You are considering an income property.  Maybe you want a duplex or a triplex so that you can live in one unit and rent out the rest.  Maybe you want to build a brand new multi-family home on land you have acquired.  Whatever your reasoning for wanting to build an income property, it is important to remember that you need to adhere to certain rules as a landlord.  The following are all considerations that you need to make when it comes to your income property.

All Tenants Need All Basic Amenities

By this we mean easy access to their unit, as well as a functional kitchen and bath.  If you are building a brand new property you can easily take all of this into consideration, but if you are converting an older property or splitting up an older home into units, this may take some clever planning.  You may need to add bathrooms and kitchens where there weren’t any before.  You may also need to add walls, doors, and staircases.  With this in mind it is important to bring on a good contractor to help you through the process and to make sure you are staying within code.

Safety First

Multi-family units are required to have safety features to ensure that your tenants have an escape route in case of fire or an emergency.  This may include building fire escapes or installing rope ladders.  You will also probably need to install fire exit signs and fire extinguishers.  This is all done in the name of safety for your tenant.  It will also help when it comes to insuring your property.

Proofing The Home

The most important proofing you can do for your multi-family units is to add fire proofing.  In a new construction building you can add fire proof walls to help confine a fire if one unit should have one.  In an older building this may be trickier, but your contractor can let you know what options you have in this department.

Another “proof” to consider is sound proofing.  You are more likely to retain happy tenants if they can’t hear each other’s every footstep.  If you decide to live in one of your units, you will also be happy to silence your neighbors.  While this may not be a requirement in a multi-family unit, it is a smart investment in the long run.

Consult With An Expert and Follow The Rules

With every building there are codes to adhere to, and with a multi-family unit there are more rules than there are with a single family home.  To ensure that you make all of the right renovations or building decisions, it is important to consult with an experienced contractor to help with the process.  You will be happy that you did.

If you live in South Jersey or the Philadelphia area, American Custom Construction can help you build or renovate a multi-family home.  Call us today to learn more about our services.  We can’t wait to help you with your income property.

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