What is an in-law apartment and exactly how would it be of use in a home? An in-law apartment is a living space separate from the main living area in a home. It typically is located in a basement, above a garage, attached onto the house, or in some instances detached, but still on the property.  These apartments typically need to include a separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area in order to be up to regulations.

Having in-law apartments are becoming increasingly popular. Contrary to the name, in-law apartments aren’t just for in laws.  They can be a great place for aging family members, but also for caregivers if the owners of the house want to age in place.  If a young family needs a little assistance from their family or an adult kid moved back home after college, this is also a great option. Lastly, in some cities, you may even be able to rent it out to strangers.

There are many regulations you have to follow if you want to build or create an in-law apartment, but there could be many benefits to doing so, if you could afford the costs that may be involved. The costs can be around $40,000 for spaces that you are converting, but can be much more costly ($100,000 or more) for those that aren’t attached to the main home.

Creating an in-law apartment can be beneficial to the homeowners and the surrounding community.  If renting out the in-law apartment, this can help provide a second source of income for the family.  An in-law apartment can be a great investment to add onto your home.