What Is A Mother In-Law Suite?

Many homeowners are beginning to look at non-traditional plans for their homes by adding on a suite or apartment for either income or for a family member. Millions of families have more than one generation living with them; adding a Mother in law suite to your home may be a good option for your family.

A Mother in law suite or mother in law apartments, also known as in-law suites or a granny flat can be either attached or detached from the primary residence. A typical “suite” would include a bedroom, a small kitchenette, a living space and a private bathroom. These suites make it possible for an extended family member to live close by to have interaction with family yet live independently from the main family home. When not being used by a family member these suites or additions can be rented out to provide an extra source of income.

When looking at adding or remodeling for a Mother in law apartment you must look at the existing lay out of your home and make some decisions. Do you want the suite to have a separate entrance? Do you want it to be stair-free (something to think about with aging parents)? Is there available space in your basement or over the garage? Is it better to have a detached “guest home” to use as the in-law suite? There are many options and things to consider. Consulting with a licensed contractor will give you your best insight into what is a feasible plan and affordable to your budget. Also you must be sure you adhere to your local building codes.

The benefits of having a “secondary” suite, a term that defines an additional unit on a property that only has one residence, is that it provides a lot of options for homeowners. Many homeowners have elderly parents that cannot live alone anymore or require frequent check-ins. Having mom and/or dad living close yet allowing them to maintain their privacy and independence is becoming more common and a nice benefit of having an in-law suite. For other families having this type of secondary suite may be beneficial if you need to have a caregiver living with you such as a live-in caregiver for elderly parents or a nanny for your children. This could provide on-site housing for caregivers. Many homeowners are looking for a good investment and adding a mother-in-law apartment to your home could produce extra income from either renting it out or adding value to your property when you sell your home. 

The cons of having an additional housing space, such as a granny flat is that you may attract some unwanted guests. If you’re building it specifically for a parent, nanny or other special circumstances you will want to be clear with family and friends over your plans. This will give others time to understand that your new space is not a temporary housing situation for everyone. The other con of having a secondary suite is when you do want to sell your home it may detract some buyers depending on what they are looking for. Some buyers will not look at your house if they see it has a Mother in law apartment, which could be a con if you ever want to sell your home. However, many buyers may be intrigued by the possibilities that owning a home with this secondary suite has.

Choosing to add a Mother in law suite to your home is a big decision. Detailed planning is important to ensure that your new suite is customized to your needs. Before beginning any home project check on your local requirements for the construction process. Having this secondary housing can provide many opportunities for homeowners, ultimately producing a lot of options for its use.