Has anyone turned their garage into a livable (mother in law) unit? (Mountain View: renter, crime)

[zitsky]

This is not something I'm ready to do now. But it is something my partner and I have talked about. He is more enthusiastic about it than me. We have a property in Mountain View with a unit in the back which is currently half office / half garage.

The idea would be to convert the garage space into a bedroom or kitchen etc. This would not be a full time place to live, maybe three or four months tops. Just wondering if anyone had done something like this?

Obviously the downside is that we would lose the garage and might have to lower our rent to attract tenants. (We currently have someone in the house and we'll have to negotiate a new rent if she stays.)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by zitsky

This is not something I'm ready to do now. But it is something my partner and I have talked about. He is more enthusiastic about it than me. We have a property in Mountain View with a unit in the back which is currently half office / half garage.

The idea would be to convert the garage space into a bedroom or kitchen etc. This would not be a full time place to live, maybe three or four months tops. Just wondering if anyone had done something like this?

Obviously the downside is that we would lose the garage and might have to lower our rent to attract tenants. (We currently have someone in the house and we'll have to negotiate a new rent if she stays.)

Seems one of the main expenses would be the bathroom. Is there already at least a half bath in the garage? Putting in plumbing would be expensive.

I would think, that a renter might appreciate having a lower rent, unless she really prefers to have a garage. Would the new unit be fore you, for occasional visits into town?

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Seems one of the main expenses would be the bathroom. Is there already at least a half bath in the garage? Putting in plumbing would be expensive.

I would think, that a renter might appreciate having a lower rent, unless she really prefers to have a garage. Would the new unit be fore you, for occasional visits into town?

There is already a half bath. It's on a slab so doing more plumbing could be expensive. I agree. I think you and I are on the same page. Could we stand living in that small space? Renovated it could be a nice studio. And we'll still have the income from the house.

[Ruth4Truth]

If you need a studio, and you already have a bathroom, then go for a studio. I assume on-street parking isn't an issue in Mountain View; not exactly a high-crime area, or prone to homelessness. If there are car break-ins in the area, though, then you should keep the garage, unless there's room on the property to build a separate one, in the future. Another thing to consider, is whether your nabe is zoned for in-law units or duplexes.

[gnomatic]

Better start looking at the rules and application process:
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/c...ons_update.asp

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by gnomatic

Better start looking at the rules and application process:
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/c...ons_update.asp

Yes. I'm sure any changes will have to be done with a permit.

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

If you need a studio, and you already have a bathroom, then go for a studio. I assume on-street parking isn't an issue in Mountain View; not exactly a high-crime area, or prone to homelessness. If there are car break-ins in the area, though, then you should keep the garage, unless there's room on the property to build a separate one, in the future. Another thing to consider, is whether your nabe is zoned for in-law units or duplexes.

We would certainly consider how this might affect the rent we can get. Knowing how hot the market is, we think we could rent out the house without a garage. We would only use it for a few months maybe in summer.

[artillery77]

My wife did it with hers. I'd suggest adding a kitchen and full bathroom in and leaving the remaining space as a studio. Obviously window coverings are necessary as well. Take the time to insulate the garage or your meter will spin like a top. If street parking is limited, consider expanding your driveway to accommodate more vehicles. You'll have to make it ADA.

Share laundry between the two with separate locking doors.

You'll need approval from the school as well as the city. Your property taxes will increase. You will limit your capital gains but increase your monthly income from the rents.

To do it right, you're dropping some serious money, so make sure you want to share your home. You won't get that money back for years.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I have not personally done it, but know someone who did in Davis, CA, when the city started allowing mother-in-law units because of the need for student housing for UCD students.

The biggest problem was insulation, and being on a concrete slab on the ground. It's just really hard to make a garage into a warm/dry cozy space. They just always seem to feel like you're in a garage, as far as being too hot/too cold/too damp.

[SFBayBoomer]

Is this an extra garage in back, or the sole garage on the property?

If you proceed with your plans, will the property (still) have garage space for two cars?