Maximum privacy.
Ideal for: Privacy seekers, those wanting detached-style living
Maisonette vs Apartment
| Feature | Maisonette | Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Private from street | Shared building entrance |
| Floors | 2-4 levels (internal stairs) | Single level |
| Common areas | None – direct access | Lobby, corridors, lift |
| Privacy | High | Medium |
| Outdoor space | Often yard/terrace/roof | Balcony (usually) |
| Feel | House-like | Flat living |
Where Maisonettes Are Common
Sliema
Mix of traditional and modern maisonettes in this premium seafront area.
Gzira
Central location with many maisonettes offering good value.
St Julian's
Vibrant area with both modern and traditional maisonette options.
Msida
Near the University, popular with families. Many traditional maisonettes.
Birkirkara
Malta's largest locality with diverse maisonette stock across all areas.
Mosta
Traditional village with many character maisonettes in the village core.
Understanding Maltese Maisonettes
The maisonette is Malta's signature property type, accounting for roughly 11% of all residential properties. The word comes from the French "maisonnette" meaning "small house" – and that's exactly what it offers: the feel of a house in a more compact package.
The Defining Feature: Private Entrance
What truly sets a maisonette apart from an apartment is the private entrance directly from the street. While apartment dwellers enter through a shared building lobby and corridors, maisonette residents have their own front door at street level. This single feature transforms the living experience – you're not sharing your entrance with anyone.
Multi-Level Layout
Maisonettes span 2-4 floors connected by internal staircases. This vertical layout naturally separates living and sleeping areas – living spaces typically on lower floors, bedrooms above. The configuration varies: duplex (2 floors), triplex (3 floors), or even larger.
Ground Floor vs First Floor
Ground floor maisonettes have their entrance and often garage at street level, with living space above. Many include backyards, making them popular with families and pet owners. First floor maisonettes have street-level entrance leading to stairs, with living space starting on the first floor – offering more privacy from the street.
Solitary Maisonettes
A solitary maisonette is not attached to other residential units on its sides – essentially a narrow townhouse. These offer maximum privacy, with no shared walls, while maintaining the maisonette price point below fully detached villas.
Things to Consider
Maisonettes involve stairs – typically 2-4 floors of them. This may not suit everyone, particularly those with mobility concerns. Check the roof access situation: many maisonettes include roof rights for laundry, terraces, or future development, while others share roof access or don't include it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a maisonette?
A multi-level property (2-4 floors) with its own private entrance directly from the street. The private entrance is what distinguishes it from an apartment.
Maisonette vs apartment?
Maisonettes have a private street entrance and span multiple floors. Apartments share a common building entrance and are typically single-level.
What is a ground floor maisonette?
A maisonette with entrance at street level, often including a garage on the ground floor and backyard. Living space extends to floors above.
What is a solitary maisonette?
A standalone maisonette not attached to other residential units – essentially a narrow townhouse offering maximum privacy.
How many floors?
Typically 2-4 floors. Duplex = 2 floors, triplex = 3 floors. Connected by internal staircases within the property.
Are maisonettes common in Malta?
Yes, very common – roughly 11% of Malta's residential properties. Found in virtually every town and village across the islands.
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