2 to 3 family - convert basement unit

[JP Krueger]

Hi world. I have a 2 family in East Boston, MA that had some work in place for a basement apartment when I bought it. The house is currently a 2 family and I was hoping to make it a 3. It might take 35k for the renovation and I would be looking at $1200/month from the unit. Pretty nice ROI. The ceiling height is ideal and the unit would have one egress through the basement door and another through a window. What are the legal steps in this process?

[Juan Diaz]

1. Get zoning/planning to approve
2. Get building department to approve
3. Do the construction
4. Get it inspected
5. Pass inspection & voila, legal unit

It all starts by going down to the zoning/planning department of your city.