Renting a basement apartment
Turning a basement into an apartment can add livable space to a house and possibly earn extra income. Converting a basement, however, requires careful planning by the owner of the building to ensure that the new apartment not only provides desirable amenities but meets all local zoning and building safety codes.
Instructions
Instructions and Guidelines
1. Your home must be in a zone that allows basement apartments for public rental. Drop the project if it's not legal to make your basement into an apartment.
Find out from the local building department whether you need an architect to draw plans to obtain a building permit. Hire a general contractor if you don't have the experience to do this kind of remodeling. A contractor has the experience needed to coordinate the various trades--carpenters, plumbers, electricians and heating specialists.
2. Most local ordinances will require a building permit for this scope of work.
Consider what alterations are needed to make your basement into an apartment. An apartment needs a living area, bathroom, kitchen, and at least one separate entrance from outside. A typical tenant will want at least one private bedroom. If appropriate, you can provide laundry facilities.
If your basement doesn't have plumbing for a kitchen and bath, you'll need a plumber to install toilet, sinks, bathtub and maybe a dishwasher. Provide a parking space or two.
Make sure the ceiling is high enough. Building codes usually require a minimum of 7 to 7.5 feet, although limited areas for overhead pipes and ductwork usually can be lower.
The building code may require two exits, but in some jurisdictions an easily accessible window might be acceptable as a second exit.
3. Check for leaks and dampness that can lead to illness-causing mildew and mold.
Building codes have minimum ventilation requirements for any livable spaces. Bathrooms and kitchens may have additional exhaust requirements.
Consider allowing more natural light into the basement. Most basements have small windows that may not meet the building code requirements for providing natural light to every habitable room. You may need to install or enlarge window wells to accommodate larger windows, a potentially expensive proposition.
4. You probably will need to update the wiring for additional receptacles, lighting, switches and appliances. You will want to make sure the new electrical work does not overload the existing service to the building. You may need to hire a licensed electrician. Regardless of the code, however, hire an electrician if you don't have experience with electrical work.
5. Many basements lack finished ceilings, but chances are the building code will require a plaster or gypsum-board ceiling as fire separation between the new apartment and first floor. You may want to add insulation or acoustical tiles to help soundproof the basement apartment. Also be sure to firestop with noncombustible materials any openings--for example, for pipes or ductwork--where fire and smoke might find a way to the floor above.
You may need to enclose a furnace or boiler with noncombustible materials. Fit a metal shield loosely around the boiler, furnace or smoke pipe, providing 1 to 2 inches of air space. Stuff small blocks of noncombustible material between the metal shield and flammable materials such as wood.
6. Heating may be essential at least part of the year. Consider installing a separate furnace, or tie new ductwork or radiators into your existing furnace or boiler if the capacity is there. Other options include individual electric heaters or a radiant floor that emits heat.
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