Basement apartments in Brampton. Are they legal?

January 24, 2008 · 102 comments

So you’re looking to buy a home in Brampton with a separate basement apartment to lease out for extra income, but you have no clues as to the legalities of the basement. What exactly does “Vendor does not warrant retrofit status” mean? What issues do you need to be concerned about when purchasing a home with a basement apartment? Read on, and you shall find out!

What exactly defines a basement apartment?

A basement apartment is a self-contained apartment consisting of a room or rooms in a singe or semi-detached house and can be located in any part of the house, not necessarily in the basement. They have also been called granny flats, nanny suites, accessory apartments and second suites. In the City’s bylaw, they are referred to as a “residential unit”.

A self-contained apartment shall have a separate means of entry (which may be through another unit) a kitchen (or cooking area) and bathroom facilities. A self-contained apartment may be as small as a single room that contains all of the features listed.

However, if you rent a room in a house or a flat with a shared entrance, kitchen and bathroom facilities, this bylaw does not apply to you.

Are basement apartments legal in Brampton?

If you purchase a home in Brampton and the basement apartment was built after November 16, 1995, it is illegal. The only legal basement apartments in Brampton had to have been built prior to that date, and have had to been registered with the city before January 31, 2006 and/or have legal non-conforming status.

A single or semidetached registered home can only have one basement apartment. Homes that have been subdivided into more than two units are strictly prohibited unless the property has been specifically zoned to permit multiple units. It is extremely rare to find a house that has been zoned as a triplex!

What should I be watching out for when I am looking to buy a home with a basement apartment?

Lawyers or real estate agents such as myself can confirm the status of a basement apartment with the city in order to provide you with the right information.
Real Estate Agents are bound by code of conduct guidelines and must fully and fairly disclose all information about a property for sale. Homes with doubtful legal status are typically listed with the caution “Vendor does not warrant retrofit status”, and you may have to seek further legal advice before proceeding with the purchase of a home.

What are the risks of an illegal basement apartment?

Increased Liability – The onus is on a homeowner to meet established standards for a second suite. If anything should happen, such as a fire, the homeowner would be held liable due to failure to meet requirements.
Loss of Insurance Coverage – Having a rental unit in your home is a material change to your home. Non-disclosure of this change of use may in fact make your coverage null and void.
Limited recover of damage – An insurance policy is not responsible for rebuilding costs related to meeting current established standards. Your insurance company is only required to cover the costs of fixing your home back to the state that existed at the time your policy was made prior to any damage.
Prosecution – If you do not meet City codes it means that you are breaking the law. You run the risk of being charged and can face fines with a maximum penalty of $50,000 and/or a year of imprisonment on each count.
Financing – Income from an unauthorized basement apartment is generally not considered when qualifying for a mortgage loan.
Tenants – You are a landlord. You are obliged to maintain your basement apartment in good operating order and you must follow all fire safety laws. Tenants may apply for rent reduction where the unit fails to meet the prescribed municipal health, safety, maintenance and property standards.
Tenant Insurance – Your homeowner’s policy will not cover property owned by a tenant.

Can I legally convert vacant space in my home into a basement apartment?

NO! The City’s zoning by-law does not permit new basement apartments. If the basement apartment did not exist in your home prior to November 16, 1995, a home in Brampton cannot be legally converted. Furthermore, any home built after 1995 can never have an existing legal basement apartment.

In order to permit a new basement apartment, the Zoning By-law would have to be changed. Changing the Zoning By-law requires the submission of a Zoning Amendment application and fee ($7759.00) to the City’s Planning, Design and Development Department.

For more information on basement apartments in Brampton, you can visit the City Of Brampton’s website.

Tagged as: brampton real estate basement apartment

This post has 102 comments

Marta
I believe I read somewhere that a tenant could stop paying rent in an illegal secondary dwelling and there would be no recourse for the landlord.Is that true? Since cities are not enforcing the bylaw, is it true that one may report a landlord to Revenue Canada for unreported income? (Haven't used e-mail in long time,address may no longer work.)

