Describing Homes: what’s a 3 1/2 and all those numbers means.
February 25, 2009 by Deyanira Bautista
Filed under Buying Real Estate, Featured
If you are new to Montreal, you’ve probably seen the descriptions for the living space, apartments or homes, signs with 2 ½, or 5 ½ as opposed to “one bedroom condo/home” or “3 bedroom apartment” sort of thing. If you haven’t figured it out yet, here is a quick (and hopefully clear) explanation.
Understanding the way we describe apartments in Montreal can be quite simple once you keep these tips in mind.
First and foremost, remember that the “1/2″ half part, always refers to a bathroom.
After that, every room is counted.
For example:
One (closed) bedroom apartment with a separate kitchen is considered often as a 3 ½. Here is the count:
1 room for living/dining space.
1 room for the kitchen,
1 room for the bedroom.
½ the “half” – which is the bathroom.
Smaller units are quite simple:
1 ½ is often a studio. One large room with a separate bathroom.
2 ½ could be either a closed bedroom with open concept kitchen/living/dining room or could also mean a studio with a closed kitchen. In this case the bedroom and living/dining spaces are all open.
For the 4 ½ , is often referred to a 2 bedroom unit but it can also mean: a one bedroom, separate kitchen, living room, dining room and a bathroom (total 4 rooms and ½). It’s always good to ask how many closed bedrooms it has.
5 ½, same thing. 5 divided rooms and a bathroom.
Variations: 3 bedrooms, living/dining room (in one space), separate kitchen and bathroom.
There are many variations to the larger units, from 5 ½ and up. To know what kind of apartment you’re about to see, it will only take one question: How many closed bedrooms? Then you can do your own math from there.
Keep in mind that sometimes an apartment (or house) can be described as a 2 or 3 bedroom unit BUT if one of those closed room do not have its own window should not be considered a bedroom.
Opinions and amplifications are encouraged in the comments!
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Posted by: Deya Bautista - Affiliated Real Estate Agent working as part of the McGill Immobilier team. Specializing in condos and revenue property in the metropolitan area of Montreal. For buying or selling contact Deya at: 514.917.7889 
Yes, the naming standard is pretty confusing. It's a bit like the French system, where they do 1 pièce, 2 pièces, 3 pièces, except that they drop the half for the bathroom, because it's sous-entendu (implied) I guess.
What I find annoying in the Montreal naming standard is when you have 2 bathrooms in a 2-bedroom for example. Most listings will list this apartment as a 4 and a half even though it's clearly a 5.
Good blog, love it.
Yes, the naming standard is pretty confusing. It's a bit like the French system, where they do 1 pièce, 2 pièces, 3 pièces, except that they drop the half for the bathroom, because it's sous-entendu (implied) I guess.
What I find annoying in the Montreal naming standard is when you have 2 bathrooms in a 2-bedroom for example. Most listings will list this apartment as a 4 and a half even though it's clearly a 5.
Good blog, love it.
I was just as confused when I first came to Montreal. But once someone gave me the trick of counting the half first, I was doing ok figuring the whole thing out. The worst thing is when it's described as…a big 3 1/2 or a small 4 1/2. Uh? Which one is it? Then you visit the place and find out it only has one closed room, but a potential to make another room by doing some renovation or placing dividers.
Deya,
all this 1/2 stuff relates to bathrooms. Seems like a half assed way to decribe an important room. But such is Canada. They have cognitive problems with "ensuite" on the prairies. :>)
Hahahaha.
Definitely agree with you on that one. Kitchens and bathroom should be given priority, or at least a better name for the "half"
Nice to see you visiting here!
I was just as confused when I first came to Montreal. But once someone gave me the trick of counting the half first, I was doing O.K figuring the whole thing out. The worst thing is when it's described as…a big 3 1/2 or a small 4 1/2. Uh? Which one is it? Then you visit the place and find out it only has one closed room, but a potential to make another room by doing some renovation or placing dividers.
it's probably a new low to suggest this, but what happened to the words, 4 piece bathroom, 2 piece bathroom, bathroom with shower and lest we forget – "ensuite"?
BTW: That wasn't wind you heard, that was Realtors in Bienfait, Sask. whining at the word "ensuite". :>)
To add colour, there are colloquial versions that might help our marketing efforts.
A few that come to mind are loo, watercloset, WC, shitter, crapper and in the extreme – outhouse!
It is important to note if the outhouse is a 2 hole'r. Many consider this added value as it is one of the few places where you can bond as you share the experience.
Hahahaha.
Definitely agree with you on that one. Kitchens and bathroom should be given priority, or at least a better name for the "half"
Nice to see you visiting here!
Hi, I am from Venezuela!!!
I would like to rent apartment furnished because i am going with nothing, what do you recomend me?
Thank you for that useful information, and its actually funny that the half is always related to the bathroom. I think that this post will help many that have no clue about this figures.