Housing
Glossary of Terms
Information courtesy of Metro International, New York, New York.
| Term | Definition |
| A/C | Air Conditioned |
| A g | Agency Agent: An individual or company appointed by the apartment owner to manage the building, collect rents, etc |
| apt | Apartment |
| avail | Available |
| Bars | Security against break-ins when placed over windows |
| bdrm | Bedroom |
| bkr | Broker. An agent appointed by the landlord to show apartment sot prospective tenants and to negotiate leases. A broker will charge the new tenant a fee for his/her services |
| bldg | Building |
| brnstn | Brownstone: A 3-5 floor building, usually without an elevator. So named because of the traditional brown stone or brick façade |
| COED | Both males and females |
| Co-op | An apartment building whose apartments are owned, rather than rented, by the building's tenants |
| Conv trns | Convenient to transportation |
| dr | Dining Room |
| drmn | Doorman; a person employed by the landlord and who is stationed at the main entrance to admit visitors, provide security, and assist tenants by accepting deliveries and hailing taxis |
| D/w | Dishwasher |
| eik | Eat in kitchen; a kitchen large enough to hold a table and chairs |
| eff | A studio apartment |
| elec | Electricity |
| elev | Elevator |
| Fix fee | Fixture fee; the tenant must pay a fee for the appliances provided in the dwelling |
| flr | Floor |
| Flr-thru | Floor-thru; an apartment that occupies the entire floor of a brownstone. |
| fplc | Fireplace |
| Full Kitchen | A kitchen with a full size stove, refrigerator and sink. |
| gal | Female |
| gay | Homosexual |
| G/e | Gas and electricity |
| Hi ceil | High ceilings; an apartment that has high ceilings which are at least 10 feet high |
| Imm occ | Immediate occupancy |
| incin | Incinerator for burning trash |
| incl | Includes or including |
| itercom | A two way communication system with microphones and loud speakers which enables tenants to admit visitors while keeping the main door locked |
| Jr3(4) | A samll kitchen area, usually off of the living room that is large enough to hold a table and chairs |
| landlord | The person who owns the apartment and to whom rent is paid |
| lease | A legal document signed by both the landlord and the tenant, specifying the rent and duration that the premises will be rented. |
| lg | Large |
| loft | An industrial space that has been converted to a living space |
| lux | Refers to a full-service apartment with a 24 hour doorman, laundry room, elevator, and high rent |
| Lvrm; lrm | Living room |
| mo | Monthly |
| Mod appl | Modern appliances |
| No fee | No charge to prospective tenant by a real estate agent or broker |
| Non-smo | A person who does not smoke cigarettes, cigars, etc |
| nr | Near |
| Nwly ren | Newly renovated |
| Owner/mgmt | The owner/Mangement; the owner manages the building rather than designating an agent as intermediary. Often no fee |
| Owner/occ | Owner occupied; the owner lives in the building |
| patio | A paved courtyard |
| penthse | Penthouse; an apartment on the top floor of a building |
| Pk vu | Park view |
| Prem | Premises |
| prewar | An apartment building constructed before World War II; usually indicates large rooms with high ceilings |
| Pvt bath | Private bathroom |
| Pvt rm | Private room |
| Pulmn ki | Pullman kitchen; a small kitchen area that extends along one wall and can usually be closed off by a sliding door |
| Refs reqd | Refrences required |
| ren | Renovated |
| Riv vu | River view |
| rm | Room |
| roommate | A person with whom one shares an apartment |
| Rr flat | Railroad flat; an apartment that requires passing through one room to get to the next |
| sec | Security deposit |
| Sep kit | Separate kitchen |
| share | Arrangement whereby one rents an apartment with someone who already lives in the apartment |
| Sl alcov | Sleep alcove; area large enough for a bed; not a separate room |
| Sleep loft | A platform at least 6 feet above the floor, containing a bed |
| So ex | Southern exposure; an apartment that faces south receives good sunlight |
| straight | Heterosexual |
| studio | A one room apartment with a separate bathroom |
| sty | Story or floor |
| sublet | A procedure by which the legal tenant of an apartment rents this space to someone else |
| Subw; sbw | Subway |
| Tenant | The person who rents an apartment from the landlord |
| tenement | Building with many apartments, most open onto an air shaft |
| terr | Terrace, patio, balcony |
| th | Townhouse |
| tik | Tub in kitchen; an apartment in which the bathtub is located in the kitchen. There will also be a small room containing a toilet and sink |
| 24hr drm | A apartment security service; the doorman is on duty 24 hours |
| twnhse | Townhouse |
| Twofr zone | A location which requires two means of transportation to get into Manhattan |
| util | Utilities (gas and electricity) |
| Util incl | Utilities are included in the monthly rent |
| vic | In the vicinity of; near a designated location |
| vu | View |
| W/ | With |
| Walk-up | A building of 2 to 6 floors without an elevator |
| Wind kit | A kitchen with a window |
|
Wlk in clo |
Walk in closet |
| W/util | The rent includes the cost of gas and electricity |
| xlnt | Excellent |
| Xpos brk | Exsposed brick |
| yng | Young |