Mack
Hi Lang, Thanks for all your suggestions, I'm pretty sure there are many people you have questions, but instead of asking, they probably would get the answers by reading all the above cases, good job and thanks a bunch. I've got a friend who isn't Internet savvy and asked my help as he's renting his Walk-out Basement for more than 2 yrs, with separate entrance, kitchen and washroom - house has been built in late 1970. He received notice from 'City of Brampton' to vacate his rental basement, he asked me if he can claim that those people are his family member or any other suggestions. If you could please advice on this, would definate pass on to him and again thanks so much for your valuable time and advice... Sincerely, Mack

{ 102 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Tracey Hall February 6, 2008 at 5:23 pm: I am looking to rent a basment apartment are there obvoius signs that it is a legal basment apartment?

If so what are they and how can I tell, i am seeing places on mls and view it that claim they are basment apartments what are my rights a potential renter?

Can a real estate broker lease a non legal basment apartment to a potential renter?
2 lang February 6, 2008 at 9:37 pm: Hi Tracey

Please check your email for my response, and best of luck in finding your rental!

Lang
3 Lake Blue Ridge Homes For Sale February 14, 2008 at 6:40 am: How important it is when making decisions like this to rent out part of ones home to first check the law and obtain necessary permits if it is allowed. Can you imagine the cost of doing all of the work and finding out after you can’t use it or if you have a tennent having to brake the lease because a neighbor reported you.
4 paula March 15, 2008 at 9:09 pm: i have a question regarding illegal basements. where i am currently living is illegal and i have a leak and black mold. i have notifed my landlord and the havent done nothing. can i move right now if i found a place and still get my last months rent back to help me get a new place. i just am so stressed and need some advice cause i have been sick and so has my nine month old and 7 year old.
5 Joe April 2, 2008 at 7:13 am: Here is my situation. I currently live in a basement apartment that I have just learned is illegal. The fire alarm went off and the responding fire department noticed that there were not one but two basement apartments. The residence is in a zoning area that did not allow for basement apartments. I was given a two month notice to move out of my place. I signed a year long lease and after a month of living here I have to move within 2 months. Can I seek anything from the landlord regarding moving expenses or a refund of some sort such as a last month free?
6 lang April 2, 2008 at 3:28 pm: Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. Even in normal circumstances, leases can be terminated with ample notice, and 2 months is a fair notice. As for getting your last month’s rent back, unfortunately, there aren’t any provisions in place to help you. All you can do is ask nicely and hope the landlord is kind enough to accommodate your request.

Best of luck,

Lang
7 Kevin April 10, 2008 at 10:25 pm: I presently own a semi-detached house that was built AFTER November 16th, 1995. I rent out the house and live in the basement. It has an entrance through the garage, a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Is this still considered illegal since I am not renting it out but rather living there myself?

Thanks,
Kevin
8 lang April 15, 2008 at 11:59 am: Hi Kevin,

Unfortunately, it’s still considered an illegal basement apartment as your house has two separate dwelling units, regardless of who is living there.

Lang
9 Robyn April 21, 2008 at 7:59 am: I purchased a home in June of last year with an existing kitchenette in the basement – I gather from the mail we receive for previous occupants – they must have rented out this space. Our intentions were not to use the basement as a rental but rather use it as a part of our entire home as normal for our family. I now receive a notice from by-law people about possible illegal residence in my home and they want an inspection.

Is it still considered an illegal unit or multi res status if it is not rented out and no one lives there??
10 lang April 22, 2008 at 8:59 am: Hi Robyn

Regardless of intent of use, if your home has two separate dwelling units and one was not registered with the city, it is considered illegal.

If the basement apartment existed prior to 1995, you are still able to register it with the city. In that case, you can call the Zoning Department at 905-874-2090, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

You can also contact the Enforcement/Property Standards department at enforcement@brampton.ca to inquire about suggested courses of action. Remember, by law you’re not required to grant them permission to have access to your property.
11 Steve May 19, 2008 at 5:21 pm: Is it legal for a basement appartment to house tenants if there is no cooking appliances in the appartment? If the by-law people require an inspection, dont they have to posses a warrent for that inspected area? If not, do they have to make there inspection aware to the homeowner, or can they show up when they want?
12 lang May 19, 2008 at 8:24 pm: Hi Steve

A basement apartment is considered illegal if it can be a totally separate dwelling unit. That means it has a bathroom and a kitchen.

