Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondaracer
I'm going to be doing all the building/contracting of the suite if we go forward with it.
I'm just wondering as to the legality of there just being a finished basement there one day as opposed to the state it's in now lol
I guess that's just how it's done though for the most part? Who's to say when it was built or put in
|
I don't represent the city, but my experience stems from having a legal basement suite, and seeing my cousin get a notice from the city saying "do these things to make your basement suite legal", or "remove the cellar kitchen and its cooking facilities" (quoted from the letter).
Finishing the basement is perfectly acceptable, but if you put in kitchen facilities, the city will want their cut
if they find out. The city will send an inspector to make sure it meets various building-code requirements for a suite, make you apply for a license officially recognizing your suite (you will end up paying more property taxes), and an annual business license. These steps will be required whether you rent it out or not!
What boggles my mind is that you see numerous houses for sale with an ad that says "unauthorized basement suite: 1". Why does the city not go after these people?