You need 2 separate entrances.

It will take some sacrifice.Key Features To Look ForWhen evaluating a property for basement conversion, pay attention to:Separate EntranceProperties that already have a separate entrance for the basement are ideal.

My primary residence is a mother/daughter setup and I'm just about finished renovating the small "mother" section which is essentially a studio apartment with a private entrance, bathroom, and kitchen. 

I basically have this property build as if it's a duplex (separate entrances), but it'd still be able to rent as a SFH.

In which case just rent that area of the house with its separate entrance?

We put kwikset power bolt push button locks on the one building we have that has 2 common entrances.

You are correct-- all work is EXTERNAL (siding and painting), aside from occasional home entrance for windows (if needed).I would never consider asking a tenant to change their life so I could paint the inside, that's not reasonable.Thank you for your throughts

You'll need fire-walls, separate entrances, separate HVAC, etc.I bought a 1,100 SF house that was being converted to a duplex, each side with 2 bedrooms/1bath.

They are expanding the local high school which is just down the street, so we're hoping the already high demand for living continues to increase.The building will have a mix of 1-3 BR units, two elevators, a nice entrance lobby/common are on the ground level, laundry in each of the units, with some higher end lofts on the top floor. 

Rent on this unit, if I recall correctly, was somewhere in the $1500/mo zone.Something to keep in mind is that most leases have a clause that the lessee is responsible for their guests' actions - ie if your son has a friend over who kicks out the glass in the common entrance door, your son is responsible to the landlord, and your son's friend is then responsible to your son for payment of the damages.