Is basement good in Canada?

It may not sound too appealing but in Canada, basements are usually quite nice and no different than any other room in the house. Basement apartments have one great advantage, they are usually significantly cheaper than many other types of rental units.

Are basement apartments legal in Ontario?

A Legal basement apartment in Ontario is a form of second dwelling unit that meets the Ontario Building Code Requirements for Second Units, The Ontario Fire Code, and local municipal zoning by-laws. The Ontario Requirements for Second Units only apply in existing houses that are older than 5 years.

Is winter in Toronto harsh?

Toronto has a semi-continental climate, with a warm, humid summer and a cold winter. Although Toronto is one of Canada’s warmer cities in winter, winters are still severe, with snow on the ground most days between mid-December and mid-March. Snow deeper than 1 cm is seen on 65 days a year on average.

How do you safely live in a basement?

4 Safety Tips When Living in Basement Apartments

1. Make Sure the Apartment Is Up to Code. Any honest landlord and apartment complex owner will make sure that basement apartments are up to code.
2. Test for Mold and Gas.
3. Have an Escape Plan During Fire and Flooding.
4. Have a Plan to Prevent and Deal with Burglary.

Why do we have basements in Ontario?

The reason we have basements at all is because years ago people needed to have frost-free spaces before the days that heating systems kept homes above freezing all the time. Homes like these needed a basement to keep vegetables from freezing and spoiling.

Are basement apartments legal in Toronto?

In the City of Toronto, basement apartments are permitted as per the Second Suite Bylaw enacted in 2013.

What are the pros and cons of living in a basement?

The temperature in basement apartments can be both a pro and a con—heat rises, so they tend to stay cooler during warmer months, but that also means they can be too cold during winter, too. Wacksman said this can affect utility costs, so it’s something to consider.

Can you live in a basement apartment in New York City?

In New York City, where basement apartments are fairly common, legal guidelines require adequate exits and ceilings that are at least 7 feet high, for example. If you’re considering a basement unit, Place recommends reviewing the building’s “Certificate of Occupancy,” which should detail whether you can live in the basement as a standalone unit.

Is it cheaper to rent a basement apartment?

Basement units are more affordable “The best deals in the neighborhood are often basement apartments,” Place says. When she runs comps (i.e. compares data for recent transactions) for both renters and buyers, she generally sees that basement units are 20 percent less expensive than other units in the same building.

What is the difference between a basement and a cellar?

A basement has at least 50 percent of its height above street level, but a cellar has at least half its height underground, says Nadine Adamson, an associate broker at Brown Harris Stevens in New York City and townhome specialist. In New York City, cellars aren’t considered legal living spaces in one- and two-family homes.