Comments on: Dear PoPville – Question about Renting Basements

By: Handyman

Handyman — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:20:06 +0000

NETWORKING FAIL.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:13:39 +0000

Gosh, was it necessary to point out that he’s Indian? Because that sounds like r-a-c-i-s-m to me!!!!

By: Handyman

Handyman — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:43:27 +0000

OP, I need housing in August, potentially. I don’t care if it’s got a CoO, stairs to the top unit, or anything else like that. That, and I am SO not litigious. I resent the tedious process as much as you do. Let’s grab coffee?

By: OP

OP — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:07:43 +0000

Just to close out – this thread proves the underlying point of hmh question. Few understand the process, even those who are using it. DCRA, any hope of consolidating the dozens of steps and cost necessary?
And yes, I spent considerable time investigating whether my basement was permitted and up to code before I purchased it. I knew it was not. I don’t have to rent it. But since I’d like to, and legally. What I did not anticipate was the significant cost and time sink to get basement nicer that 90 percent on the market cleared to rent – I knew the basic process and requirements, but find this excessive for someone who is trying to do the right thing. I am happy to get one inspection, or 2, not six. I am happy to get a few permits, not a dozen. It’s not like my situation is unique. The city has thousands of homeowners in my situation. They’d have a safer (and more economically beneficial) rental market if they’d streamline. Make it easier for them to tell me what needs fixing.

By: donnie simpson

donnie simpson — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 11:09:48 +0000

why put yourself through the hassel find a rental who knows upfront what the deal is and keep it moving. city only does that to tack on more property taxes to you at the end of the day

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 06:07:53 +0000

Wow; all this inaccurate information is funny & freightning at the same time.

(I’m a legal landlord of a 2 unit property with all the required paperwork an units bein in compliance)

OP: Unfortunately for you is tat you bought a house that was renovated without going through the proper process. Did you even bother to ask if the basement was legal?

Also, if it is too much trouble or cost too much to do in your opinion just don’t rent it.

Why regulations; that is a funny one. Why should we have any building codes or regulations.

Plainly put if you want to be a landlord and you want to make that green stuff off of who you’d pawn off as a apartment under your house you better make sure it is up to code and in compliance with te regulations.

Do A LOT of people do it illegally with none of the above. Yes, but they are only ONE incident away from a problem with a tenant, their insurance company and/or the city.

It’s your choice if you decide to take he risk. Just be ready to accept the consequences.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 02:57:55 +0000

You absolutely do not need a separate meter. Look it up.

By: Liz

Liz — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:48:08 +0000

We were going to get the C of O for our basement, until we found out it would need a separate meter, which apparently would be very expensive electrical work.
A very wise person told me this – the biggest risk you have renting out your apartment without a C of O is having a tenant that refuses to leave. In that situation, usually the only effective way to get them out is to pay them a month plus of rent (especially with pro-tenant laws in DC). This would still be considerably cheaper than doing all the work needed in most DC basements.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:35:38 +0000

Hey, interesting articles, thanks for sharing them!

By: Anon5

Anon5 — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:35:17 +0000

Why would you spend several thousand dollars just to lower your basement floor three inches?

If you’re going thru the process, why not set the basement ceiling at the proper 8′ height?