Building A Secondary Suite in Your Home

Are you thinking of converting your basement or garage into a rental?  T hen you are looking   at building a secondary suite in your home.                                                                                                           

What exactly is a secondary suite? A secondary suite occurs when there is another dwelling unit on the same property aside from the primary dwelling. The primary dwelling, the main house, is occupied by the homeowner. The other dwelling unit is usually occupied by a tenant, hence the name secondary suite. The secondary suite is treated as a separate dwelling unit and is self-contained. It should have its own kitchen, washroom and bedrooms.    

 

Here are some factors to consider for your secondary suite:

Zoning

Check that your jurisdiction allows you to have a secondary suite in your lot. Zoning policies typically require that parking be provided for a secondary suite. Also, check your community. Even if you are allowed to have a suite in your home, it is possible that your neighbors might oppose. There is a perception that rental properties in a residential neighborhood will decrease the property’s value.  

Building Code

Building code requirements are actually intensive when it comes to secondary suites. The basic tenet of the code is to protect public safety. There are minimum requirements in the provincial code that should be met. The following are examples. The suite should have its own separate entrance/ exit. The exit is usually the stairs that leads to an exterior door. Another requirement is the heating, ventilation and air conditioning   (HVAC) is a separate system from the main dwelling.

Size

There is a maximum area that you will be allowed to build. This depends on the size of your lot and the zoning.  Typically for rentals, you should plan an area of 700 SF to 800 SF. This square footage can provide a kitchen, one to 2 bedrooms, a washroom and a living space.

 

Types of Suite

A detached suite is separate from your main house but still within the same property. This can be a detached garage and it can have a loft as long as you don’t exceed allowable height. The basement suite is the basement in the main house. The basement suite is a popular choice for most homeowners.  

 

Cost

Building a suite is not cheap. You need to ensure that you have budgeted properly for the construction. For a basement, it is easier if all the utilities is already roughed in. The types of finishes contribute to the cost. Typical finishes for living spaces is a good quality carpet and painted walls, the kitchen counter can be plastic laminate with the kitchen flooring as vinyl.  Detached suites right away are more costly. Think of it as a separate small house altogether that you need to provide the utilities and still finish off the space.

 

In conclusion, the revenue of your suite is dependent on location, size and the facilities.  A one bedroom suite can rent out for a minimum of $800 a month and a 2 bedroom a minimum of $1,100. This revenue should eventually pay off for your construction. Once your construction cost is paid off, the secondary suite can generate its own income and be sustainable. You can now put your feet up, call yourself a landlord and count the money that will roll in!

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