All have doors directly to the outside of the building, rather than into a 'close', or common staircase, although some do retain a shared entrance.
These were phased out by most urban local authorities as wasteful of space and economy after central government subsidies were reduced in the 1924 Housing Act.
The majority consist of four dwellings per block (which appear like semi-detached houses), although such buildings are sometimes in the form of longer terraces.
Cottage flats are the predominant form of housing in many parts of Glasgow, including Knightswood, Mosspark, Croftfoot and Carntyne.
Some of the model dwellings in Noel Park, London are cottage flats, typically in the middle of ordinary terraced housing.