Ask the Expert

ANSWER:

There is no one place to get all the information needed. First you will need to talk to city hall to see if it is allowed by the property’s zoning. At the same time they can provide information on the building permits required, parking issues, along with the required fees. Also contact CMHC for information as their website has lots of info to start you off. You also may qualify for funding from CMHC depending on the type of housing you are providing and your location.

Next, you will need a design professional – interior designer or architect – to come up with the drawings for the building permits. As there are additional issues to be addressed with multi-unit housing, I would not suggest that you produce the drawings yourself. These issues include fire safety and sound transfer.

Also consider the services your tenant will require. I would ensure that separate metering and/or sources for heat, hydro, and water are installed. The last thing you need is a battle over who owes what every month.

I would have a professional renovator looking at your plans as well as provide ongoing input as you go through the process. They can help you cost effectively renovate both sides as required, ensure you pass all the inspections, and have a safe home for your new tenants.

Expert's Bio

Rob Wright has grown up around construction. His father is a engineer and from a young age he was taken to many construction sites. He went to Algonquin College to study architecture and engineering, and during summers worked on various construction sites in various roles. From college, he worked for many different commercial general and excavation contractors in Ottawa and Toronto. This involved projects as diverse as water treatment plants, office towers, shopping malls, recreation faculties, and schools. In the mid 1990’s, Rob joined and took over Citadel Renovations in Ottawa. Since that time, Rob has helped many homeowners improve their homes. The projects have ranged from simple home repairs to extensive addition and/or rebuild renovations in various locations in Eastern Ontario. In addition, Citadel Renovations has supplied services to Home Depot customers. Rob has been active in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association for many years and has been the Renovation Council Chair in the past. Recently, Rob has presented seminars at the local home shows on various renovations subjects.