In-laws: what are they best known for? The sometimes overbearing, meddling parents who mean well but can constantly interfere with one’s life?
However funny Ben Stiller’s 2000 film Meet The Parents was, the image of “in-laws” commonly seen in pop culture are more comedic stereotypes than accurate depictions of real life. More often than not, in-laws are supportive and loving members of the family.
As in-law suites continue to grow in popularity as an option for multigenerational living, we spoke to two experts—Aman Khurana, a REALTOR® with Oakwyn Realty, and Rima Martinez, an interior designer who runs their own studio, both in Vancouver, British Columbia—to get their take on the ins and outs of in-law suites.
Defining an in-law suite
“In most cases, an in-law suite is a separate, self contained living space with its own exterior access, kitchen, bathroom, and living room or sleeping area/room, at minimum,” says Khurana. Other popular names for in-law suites include secondary suites, nanny suite, and accessory dwelling units.
Sometimes an in-law suite is contained within the main home itself, such as a basement suite or the space above a garage; they can also be built as separate structures within a parcel of land, such as a laneway home. Depending on the municipality, in-law suites can vary in size and design.
Benefits of in-law suites
Having worked with a variety of residential spaces, Martinez has seen firsthand how in-law suites can promote multigenerational living.
“They allow families to stay together, share costs and support each other,” she adds. “I find coach houses are often preferred because they give everyone a little space.”
Khurana also understands why this housing type can be a good option for his clients:
“Secondary suites can provide several benefits ranging from offsetting mortgage or other expenses through rental income in a primary residence, by adding additional rental revenue in the case of an investment property, or by providing options for multi-generational families to live together in the same home while maintaining a certain level of separation and privacy between parties.”
The key factor to maximizing these benefits is mutual respect: clearly defined boundaries and understanding the need for separate spaces, while still enjoying life together.
What should you know before adding an in-law suite?
While adding an in-law suite isn’t as comprehensive as building an entire home from the ground up, it also isn’t as simple as just adding a new extension like in the video game, The Sims. Khurana encourages people to consider the following elements.
Work with qualified professionals
Using a licensed architect or designer is always recommended to ensure any in-law suite will be approved by your specific municipality, with a liveable, functional layout. There are often legal requirements and permits required to make major additions to your home, and working with professionals helps ensure you’re being compliant.
Prepare a budget and stay within it
Working with a licensed contractor will help you determine your costs, aligning your budget to maximize the potential benefit of your newly-constructed suite.
In December 2024, the Government of Canada announced the loan limit of the Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program would increase from $40,000 to $80,000 as part of their federal goal of building four million new homes. Many cities throughout Canada have some form of secondary suite program currently in place, including, but not limited to, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Cape Breton.
“Be prepared to deal with any disturbances from the work that’s required to be completed,” adds Khurana.
Ask yourself: Who’s living here?
Despite the name, in-law suites aren’t always built with family in mind. In some cases, homeowners elect to have a tenant to help with mortgage expenses.
“Familiarize yourself with your province’s rental board guidelines to ensure you’re following all rules pertaining to renting a property in your province, to avoid any complications, fines, or unnecessary disagreements,” Khurana shares.
What design factors should you consider with an in-law suite?
Martinez advises to always keep accessibility in mind when planning for an in-law suite. Areas like hallways and bathrooms, for instance, might need modifications depending on the age and physical health of the people living in that space.
Creating opportunities for natural light to come in—especially in basement suites—can pose design challenges, depending on if your home is on a flat or sloped lot. Also consider how much storage space you need, taking into account the lifestyle and needs of the occupants.
“It’s always a challenge with smaller spaces”, adds Martinez.
How does a secondary unit affect resale value?
Whenever one of his clients considers adding an in-law suite, Khurana advises them not to automatically assume the addition will increase your resale value.
“Each neighbourhood has different demographics and therefore, preferences,” he comments. “For example, in some affluent neighbourhoods, adding a suite can actually diminish the value of the property due to privacy or other concerns, while in more price sensitive neighbourhoods or property types, the addition of a suite can be exactly what end users need to be able to afford the property, thereby, increasing the value.”
Adding an in-law suite or secondary suite to your home could be a great option to embrace multigenerational living, or even create an additional income stream. But before you embark on this project, make sure you understand the full scope of how much the project will cost, what the legal requirements are in your area, and whether the addition might affect your resale value in the future.
If you would like to discuss your options, I'd love to chat.
Alyssa
604-418-2588
