Build a house with a separate apartment All the benefits

A separate apartment in your own home can be used as a place to stay for family, friends or acquaintances. In addition to additional living space, it also offers financial and tax benefits. We will tell you how you will benefit if you build a house with a separate apartment.

What is a granny flat?

We talk about a Granny Flat when there is a separate living unit in a single-family home. This can be under the roof or in the basement. It does not necessarily have to be locked, but it must be independently rentable. Further requirements are the entrance and corridor of the shared house. An apartment with a separate entrance is not considered a granny flat.

If you want to build a house with a separate apartment but are not keen on an integrated apartment, you have the option of having the housing unit built as a ground floor extension. This also ensures accessibility.

The possible uses of a separate apartment are many

A granny flat means additional flexible space in your home because it offers a wide range of possible uses. The purpose can be adapted over the years to current living conditions. Possible uses include:

• Multigenerational Living: If you build a house with a separate apartment, you can turn your property into a multigenerational home if you want. In one, at least two generations live together under the same roof. Whether grandparents with children and grandchildren or a couple living with friends, the constellation of inhabitants depends on each shared apartment. Either way, multigenerational living brings all your loved ones together under one roof.
• Apartment for rent: Of course it is also possible to rent the granny flat on your property. This can happen temporarily, as a holiday apartment, but also long-term. In both cases, homeowners benefit from the rental income. You can use it to finance your home or as additional income if you want to make your daily work life more relaxed.
• Home-Office: Working from home is convenient and saves time. However, working from home often requires quiet, separate rooms. A granny flat meets this requirement optimally. It offers space for a desk, filing cabinets, etc., but can also be adapted to individual working methods. The independent apartments on the ground floor are also ideal as a location for small independently managed businesses that need not only an office but also a laboratory or warehouse.

If you build a house with a separate apartment, you will enjoy financial and tax advantages

Grandma’s apartment as an additional source of income

Building a house with a separate apartment means creating a stable investment for the future. Living space is more in demand today than ever, which is why a separate apartment represents a profitable source of income, regardless of whether you offer the granny flat for short or long-term rental. The resulting rental income is generally taxable. However, maintenance or modernization measures can be deducted from the tax.

Make the most of your sloping property

Sloping terrain always poses very particular challenges in terms of space management. However, a basement granny flat is ideal for creating additional living space in your basement. This way you will not waste square meters of your property, but you will be able to make full use of the available space.

Already have a house with a basement and want to do more with it? You can find alternatives to the granny flat in our blog post “Expanding the basement: this way you can make unused rooms in the basement functional”.

A granny flat increases the value of your property

If you or your children plan to sell the property in the future, you can expect higher sales prices if the home has a separate apartment.

Potential buyers benefit from the same two-unit benefits you do: more living space, the possibility of multigenerational living or a home office, and the ability to rent. A secondary apartment therefore always means a long-term increase in the value of the entire property.

Would you like to build a house with a separate apartment? Contact us. We will be happy to advise you on your construction project.

For further reading

Many people later plan to set up a granny flat. This often requires renovation of the living space under the roof. Windows that provide sufficient daylight are essential. Read our blog post “Installation of Roof Windows: Planning and Financing Features” and find out everything you need to know about “Roof Windows”.