Renting out English basements

We’ve made an offer on a home that has an English basement. Our plan was to turn that level into a rental and keep the two upper floors for an owner’s duplex. But I’m really concerned about the ceiling height on that level. It’s all under 7 feet, and on top of this there are some pipes that would need to be moved. Our home inspector told us it’s within the legal limits, but it still seems super low to me to make a true livable space. Without the basement, it’s just two stories and basically a single-family home, which makes it radically overpriced. Just wondering if there are other folks here who have legal garden-level rentals with low ceilings. How low are they and how much does that affect the market value of the rents?

workerb

in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 6 months ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

Newest Oldest

workerb | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5114 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4877 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "44606"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "workerb"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "workerb"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "kmcgowan16@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/workerb/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:34:58"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "workerb"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(44606)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks for the response pig-three. Forgive the ignorance but I thought the DOB records woudl reflect the legality. If not the DOB, how exactly do I establish whether it’s a “legal” two family? Building is too old so there is no CofO.

pigthree | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5113 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

plus, the reconfiguring would trigger an inspection – forcing you to bring to current two family code.

pigthree | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4877 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4884 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

forgot, my home was built in 1880

pigthree | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5114 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

how do you know it is a legal two family? sounds very similar to my home.  was taxed as a two, set up as a two, listed at dob as a two.  legal one family. tax class, at one time, was determined by tax man walking around and counting the number of door bells on a home. dob records are notoriously screwed up. do not assume, or listed to a broker, or home inspector for that matter.   how many gas meters, electric meters? has the house been appraised yet?

workerb | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4884 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5115 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "44606"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "workerb"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "workerb"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "kmcgowan16@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/workerb/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:34:58"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "workerb"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(44606)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks for your responses everyone. Just to be clear – this building, while it has no CofO since it’s more than 100 yrs old, IS a legal 2 family. Our intention was simply to move the rental from the top floor to the ground floor. When I said it’s “basiaclly a single-family” without the basement, what I meant was that it realistically should be used as a one family, even though it’s still legally a two. Even without habitable space on the ground level, it still would have 1 apt on the parlor floor, and another on the 2nd floor. But to me, that’s just too small to live in comfortably – at least not at this price range.

pigthree | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4877 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

thought the new legal height minimum is 8′.  if its only a one family, you will have to change/get a c of o for a two family.  translates to cost of digging down if it is in fact 8′.  if the house is a legal one, it should be priced that way.  not priced at what it could become.  home inspectors are usually wrong about everything.  consult with an architect.  cant beleive i just wrote that :/

dazednconfused2 | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209624"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BghKLTB3pwiNsI5BhQ/fSb/bBQWxiL0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "un.perceived@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-04 18:01:21"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209624)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Code states that a habitable space must have an 8′-0″ ceiling minimum.  As far as the DOB is concerned, it’s not living space.  No apartment.

Kateruba | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4877 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4884 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "110506"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "Kateruba"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BrNZIKQ.QHfs2l3.JGI0rwv0B98.RI/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "kateruba"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "katerinamooo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/kateruba/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:33:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "Kateruba"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(110506)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I am not sure about basements specifically – but using the house beyong the legal desgination of the number of  families is another consideration you should make. I recently asked a question related to that – http://forum.brownstoner.com/question/3WJ3*t1ZsaA=/using-2-family-townhouse-as-a-3-family If you decide that this space is unlivable, perhaps you can rent it out as an artist’s studio?

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

More importantly, what does the C of O and the DOF say about this being a 2 family?  If it’s not, you could get into a legal hassle with a future tenant. Price is very neighborhood dependant.

Rick | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1470"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "Rick"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BAu.JvH2s1Xx4WSWCj1RPGTP7/OK53/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "rick"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "r.ladd.bklyn@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(46) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/rick/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:46"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Rick"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1470)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Are you in a hip location?  If not, start digging!