In Brampton, city officials can call you to request entry to your property. However, you are not required to allow them entry if you wish. You do have the right of refusal.

Lang
13 R.Maria May 20, 2008 at 12:48 pm: I own home that was build in 1987.. I bought the house from a power of sale with a basement already done this passed year.
Since then I have made some newer alterantions to the property..changed from old dry wall to new and replaced old flooring to ceramic.I dont have a kitchen I have removed the appliances since they were old and all kitchen cabinets since the basement was not well maintained. I have now all open space and 1 bathroom.
my basement right now is being used for storage until I move into the house later on end of this year. my teants now are stating that I have an illegal basement.. what can I do to prove that its just storage and how do I know when this basement was build before 1996?
14 lang May 21, 2008 at 12:28 pm: Hi R.Maria

As far as I know, if the apartment is not being used as a separate dwelling unit, you should be fine. The best course of action would be to contact the City Of Brampton and ask for property enforcement officers. You’ll also be able to find out if the basement was previously registered with the city.

Best of luck,

Lang
15 alice June 3, 2008 at 2:26 pm: HELLO TACEY HAAL

HOW ARE YOU? I AM LOOKIN FIND A BASEMENT APART FO R ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN. i ALLWAY LIVE ON THE TOP FLOOR. AND I KNOW IN BRAMPTON THERE ARE LOST OF HOMES GOING UP SO FAST. I ALL WAY WONDER IT THE OWNER TAKE THE TIME TO FINE OUT THE LEGAL PART TO RENT OUT THE SPACE, BECAUSE SO PEOPLE HAVE TWO TENAT LIVE IN ONE BASEMENT.
16 concerned tennant! June 10, 2008 at 11:02 pm: Hi, I just recently found out that im renting in a illegal basement in brampton 8 months into my lease. I mentioned to the landlord that i was going to move out promptly and withhold the rent untill a bylaw or fire inspector comes and checks. now he is causeing me great headaches almost like he wants me to go quietly. he is trying to charge me on whatever expences he can what can i do? what are my options as a tenant?
17 mandy June 20, 2008 at 9:52 pm: hi,

i currently live in a basement apt,i have been asking the owner of the house to fix the furnance because everytime the a.c os on it leaks ans i need to empty a bucket every two hours and the shower stall is broken and after requesting to get it fixed several times it hasn’t been done. what r my rights? what can i do ……..
18 lang June 21, 2008 at 1:18 pm: Hi Mandy

Here is a great resource for you to review. It’s the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Act. You can find the answer to your question at http://www.ontariotenants.ca/law/law.phtml

In response specifically to your question, here is the answer they provide:

If the landlord does not make repairs on your verbal request, or has a history of not making repairs, put your request in writing, including the date of the letter, and keep a copy.

If the landlord still hasn’t done the repairs in a reasonable time, then call your city Building Inspector to make an appointment for them to come out and look at the problem. If the inspector won’t come then ask to speak to their supervisor. Get a copy of the inspectors report to save for your records.

If you are still having problems getting repairs done, you will want to contact the Investigation and Enforcement Unit, at 416-585-7214, or outside of the 416 calling area, toll free at 1-888-772-9277.

If problems persists, then you may want to contact your lawyer or Community Legal Clinic, City Councillor, and maybe even apply for a rent reduction on the basis of lack of repair being a reduction of services in your apartment.

Best of luck!

Lang
19 lang June 21, 2008 at 1:21 pm: Hi Concerned Tenant,

Your scenario is a little bit tricky. Usually a tenant is able to get out of a lease if they provide 60 days notice. However, with an illegal basement apartment, the circumstances may be different.

Try giving the Brampton Community Legal Clinic a call at (905) 455-0160. I believe they’ll be able to give you sound advice.

Best of luck,

Lang
20 Kevin July 15, 2008 at 10:21 am: Hello
I purchased my house, a 5 level back split semi detached house that was built in 1980 in January 2005. It had an existing basement apartment with a separate entrance. We have been using it for additional storage/living space. However we wish to rent it now. I have renovated the kitchen and bathroom and added a steel door between our level and the apartment. I changed the bedroom window to a double slider thus allowing someone to escape from the bedroom in case of fire. Can I make this a legal basement apartment?
Thanks
21 shirley July 16, 2008 at 8:29 pm: hi i recently bought a house with a basement apartment unfortunatly i never knew of this being an illegal apatment. my previous tenants reported me to the city and i allowed entry into my not knowing that i can refuse. now i am being told that i have to remove it and they want to come back a see that the wire to the stove has been removed can i refuse entry the second time or so i have to comply.
22 lang July 25, 2008 at 8:38 pm: Hi Kevin

Unless your basement apartment was legally registered with the city by the previous owners before January 31, 2006, I’m afraid it can’t be legally rented out as a separate dwelling unit.

