Homes with basement apartments, Scugog

Port Perry's raised bungalows from the seventies and eighties are the natural hosts, since a raised bungalow's lower level comes with full-height windows and a side-yard door, and the town's Region sewer service removes the septic question. Newer two-storeys on the west side sometimes come with a builder-installed separate entrance, sold as an option. Ontario's rules now reportedly allow additional units on a residential lot inside a settlement area served by municipal water and sewer, with the township's zoning brought into line, but that permission does not extend automatically to lots on private services. Out past the town, in hamlets and on concession lots, a second unit is judged partly on whether the septic bed can take the load, and the Region's health department reviews that. Scugog also reportedly requires registration of two-unit houses, so request the registration number from the seller, not just the assurance.

Start by asking the listing agent three questions in writing: was a building permit issued for the unit, is it registered with the township, and has the Fire Department inspected it. Then look for the physical signs of a compliant unit: a self-contained exit, interconnected smoke alarms on both levels, a fire-rated separation at the ceiling and the furnace room, ceiling height that meets the Building Code, and a bedroom window large enough to climb out of. If the answers are no, price the house as a single-family home with a finished basement, because that is what the lender's appraiser and your insurer will see. Do not assume the current tenant's rent will continue, and if the unit is occupied, understand the Residential Tenancies Act before you plan on moving a relative in.