NYC landlords, renting the basement along with the first fl unit

[Luis Rodriguez]

We're in the middle of closing on a single family home and moving out of our investment property. Our unit is a first floor unit with a finished basement with access to the yard & garage. We discussed it with our realtor and he told us to think about keeping the basement for ourselves vs. renting both floors because people might try to rent it out. It's a 3BD/2.5BA, the half bath is in the basement with it's own space in the back. It's a good unit for someone staying with extended family to have the seperation. 

We don't need the space so I'd prefer to get the additional rental income.

What do you guys think ?