Lang
23 lang July 25, 2008 at 8:40 pm: Hi Shirley

As far as I know, you are legally entitled to refuse entry at any time. Only essential services such as the fire department must be allowed entry. It would be best to check with a lawyer to be certain in this instance.

Lang
24 Trish August 7, 2008 at 8:05 pm: I am presently renting a basement apartment for the past 10 months. my landlord just received a letter from the city saying that they were sending an inspector in, i just found out from the city today that this is an illegal apartment. So i am wondering will i have to move and how much time do i have to find a place and also do i still have to continue to pay the landlord rent where it is an illegal apartment?

thank you
25 Derek September 24, 2008 at 10:42 pm: I have renovated my basement for my mother-in-law to have some space when she moves in with us. My neighbors have complained that I have a second dwelling to the town. The town has inspected and found no stove plug, can they return to investigate this again if my disgruntled neighbor complains again? I am not up on the laws of stoves in basements, am I not allowed one (even if for my own personal use, I know lots of Italian families have more than one)? Would a hot plate or microwave or convection oven also be not allowed?
26 Kevin_405 September 25, 2008 at 8:33 am: Hi,

I recently bought a power of sale home with a finished basement with kitchen and bathroom, probably illegal..

I want to rent a room in my upper level and let the tenenat use the kitchen and bathroom in the basement.. Would that be illegal from insurance point of view..
27 Janbaz October 8, 2008 at 9:43 am: I see all these posts but nothing on walk out basements. My question is, is it legal to rent walk out basements and do the same rules apply to them? I was told by my real state agent that they are legal to rent as they are already zoned. Please advise. thanks
28 Cheryl November 1, 2008 at 7:52 pm: Hello

My parents and i want to buy a house with a basement apartment for myself. The house will be in all 3 of our names as we are going into it as equal partners. Will the basement apartment be considerd illegal eventhough i will be one of the owners of the house?
29 glenn November 30, 2008 at 10:23 am: I am a home owner,my house is 25yrs old.I bought it 6 yrs ago. The basement was already completed. I would like to Know if this basement was grandfather in for I ,how can I find out ?

It legal to rent a room in the house with shared facilities.
30 Sharan December 30, 2008 at 10:00 pm: Hi there,

I rented out a basement in July and knew my stay would be short because I was in the process of selling and purchasing our own home. This was made very clear with the landlords. My first and last months rent was paid in July. We provided a verbal notice that our last month will be Jan 2009. Our landlords have been verbally harassing us, refusing to clean our pathway when it snows and demanding more rent. We now know this unit is illegal and have been threatened to be evicted in one week. I have already paid last months rent, have 2 samll children and have our new closing for end of Jan. There is no illegal activities. Does our landlord have the right to evict us within one week on basis of verbal arguements. Do the landlords have any rights when they are renting out a illegal basements. Hope you can help me or point me to the right direction. Thanks!!
31 Karine January 7, 2009 at 10:44 am: HI!
I just learned that i am living in an illegal basement apartment. And that at anytime, if complaints are made, i can be evicted.Am i responsible for this? What do i get if this happens? I am looking to move, but it is hard and expensive to find an other place. The landlords are giving me a hard time. From entering my apartment without notice, to controlling my electricity usage(heating and electricity included) and threats to tow my visitors car away. I hope i can get advice and what to do with this and what are the consequences? Thank you.
32 lang January 7, 2009 at 1:48 pm: Hi Karine

If the city deems that your landlord is renting out an illegal basement apartment, they will first send enforcement officers to inspect the basement. Then, they will serve a notice to the landlord that will require them to clear the unit.

However, you will not be forced out onto the street right away. You will be given ample notification and time to find a new place of residence.

