Written by Are you planning to convert your single-family home to a dual occupancy home? This is one of the popular home renovation ideas nowadays. However, just like other forms of home renovations, transforming a single-family home into a dual-occupancy home can be complicated.
Usually, homeowners opt for this type of home renovation to either make a profit or welcome extended family into their property. If your goal is to make a profit, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss some tips you should consider when converting your house into a dual occupancy home.
1. Understand Local Zoning Laws
As you know, there are local zoning laws and regulations implemented in various areas. Some of these include permit applications, zoning requirements, and building permits. In terms of the zoning requirement, some areas don’t easily allow dual occupancy homes and require special permits. As the homeowner, you should be aware of these things, especially since the conversion is a complicated one.
So before you get started, it’s essential to get all the necessary permits and get to know the limitations of the renovation you can do to your property.
2. Plan the Layout
Planning the layout is another essential thing to prepare. If you don’t have one, it can be difficult to assess whether the area is functional and livable. As you know, dual occupancy homes are two dwellings in one property so there should be two entrances, and exits, and one unit should be completely independent of the other.
In some cases, dual occupancy homes are completely separated, but built in the same property. However, in your case, there’s a wall that separates the two dwellings.
3. Budget Wisely
Converting a single-family home to a dual-occupancy home can be costly, so be sure to plan your expenses wisely. Consider various factors, including permit fees, construction costs, and emergency funds. Of course, you need to break down the cost into details depending on your layout, and the area that will be converted.
If you think your budget isn’t enough, you can try getting a second mortgage, especially since you’re planning to make a profit by renting the space out.
4. Focus on Quality
Even if you’re planning to rent the place out, it’s still your responsibility to maintain the house. So make sure that the conversion isn’t just about the design, but it should also have good quality materials and construction.
Aside from the foundation, the finish, ventilation, energy efficiency, and overall appeal should be attractive enough that people can rent the place out for a long time.
5. Hire Professionals
When it comes to house conversion, there are specific professionals you should hire. Usually, some architects and builders specialise in home conversion. So, if you want to have a successful construction, hire those that have the same vision as yours.
When looking for experts, don’t forget to look at their previous projects, and see if they already have experience when it comes to converting single-family homes to dual occupancy homes.
6. Enhance Kerb Appeal
Since you’re planning to rent the space out, you also need to invest in enhancing the kerb appeal of your dual occupancy home. The kerb appeal is one of the most essential factors that helps attract more tenants.
As you know, the first impression matters. When a prospective tenant cheques the place out, the first thing they see is the kerb appeal or the exterior. If they feel like it’s well-maintained, they’ll be more eager to check the interior.
7. Plan for Parking
Dual occupancy homes should always have some space for parking. Since there are two separate dwellings in one property, consider the size that will be left out when planning the layout of your conversion. If you think the initial build of the old house is too big, you can reduce it to a size that will give enough parking space for both houses.
8. Consider Maintenance
Renting a place out means you don’t have control over the daily maintenance of the property. However, as the landowner, it’s your job to have parts of the property fixed and upgraded. Think of a long-term maintenance plan, not just for the financial aspect, but also for the layout and materials used for the property conversion.
9. Market Effectively
Once the home conversion is done, ensure to market the place effectively. Effective marketing helps you increase the number of potential tenants and build trust among locals. Provide detailed listing, professionally taken photos, and complete contact information, so you won’t miss any enquiries and suggestions.
Additionally, don’t forget to host an open house, so that interested tenants can have access to the actual house.
Final Thoughts
Converting a single-family home to a dual occupancy home can be a daunting task, but it can also be rewarding in the long run. By considering the tips listed above, you can plan and achieve a successful home conversion.
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