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Tues. Afternoon Rental Option – Palisades

This rental is located at 4952 Eskridge Terrace, NW:

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The listing says:

“Beautiful 1BR basement apt, very pvt, includes all utils (including cable/internet and TV), custom lights, Italian tilework, spa tub, w/d, great fridge, gas stove, lots of storage space, private entrance, private outside space, easy street parking, walking distance public transportation. AVAIL 3/16. Near AU, Sibley.”

This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,350/Mo.

Category: Palisades, Rental of the Day

By: Prince Of Petworth | 19 February 2013 3:00 PM | 8 Comments

Anonymous

My question is: who in that neighborhood needs to give up their basement as an illegal rental?

February 19, 2013 at 3:13 pm
- That Man A
  
  That is a good question lol
  
  February 19, 2013 at 3:32 pm
utterlyanon

If the photos actually showed anything useful, it might be easier to tell, but since they can’t seem to get more than 1 foot away from anything, I will assume this place must be a shoebox.

February 19, 2013 at 3:14 pm
thomsenite

I could see maybe an older, lower income couple there. Price seems fair, I’m guessing there is not a huge demand for that kind of unit in that area though.

February 19, 2013 at 3:15 pm
iwonder

Just wondering – how can you tell that it’s illegal? Does this mean it isn’t really separate from the rest of the house? (cringe?)

February 19, 2013 at 3:31 pm
- textdoc
  
  Probably the fact that it includes all utilities — a fully legal apartment would need to have separately metered utilities, so there would be no reason to include them in the rent.
  
  February 19, 2013 at 3:40 pm
- Anonymous
  
  It very well might be separate from the house (though this one appears to have a side or back entrance rather than front). Whether it’s legal depends on if the owner went to the trouble of going through DCRA to get a certificate of occupancy. The space must meet several requirements in order for this to be done including:
  
  -Separate entrance (I believe it needs to be in the front of the house, but not sure)
  -Separate meter for electricity
  -Separate electric panel
  -Min of 7′ ceilings
  -At least two egress windows in the bedroom
  
  Though, I’d wager to guess there are plenty of spaces that meet or almost meet all of these requirements and are still not “legal” due to all the hoops a homeowner would have to jump through to get that status.
  
  February 19, 2013 at 3:45 pm
  - Anonymous
    
    I can’t imagine rentals are legal on that street. I believe that rental units in single family homes are not allowed in most of upper NW, regardless of the standard requirements. I know many work around this qualifying as Inlaw suites, but that has its own set of difficulties.
    
    February 19, 2013 at 4:30 pm