Shopping for a new home in Ottawa? A house with a basement suite could be your smartest choice

Looking at the Ottawa area new home market, it’s just smart planning to consider a house with a basement suite right off the bat. If you’re considering a new build in or near Ottawa, it’s possible to build in a basement suite right away. In fact, we have designed three different models that include beautiful basement suites with separate entrances.

Here are some of the reasons to build in your basement suite right away when you are designing your new home.

With demand for housing outpacing supply, you will not find it difficult to attract a renter. In fact, the rental income will help pay down your mortgage – giving you more financial flexibility day to day or allowing you to shorten your amortization. In times of higher interest rates and downpayment requirements, you can present the income-generating potential of your new home to your bank. Oftentimes, knowing that this income will offset your monthly mortgage payment can help get your mortgage approved.

You never know what life will throw at you – surprise guests or perhaps a relative who needs a place to stay for a while. You may decide to offer the space to aging parents or newly graduated children as a longer-term home. A beautifully designed modern basement suite may become a gift of support you can offer your loved ones.

Having a long-term tenant in the basement apartment of your new build will help with your mortgage payments and will bring a consistent stream of extra income. Ottawa, with its highly active IT sector and public service employers, sees a high number of incoming professionals looking for rental suites. Whether it’s a member of the military moving to Ottawa for three years, or a single professional starting out in a software company, your brand new modern build in a quiet neighbourhood will be a highly attractive option for a rental home. 

Housing prices in and around Ottawa will continue to climb. That means, all the above reasons will be ever more relevant to the eventual future buyers of your home. Whether they intend to have a member of the family stay in the apartment or will use it as an income-generating property, having a built-in legal secondary dwelling will become more of an asset as time goes on.

So, what are the benefits of having your basement suite built into your new home design, rather than waiting and adding it in later? It all comes down to costs and peace of mind.

Converting your conventional basement into a basement suite is not as simple as adding some kitchen cupboards. In fact, there is an extensive number of regulations that must be followed when building a legal rental apartment and that means architectural drawings, inspections, and building permits. As the saying goes, “renovations always cost twice as much and take three times as long” as planned, so it’s best to just get the apartment put in as your new build is going up.

As an aside, when we build your home, we will take care of all of the permits and ensure that a secondary dwelling of that size and configuration is legal on that lot. On the other hand, trying to retrofit a basement suite into an existing home, you may find that building codes or zoning bylaws have changed and you are not able to carry out your plans.

While there are some older houses for sale with basement suites, it’s important to do your due diligence in inspecting those units and ensuring they are compliant. Our basement apartments are built to all secondary dwelling unit standards from the Ontario Building Code and the City of Ottawa.

All our models meet or exceed electrical, plumbing, insultation, and fire code requirements. No corners have been cut, which means, you can legally rent out the unit. Whether your tenants are renters or family, you can be sure that they will be safe and comfortable living there.

If you’re looking at a new build in or near Ottawa, take a look at our specially designed models in our Income Series with secondary dwelling suites.