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Updated over 6 years ago, 05/09/2018

User Stats

86
Posts
38
Votes
Jesse Smith
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Kansas City, MO
38
Votes |
86
Posts

Tricky "Tri-plex" Questions

Jesse Smith
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Kansas City, MO
Posted

I'm considering purchasing a large home that was converted into three living spaces, with the potential for a fourth.  Being a home conversion, it has a few oddities.  I'll list them from most concerning to least.  Please let me know how you would look at these:

  1. The basement unit is a walk out and was listed as a 1b/1ba.  However, the "bedroom" is fully interior, with no windows or egress doors.  Additionally, to walk out of the basement unit, the occupant would need to cross through a common laundry room.  They could also exit through the adjacent garage.  One window in the living room does not meet the requirements for egress.  Could I legally rent this unit as a studio?  Do the laundry and garage doors count as egress?
  2. Separate utilities - There are three distinct units in this house.  The top floor unit has its own set of everything.  However, the main floor and basement share a meter, AC, furnace, and water heater.  I believe that I would need to install heating/AC (likely a Daikan mini-split for the small space) for the basement unit and have it set on a separate meter.  I estimate this cost around $8,500.
  3. Common space - The only shared space in the whole place would be a common laundry room on the edge of the basement.  Would I need to meter this room separately for electricity?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

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