Common Area (real estate)

In real estate, a common area refers to all portions of a common interest subdivision that are owned or used collectively by the individual property owners, rather than by any single owner. This typically includes areas such as hallways, lobbies, recreational facilities, parking areas, landscaping, and other shared amenities, excluding the separately owned units or lots. Common areas are usually maintained and managed by a homeowners’ association or similar governing body, with the costs shared among the owners through assessments. The rights and responsibilities associated with common areas are generally defined in the development’s governing documents, such as the CC&R’s.