Second homes are subject to a number of provincial, territorial or municipal requirements, including: Before, during and after the construction of your second home, pay attention to all provincial and municipal regulations that also affect you. Once built, your secondary suite will likely be re-inspected. According to the British Columbia Building Code, a secondary suite is an additional living space to the owner`s primary residence that must not exceed 90 square metres or 40% of the living space, whichever is lower. Adding a legal suite can also reduce the cost of homeownership, making it attractive to buyers when buying a home, as its affordable price can increase. If your suite turns out to be illegal, you will be forced to make renovations to change the suite or remove it from your home. This can be costly and affect your coverage. Be sure to be careful before buying a home and ask that the documents be properly reviewed to determine whether the side suite is legal or not. The reality in and around Metro Vancouver is that 80% of rental apartments are unauthorized. Most of them don`t follow all the rules, but they continue to be praised with little or no problems.
Nowadays, it`s not uncommon for homeowners to subsidize their mortgage payments by building and renting a secondary suite in their home. While becoming a homeowner and dealing with tenants has its own advantages and challenges, there are a few important factors you need to consider before taking a hammer off existing walls. Knowing what bureaucracy to manage should be your first step in making sure your sub-suite is legally approved. This blog reviews the difference between a legal suite and an unauthorized suite. You will know if renting an unauthorized suite is considered acceptable, as well as the benefits of a legal suite. A secondary suite must be attached to the main family home, but it functions as a self-contained suite with separate kitchen, bathroom and at least one bedroom and entrance. Often, there may be common areas between the residents of the secondary suite and the family home, such as a laundry room, garages or laundry rooms. The content of the blog provided is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to do their own research and consult with legal or financial advisory professionals. However, if the suite is legal, a home buyer can use the projected rental income from the suite in addition to their personal income to qualify for a mortgage on that particular property. A home with a legal secondary suite or garden suite can help a potential buyer who may need more income to afford a home in a more desirable neighborhood. A secondary suite is a self-contained apartment located in a family home and with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
It must be connected to the main dwelling and its size is limited according to the size of the main dwelling. Secondary suites are allowed in most residential areas, with the exception of townhouses and multi-family complexes. The suite should have a sink, bath or shower, toilet and toilet – keep in mind that the last three tend to go together. It is important to note that duplexes or houses with an existing garden suite may not also have a secondary suite. If a house has a second suite, the principal residence must be occupied by the owner. No. While some homes may have a legal suite and an unauthorized suite, the city will not legalize two suites in a single-family home. Secondary suites must comply with the provisions of the Suites Bulletin.
In addition to area-specific issues that need to be addressed, local regulations can limit things like the size and location of the secondary suite on your property, the type of parking space the owner must legally provide, and more. The suite must also have at least one access door leading directly in front of the apartment. An interactive map showing the location of legal residential suites (suites built under a building permit and in accordance with zoning regulations). Homeowners with a legal residential suite can use this tool to stand out in the rental market. Tenants looking for rental properties can use the map to see if a suite is legal and has been built in accordance with the requirements of the British Columbia Building Code as part of a building permit. • Reduce complaints from neighbors – A legalized suite allows you to respond adequately to your tenants so that their impact on the neighborhood is minimal. By legalizing your suite, you provide ample parking so that the impact on the neighborhood and the street is minimal. A summary of the engineering design requirements in the British Columbia Building Code for secondary apartments.
Depending on the location of your home, there are different zoning laws that you need to follow. Some areas don`t allow a secondary suite, so be sure to check your local regulations before you start building a secondary suite. • Occupant Safety – When legalizing your suite, adhere to a variety of safety standards that provide residents with a minimum level of health and safety. Are rentals or leases signed between a landlord and tenants staying in the owners` suites valid if the suite(s) are illegal? It is important to also understand the terms of your insurance policy. If you do not give your secondary suite to your insurer, you risk losing your coverage completely due to the termination of the contract. Not only are there provincial requirements for a legal suit, but municipal by-laws also play a role in determining legality. Do you want to add a suite or renovate an existing room as a secondary suite? For homes built after July 1, 2000, the new building must comply with current British Columbia building codes. While for homes built before July 1, 2000, homeowners may have more flexible options for complying with building codes, as older homes often have lower ceilings or narrow hallways, which would be very expensive for homeowners.
If the property you are interested in has a sequel, but the suite is not legal, you will not be able to report the potential rental income from the suite if you qualify for your mortgage. However, you may most likely still be able to rent the suite (even if it`s illegal). However, if you are heavily dependent on rental income from an illegal suite, it may be too risky financially if you lose the rental income. It`s important to talk to your mortgage broker and take the time to review your finances. Hi Donna, thank you for reading my blog post! I recommend that you contact your community to see if your suite complies with zoning laws. Next, you want to confirm that the suite complies with the British Columbia Building Code and has all the appropriate permits There are provincial and municipal regulations that you must follow, with various permits and inspections required.
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