Apartments and pets (for rent, townhouse, floors)

[nmh1974]

I am not American and am a little confused by the 'dog friendly' apartments that I am seeing for rent in the Twin Cities. I imagine they are possibly in a building that occupies a number of floors and you wouldn't have your own outside space/yard. What is it called if you have an apartment on the ground floor that may have a little courtyard/enclosed garden? Townhouse? Duplex? Flat? Is there such a thing.....or is that just called a house?? Thanks!!

[cptnD]

"Dog friendly" typically just means that dogs (or other pets) are welcome. There is often an additional deposit required and even pet rent that can be non-refundable. A garden apartment could be a first floor unit with private access to an outdoor space. A townhouse is a unit attached to other units one one side or both. Like an apartment, they may share walls on the left, right, or both. Typically, you'll have something like off-street parking, designated parking spaces, or a small driveway. You may also have a small patio and/or small backyard space, sometimes separated by a fence. A duplex is a house with two units attached to each other. They share a wall in the middle and separate entrances. Sometimes they will have a yard in front/back with a small driveway or other parking space. A flat is just an apartment in America.

[nmh1974]

Thanks so much - much clearer to me now!