Does this count as a closet??

[Mark Mahoney]

Hey everyone,

I am in the process of getting a property appraised. It is located in Massachusetts and I have been researching what qualifies a bedroom as a bedroom. It seems like in order to make a bedroom a bedroom, amongst other things, it needs a closet. In order to be a value add I would love to make a couple rooms that tenants have been using as bedrooms actually qualify as a bedroom to the appraiser. The house was built in 1920’s if that affects anything. Any insight would be super appreciated. Please let me know if you need any further information.

Would this qualify as a “closet”?

It has all the other requirements other than a closet.

[Lien Vuong]

If it's built in 1920's the closet rule does not apply bc it doesnt have to comply to today's standards. That being said, I would check public records and see what they do list as the legal number of beds and appraiser usually will go with that. 

Other notes:

• What a bedroom cannot have - a door to the outside - those are considered common areas and used as living rooms or rec spaces so it's unlikely an appraiser will consider that. 
• Should be at least 10 x 10 room with a window 
• You do NOT need a closet to count as a bedroom as generations before used armoire
• Unlikely they will consider it a bedroom if you need to pass one bedroom to get into another 
• In Boston, many units have dining rooms that have been converted to bedrooms, appraisers know this and while they wont report you, they wont consider it legal bedrooms