What are the Property Types in Cambodia

Cambodia’s real estate market has rapidly evolved in recent years, offering a wide variety of property types to suit different lifestyles, investment goals, and budgets. Whether you’re a local buyer, an expat, or a foreign investor, understanding the distinctions between property types such as apartments, condominiums, villas, flat houses, shophouses, and borey developments is essential before making a purchase or rental decision.

Each type of property in Cambodia comes with its own structure, ownership model, and lifestyle appeal. In this article, Realestate.com.kh will explore these property types in detail and offer a comprehensive comparison to help readers navigate the market confidently.

1. Apartment

Apartments in Cambodia are often misunderstood as being the same as condominiums. While they may look similar because they’re typically built as mid to high-rise buildings, the key difference lies in ownership. Apartments are properties owned by a single individual, company, or entity, and all units within the building are offered for rental only. Tenants do not own their unit and generally pay rent monthly to a landlord or property manager. Apartments often come fully furnished and are usually managed by a professional leasing company.

There’s also a term called “Serviced apartment”, which varies widely in terms of size, style, and price, depending on the location and quality. Serviced apartments are fully furnished and offer amenities such as regular housekeeping, laundry, 24-hour security, and access to facilities like pools and gyms. They are favored by expats, diplomats, and international consultants for short- or long-term stays, especially in central business districts such as BKK or Toul Tumpoung areas. 

2. Condominium (Condo)

Unlike apartments, condominiums (or condos) are individually owned units within a building. They are purchased with a strata title, which gives the owner full rights over their unit and shared ownership of communal areas like hallways, lobbies, swimming pools, and gyms. Condominiums are managed by the building management team, with tenants typically contributing monthly maintenance fees for services.

Understand more about the differences between a Condo and an Apartment in Cambodia

The reason why condos are super popular in Cambodia is that they are one of the few property types legally available for foreign ownership. According to Cambodian law, foreigners can own up to 70% of units in a building above the ground floor. This has made condominiums an attractive investment option, especially in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, where modern condo projects continue to rise.

(J Tower 3, one of the luxurious condominiums in Phnom Penh)

3. Flat House & Shophouse

The flat house, often simply called a "flat," is a common residential structure in Cambodia, especially within gated communities. These properties are built in rows and typically span two to three floors. Flat houses are usually more affordable than villas and are popular among middle-class Cambodian families. They offer spacious spaces and can sometimes be customized or extended as well. 

Are shophouses the same as a flat house? 

A sub-category of flat houses is the shophouse, which serves for both commercial use on the ground floor and residential space above. Shophouses are usually positioned in high-traffic areas, making them ideal for small businesses such as cafés, salons, or retail shops. Because of this, shophouses are especially attractive to families who run home-based businesses or wish to generate rental income from the commercial space.

(Example of flat houses in Cambodia- Source: Borey Chankiri)

Both flat houses and shophouses may be sold under soft or hard titles, and while foreigners are not allowed to directly own land, some can access these properties through nominee structures or land-holding companies, though legal advice from realestate.com.kh is strongly recommended as always!

4. Villa

In Cambodia, villas are seen as the most premium residential property type. They are detached houses often located in more private, spacious settings such as gated communities, suburban areas, or near resorts.

There are several types of villas in Cambodia:

• Standard Villa: typically a standalone home with private garden space and parking.
• Twin Villa: two homes that share a single wall, offering more space than a flat house but less than a full villa.
• Queen Villa: a more upscale and luxurious villa than twin villas, offering larger land size, better design, and more privacy.
• King Villa: the highest-end villa type, often featuring multiple stories, grand entrances, landscaped gardens, and luxury amenities like a pool or home office.

(Example of villa in Cambodia- Source: Borey Chankiri)

Villas are ideal for larger families or individuals seeking space, privacy, and a more exclusive lifestyle. However, because they involve land ownership, foreigners must use legal trust arrangements or Cambodian partners if they wish to purchase villas directly.

5. Borey

A Borey is a planned gated community developed by a private construction company. These communities offer a mix of housing types such as flats, shophouses, twin villas, and standard villas. These communities usually include internal roads, security guards, drainage systems, and shared amenities such as parks, playgrounds, or even schools and shops.

(Examples of Borey and its community- Source: Borey Peng Huoth Beoung Snor)

Boreys have become increasingly popular among local families due to their convenience, affordability, and sense of community. They are typically located on the outskirts of major cities like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, where land is more available. Properties within a borey may be sold under either hard titles or soft titles, depending on the developer and location.

Comparing Property Types in Cambodia

To further simplify the decision-making process, we have created a table to outline the key differences between Cambodia’s main property types for you: 

Cambodia’s property market offers a rich variety of real estate options, each catering to different needs, lifestyles, and legal frameworks. Whether you are seeking an affordable flat in a borey, a stylish condo in Phnom Penh, or a luxurious villa by the beach, understanding the differences between property types is essential before making informed choices.

For buyers and investors, especially foreigners, it is important to understand not only the structure and purpose of a property but also its ownership limitations. Consult with us today before making any purchase. Contact Realestate.com.kh now!

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