Your landlord has no right to enter your unit without giving notice at least 24 hours in advance and with your consent. The ONLY time a landlord can enter your unit is if it is an absolute emergency or if you have previously given consent for the landlord to enter at any time.

If a landlord enters a tenant’s unit illegally, the tenant may file an application with the Board. If the Board finds that the landlord has entered the unit illegally, there are a number of things that the Board may order. For example, the tenant could receive an abatement of rent or the landlord could be ordered to pay a fine. What is ordered is up to the Member who hears the application.

I suggest you review the Landlord & Tenant Act to learn your rights as a tenant. You can find the questions to all your answers here:

http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Key_Information/STEL02_111232.html

Best of luck,

Lang
33 lang January 7, 2009 at 1:50 pm: Hi Sharan

Please refer to here for your questions:

http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Key_Information/STEL02_111483.html

Best of luck,

Lang
34 patience Akpofure January 10, 2009 at 1:21 pm: I am having problem evicting the lady in the basement apartment. what do I do. she has no lease and she is not paying rent. she refused to move away from the apartment. she is out to make trouble. How do I evict her.
35 lang January 10, 2009 at 1:28 pm: Hi Patience

Take a look at this link here:

http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/STEL02_111286.html

All the best,

Lang
36 Michelle S. January 31, 2009 at 3:46 am: Hi Lang, Where could I find out information on the legality of a basement apartment in London Ontario? Also, let’s say basement has a kitchen and bathroom. The entry into the house is shared, with another door to go to the basement. If I allow a renter to have use to the main floor kitchen and bathroom, would the rules still apply? It then be shared entry, kitchen, bathroom even though they have a kitchen/bathroom in the basement. Would this also mean the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Act rules not apply? Thanks!!
37 lang February 3, 2009 at 3:47 pm: Hi Michelle

The Landlord & Tenant Act would apply in any tenant/landlord agreement in the province of Ontario. As for the legalities of basement apartments, I would recommend you contact the City Of London and request a copy of their by-laws. Each municipality has different laws, and as I tend to work more in Brampton, I can’t say for certain if these laws here would apply to you.

Best of luck!

Lang
38 Rebecca February 17, 2009 at 4:15 pm: We are currently renting our basement (in Woodstock). There is a seperate, private bathroom and our tenant shares the main and only kitchen with us. Out tenant is now requesting rent reciepts after verbally agreeing before he moved in that all transactions would be cash. Am I obligated to give him one, or is our rental not considered an Apartment because the only kitchen is shared? Am I renting my space illegally!?
39 lang February 17, 2009 at 4:22 pm: According the Landlord & Tenant Act, landlords are required to provide rent receipts when requested by the tenant. You can find more information here:

http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Key_Information/STEL02_111478.html

All the best,

Lang
40 Priya March 3, 2009 at 10:11 am: Hi,

How will I know from mls listings if the basement apartment is legal?What questions can I ask the real estate agent to find out if its registered/legal? Would I need to ask the seller for any documents to get it registered?
Also are walkout basement apartments legal to rent?
I’m looking for an older home (20 yrs plus), that already has a finished basement apartment (with washroom and kitchen). Please let me know how to find out if its legal; if not, what do I need to make it legal to rent it out.

Thanks
41 lang March 9, 2009 at 10:29 am: Hi Priya

You won’t be able to tell just from the listing if the basement apartment has been legally registered or not. However, most unregistered basements will have some sort of disclaimer that will say “Vendor does not warrant retrofit status.” If the seller has indeed registered the basement with the city, they will have the supporting documents which can be provided to you.

Walkout basement apartments would still have to be registered just like any normal basement apartment. The distinction doesn’t lie in the entrance type, but the fact that the basement is being used and rented out as a separate dwelling unit.

As basement apartments can no longer be registered with the city, you’ll definitely have to look for a slightly older home. You can ask the seller for their registration papers, or perhaps contact the city for more information.

