Can I Add a Bathroom Without Telling Landlord? (lease, tenant, evict)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am a renter. I have an art studio that is detached from the house, way in the corner of my back yard. I want to add a bathroom to the studio. There is no plumbing out there and I have a pretty large backyard. Do I have to tell my landlord before I add a bathroom? Can I get fined by the city for this, will the landlord get fined if I do it without permits? Will the city make me tare it down if i get caught?
What you are thinking of doing is not something minor. You are on the right track with knowing that may be needed, why ask strangers on the Internet. Your LL will have a quick answer for you. In the end, that's the only answer that matters.
I am a renter. I have an art studio that is detached from the house, way in the corner of my back yard. I want to add a bathroom to the studio. There is no plumbing out there and I have a pretty large backyard. Do I have to tell my landlord before I add a bathroom? Can I get fined by the city for this, will the landlord get fined if I do it without permits? Will the city make me tare it down if i get caught?
Do you live there? If so, how is he allowed to rent the garden shed as a residence?
Let's say you do add a loo. You'll have to run the water line. A new sewer and water tap fee (if on central water and sewer) will likely have to be paid. Permits will likely be required, not to mention the cost of materials and plumber.
You may be looking at several thousand dollars when the shouting is over.
I'd be surprised if you can make a change like that without the landlord's permission and I'm guessing that doing so without that permission may be grounds for eviction. If you get an OK, you will also likely need permits from the city to add a bathroom.
Do you live there? If so, how is he allowed to rent the garden shed as a residence?
Let's say you do add a loo. You'll have to run the water line. A new sewer and water tap fee (if on central water and sewer) will likely have to be paid. Permits will likely be required, not to mention the cost of materials and plumber.
You may be looking at several thousand dollars when the shouting is over.
Yes, I live there. IT's not a garden/shed. it's a big room on a foundation. I want to add a bathroom so I can rent it out!
What you are thinking of doing is not something minor. You are on the right track with knowing that may be needed, why ask strangers on the Internet. Your LL will have a quick answer for you. In the end, that's the only answer that matters.
i wanted to rent the space out. i put the question up here because i thought i might get some landlord point of views.
Kitchen and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms in a house to add/redo. $15-$20K at best. Yes, you need permission from the landlord. You would also need permission from the landlord to sublet. Permits are usually granted to the property owner not a tenant so you would need the landlord's help anyway. You will never be able to get it done on your own.
There are so many things that would have to be addressed and paid for that only the property owner can sign off on. Not to mention inspections and liability.
I know you want to do this. But why not just talk to the landlord? You run the risk of being evicted and sued within an inch of your life.
Most landlords will evict you if they catch you making modifications like that without their permission and cooperation. They may also be inclined to evict you if you sublease the property to another without their permission, unless your lease specifically allows you to sublease.
No competent contractor would make modifications like that to a property without the owner signing off on it. Also building permits must be taken out in the Owner's name and the Owner is subject to fines if the work is not done properly.
Just wanted to add: If you really want to do this, the best way to go about it is for you to discuss it with the landlord and offer to pay for these improvements and the costs of getting it all properly permitted, with the condition that you will be allowed to sublease the property for a certain period of time. However, I expect that once you learn the real cost of doing something like this you will change your mind, deciding it is not affordable.
Last edited by CptnRn; 06-18-2015 at 04:05 PM..
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
