[TrickyRicky]

Additional problems with basement apartments is sometimes the regulations are unclear and passing inspection is often entirely based on which inspector you get and what he had for lunch.

The argument against basement apartments from a health and safety perspective is disproven by the facts on the ground. There are countless dodgy illegal basement apartments throughout the GTA with gross code and health and safety violations. The net result of all this activity is that once every few years someone dies in a house fire where there is a basement apartment, usually having nothing directly to do with the state of apartment in question. I'm not arguing that apartments shouldn't be legalized or that we shouldn't strive for excellence in the state of construction and repair of said units but that the arguments against them are weak.

 

[ShonTron]

There needs to be a blanket amnesty on these, with the following conditions:
- That basic fire code standards are met - basically two easily acessible modes of egress (with properly insulated separation between household units), that smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and in working order, and that electrical and plumbing are up to snuff.
- Inspections permissable with 24 or 48 hours notice.
- That either there's room on the driveway for a car for the secondary residence, or provision for a street parking permit (I don't know why people can park on the street in Toronto and not in 905 with a permit) or not allowing parking as part of the rent agreement. (Parking is a common reason for NIMBYs against basement apartments).

At least the fire department and city knows there is a unit occupied, in case of emergency or for service planning.

 

[Desi_Doubkle]

There needs to be a blanket amnesty on these, with the following conditions:
- That basic fire code standards are met - basically two easily acessible modes of egress (with properly insulated separation between household units), that smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and in working order, and that electrical and plumbing are up to snuff.
- Inspections permissable with 24 or 48 hours notice.
- That either there's room on the driveway for a car for the secondary residence, or provision for a street parking permit (I don't know why people can park on the street in Toronto and not in 905 with a permit) or not allowing parking as part of the rent agreement. (Parking is a common reason for NIMBYs against basement apartments).

At least the fire department and city knows there is a unit occupied, in case of emergency or for service planning.

you need a permit for street parking in TO? oops lol everyone here do it and noone heard of a permit

 

[Jarrek]

it was only a small house we had before (1800 square feet), but its basement felt massive.


3 bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, full washroom, wood fireplace in a huge family room.

It was literally a 2nd house..

Yeah, I'm not surprised why you got so much for it.

I'm in the long process of renovating my triplex. When I tackle the basement it will be fire and soundproofed between floors using mineral wool insulation. Everything else though is up to snuff - fire rated doors, multiple CO2, Fire and Nautral Gas detectors, Fire Extinguishers. I rewired 75% of the house when we moved in, installed new panels, etc.

I'm also looking into the possibility of installing a geo-thermal furnace.

 

[Admiral Beez]

you need a permit for street parking in TO? oops lol everyone here do it and noone heard of a permit

I pay about $100 a year for my on-street parking permit in Cabbagetown.

The real rip off is the $120 I must pay the city to cover driveway widening. Meanwhile, my neighbour's house was designed for two car parking in front, and they don't have to pay.

 

[Jarrek]

I pay about $100 a year for my on-street parking permit in Cabbagetown.

The real rip off is the $120 I must pay the city to cover driveway widening. Meanwhile, my neighbour's house was designed for two car parking in front, and they don't have to pay.

Are you the one rebuilding the curb?

 

[Admiral Beez]

Are you the one rebuilding the curb?

We didn't touch the curb, as we simply drive up the existing ramp, and park out in front of the porch. Since we've had the widening permit since before 1998, I think we've more than paid for any city expense, had the curb been done, which it hasn't.

There shouldn't be a charge for parking your car on your own property, provided it's a legally defined spot, and not your front lawn, for example (unless the city determined that your front lawn is a legal parking spot). I'd propose a new system, wherein the city determines if you can widen your driveway to make space for two cars, issues a one-time fee for the review, and then leaves you alone.