All the best,

Lang
42 marc April 16, 2009 at 6:24 pm: Hi Lang,
I bought my house in 2004 with finished basement apartment but not registered with city. Presently i am renting this apartment. Last year someone complained and city Inspector came in. I allowed her to visit in and to take some pictures. ( At that time I was not aware that I can refuse her to come in)
Later city sent me notice to appear in court but I ignored. Then they sent another letter to appear in court otherwise , court will take ex-party decision. Mean time I got the old listing to check when this apartment was made. In one MLS listing of 2001 I found the two kitchen. From there I found the selling agent and I was able to locate the owner who made the apartment. After persuasion he gave me affidavit that he made kitchen and washroom in 1992 but he also added one more sentence that he never used it as a apartment nor rented out.I didn’t pay much attention to this sentence rather I was happy that I found the previous owner and the affidavit. So I appeared in the court on the last month date. But to my surprise the By-law officer said that this affidavit is no good because it says that owner never used or rent out. so I requested the Judge to give me another date. Now I have this Monday court date.Please advise accordingly what I should say or do now. Whether I should hire a lawyer? What are the consequences and what is the best way out.

Please treat this urgent and I will appreciate your time and advice.
Can I meet you personally on friday ,tomorrow to discuss personally. Please reply ASAP.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Marc
43 lang April 17, 2009 at 11:53 am: Hi Marc

As per our phone conversation, all the best with your case. Please keep me updated on what happens.

Lang
44 Tara White April 18, 2009 at 12:32 pm: My house was built before 1995 in Brampton with an unfinished basement. Couple of years ago I had to create a finished basement unit (with enlarged windows) in order to provide housing for somebody in family.

Since then circumstances have changed and I have moved to another house, while retaining my previous house as my investment property (mainfloor is rented out).

I have removed stove from my basement though the electric outlet is still there. My relatives occasionally still use this apartment and they cook using a portable heater and microwave whenever they need.

Can the City still find it objectionable? If yes, can I refuse admission to enforcement in perpetuity in case a mean-spirited neighbor reports?

I want to give the mainfloor of my house to my elderly relatives while allowing them to supplement their income by renting out the basement. But this question about the legality of basement unit is hampering my efforts.

Can you propose any stategy to manage this potential legal risk? I want to know if there are loopholes that I can use to challenge the City legally in court in case some mean-spirited neighbour tips them off.

Is it possible to sue the City in return for creating hardship for low-income elderly people when public housing is not easily available?

Is there a move in Brampton region to legalize the basements once again in order to solve the housing problem? I know other municipalities in GTA like New Market, etc have recently changed the law to accomadate housing for low-income people.
45 Mike April 20, 2009 at 5:07 pm: Hi … I am buying a home in Brampton and
I believe the home was build before November 16, 1995 . Is there any way to find out whether my home was register before January 31, 2006 ?
46 lang April 20, 2009 at 8:01 pm: Hi Mike

You can call the City and they can tell you if any basement apartment was registered to that property. Also, if the basement was indeed legally registered, the previous owner should be able to provide you with the paperwork.

All the best,

Lang
47 lang April 20, 2009 at 8:10 pm: Hi Tara

You will not be legally allowed to rent out the basement apartment as a separate dwelling unit. If your basement wasn’t registered with the city before the cutoff date, then you’re out of luck. The city may definitely have a problem with it if they find out it’s being rented. You can also legally refuse entry if they come knocking on your door.

If you wish to investigate all your options, it would probably be best to seek legal advice. As for any pending changes to by-laws, to my knowledge there is nothing slated anytime in the near future.

All the best,

Lang
48 Al Sid April 28, 2009 at 3:48 pm: hi,
I have a detached house with a basement apartment (sep entrace, washroom, kitchen). This house was built in 2003. I understand this is not a legal basement, but just want to know,
Can I rent out my basement?
Can I make a lease with a tenant by law? (some one told me that you cannot make a paper lease if it is a basement apartment ONLY verbal promise)
If I do rent out? Would city of brampton or any other area would take any notice because I am renting an illegal basement|?
Is there a way if I can convert this basement in to a legal basement?

Thank you in advance
49 lang April 28, 2009 at 3:57 pm: Hi Al,

No, you can’t rent out your basement legally. You can’t have tenants living there by law. The city will definitely be able to find an issue with your basement, and unfortunately, there is no legal way to register the basement with the city anymore.

All the best,

Lang
50 Al April 29, 2009 at 11:26 am: Thanks lang, but again, if I rent it out, what would be the consequences? would I be charged any fine by the city, as I see, almost 60% property owner renting thier basements.
thank you