Basement apartments are a great way for renters to gain cheep, affordable space in very hip urban cities like Boston and New York City. Renting basement areas out is a great way for owners and landlords to make storage space usable with a simple basement-refinishing project. With the rise of these “basement conversion” apartments, cities and towns are now enforcing laws regarding habitable space, and basement-waterproofing companies are urging them to listen.
An apartment in an exciting urban area is great to have, but if the apartment you’re buying was constructed prematurely and not brought up to code, your apartment can be a very unsafe place for you and your family.
When you have your basement inspected before finishing make sure that you have enough head height to accommodate refinishing in the first place. A full head height basement ranges (by state) between 7′-9′. If you install a drop ceiling or a rigid board ceiling, your “after head height” has to allow for access to pipes and still allow for a person to stand with no obstructions. Each town has different ordinances so check with your local building inspectors before starting construction.
Continue reading ‘Basement Apartments For Rent – What Owners Should Know Before Renting’ »