Looking for additional income, or want to fund other projects in your home? Developing an income property such as a basement apartment or suite is a fantastic way to add a bit more comfort to your home while putting a bit of money in your pocket.
If you’ve been eyeing an unfinished basement for a while, unsure of what to do with the space, creating a comfortable space to rent out might be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Basement finishing, upgrades, and renovations can transform your basement into a luxurious suite, perfect for renting out to students or young professionals.
If you’re not using your basement, or you rarely use it, you can transform it into a useful and profitable living space.
With your new basement suite, you can:
Keep in mind, you can renovate part of your basement to create an income suite while reserving more space for a rec room, storage, or a luxurious laundry room.
Income suites often wind up paying for themselves.
What’s more, if you find that playing landlord at your own home isn’t for you, a basement suite is perfect for hosting guests for longer stays and ensuring everyone’s extremely comfortable.
The more features you include in your basement suite, the happier prospective tenants will be to rent your unit, and at a higher price.
It goes without saying that you’ll need at least one bedroom and a full bathroom, as well as a kitchen area. But beyond that, there are plenty of additional features to consider:
An income property in your basement should be more than a place to sleep. As much as it’s a home for your tenants, it’s also a reflection of your design tastes and styles, especially if you plan on using it to host guests in the future.
Consider these design tips when creating plans for your basement renovations:
Low ceilings in basements will turn off potential renters. Basement apartments should have ceilings no less than seven feet for more than 75% of the space. And the higher the ceilings, the better.
Adding height to ceilings is a matter of digging down into the ground to lower the basement floor. Also, consider using recessed lighting to maintain the ceiling height.
Open-concept layouts are ideal for basement apartments, whether you have separate bedrooms or a studio apartment. Keep bedrooms as far away from the entrance as possible. Keep the kitchen and living space near the entrance to maintain an open-concept layout.
Basement bedrooms can be very cozy.
The total square footage of the basement will determine how many bedrooms you can create. While building walls and separate bedrooms takes more time and money than creating a studio apartment, you will be able to earn a higher rental income with each additional bedroom.
Consider adding heated flooring in the bathroom, laundry room, and entryway. Heated flooring throughout is even better, especially if you have hardwood flooring and tiles.
Keep the paint colours warm and neutral to please all prospective tenants and avoid the need to repaint.
If you already have a laundry room in the basement, consider converting the laundry room into the kitchen since the plumbing already exists there. And to save space, get a stackable washer/dryer and a combo heater/boiler.
Once you’ve decided on the general layout of your basement apartment, it’s time to create a floor plan with the help of trusted contractors like the team here at Sunter Homes.
To ensure your tenants are happy and your basement apartment is in top condition, make sure your renovations are 100% safe and legal. Check with your municipality first to see what the requirements are for building a rental unit in your basement.
Hire an engineer, architect, or a qualified person with a Building Code Inspection Number (BCIN) to create the plans for the project and ensure the plans are to code. You will need these plans to apply for the required building permits before you start your basement renovations.
To add lasting value to your basement apartment:
Other ways to add value to your basement suit include:
While a fireplace is not a must-have for a basement suite, it sure helps to add luxury appeal. So consider installing a gas fireplace to impress renters and make the unit feel cozier.
Consider making your basement apartment accessible for tenants who are elderly, in wheelchairs, or who have other physical disabilities. Universal designs include:
All basement apartments must have a means of egress—a safe, unobstructed exit in the event of a fire or other emergency. Most tenants would also prefer to have a separate entrance to their apartment than have to use the house’s main entrance.
The entrance should be the first item on your to-do list when it’s time to start the renovation. A separate entrance to your basement will save you and your contractors time and energy since you won’t have to go through your house each time you want to enter the basement.
It also saves you from having to clean up a mess each day in your home and in your newly renovated basement.
Never ignore accessible design.
To install an exterior asement entrance, your contractors will need to:
Of course, you might also simply install a staircase in your home and another entry way by that staircase. Talking to renovation experts can help you determine the best plan of attack and find a solution that works for you.
While a lot of work goes into planning and executing basement renovations, the end result pays off when you start earning a steady monthly rental income. So transform your barely-used basement into a useful, comfortable living space that will make you money for years to come.