NWR: Basement Apt

Original post by Missladybug15

Mar 22, 2007 08:04 AM

FH and I looked at a basement apt recently that seemed to really be great. Can you girls give me any pros or cons to renting in a basement? Thanks so much

MJDoc12 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 01:06 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

DH and i live in a basement apt. it's cheap...and VERY VERY spacious. our landlord is great and we have plenty of privace and our own entrance and ample parking.

do i plan on living in a basement apartment for the rest of my life? no. but is is a good starter place for us? absolutely.

not everyone can afford a brand new condo or house when they are first starting out.....so DH and i are doing what we have to, saving some money and living happy.

portjeffbride Posted: Mar 22, 2007 01:17 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

it depends on how 'basementy' they are. If they are completely underground, they are a safety hazard and illegal unless you have 2 'exgress' areas (full-sized windows or doors leading directly to the outside).

other than that, they are frequently dark, and therefore depressing. They can also be very damp, and have poor temperature regulation.
you can frequently also hear people walking/talking on the 1st floor.....

BubbasBride Posted: Mar 22, 2007 02:10 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

i lived in a basement apartment for a year in Boston. The only thing to keep in mind is it can be a bit dark and you should definitely get a dehumidifier. Other than that, I never had any problems.

jeanmarie Posted: Mar 22, 2007 02:11 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

My ex-hubby is a vol. firemen and he always said that they are very dangerous to t he tenants and firefighters if god forbid there was a fire.

mycrayon1 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 02:20 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

It all depends. One they usually aren't legal. but renting one myself I can't really say anything against it.
The con's are- you can generally hear upstairs at least walking around. And God Forbid their basement floods its your apartment too.

I have really great landlords and all we hear is them moving around, no tv or their baby crying. If your in our bathroom you sometimes can hear the washer/dryer going but not too often.

NO matter which way you go with renting make sure you have renters insurance for that just in case.

jessruth9 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 02:27 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

It all depends on the space. If you like it and feel comforable then go for it! You should definitey go to see it when there is activity upstairs so that you can get a feel for the noise level. Good Luck!

chatxleau24 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 03:02 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

PROS: better price

CONS: not legal apt, u hear everything when ppl walk around upstairs, poor ventilation, mini/no windows, moisture problems

the cons arent definite but u should check into them before renting.

the 'legal' issue doesnt really matter too much - most apartments in general arent legal and either way as renter the law is on your side whether u have a contract or not.

drpepper318 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 03:40 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

We were in a basement apt for 2 years. It would have been okay for a few months, but after a while I couldn't stand it with all the problems that started. There was hardly any sunlight which I think was making me depressed, also very little privacy, the flooding, the mold, and the bugs. By the time we moved I was so glad to get out of there!

znycgirl Posted: Mar 22, 2007 06:27 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

My opinion: FOLLOW your head/heart.

Legality is based on the registration of the building. Windows must be present in a certain configuration & only a certain amount of the apt can be below ground level. In multiple family homes, you need fire-escapes, steel doors and elevators after a certain number of families: and THUS the propensity for illegality. ALSO note: there are plenty of illegal ground-level apartments (esp in LI because the homes are usually registered as one family).

Agree: If you have multiple boilers, the building has been converted to a legal whatever family.

BUT: what's the big deal of legal vs illegal apts? The restrictions are aimed at not having 40 people live in a hole. You saw the place: if you like it: go for it.

YES you will hear noise. No kidding: it's an APARTMENT. I hear noise/kids running. I live on the 26th floor. YES you have the chance of the boiler flooding. But, that has happened only once in the whole lifetime of my parent's home. A hurricaine has hit twice. Pick your poison. And NO, most places do not have mold. Wooden homes are more likely to have mold. And THIS is something those who are buying a first home should get an inspector to look for. Keep in mind, this place is re-done.

Missladybug15 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 07:21 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

Thank you so much for your voices ladies!! You girls are the best!!!

diva7531 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 07:51 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

Posted by Licee15

They aren't legal.

They can be legal, they have to have 2 entrances.

shelby34 Posted: Mar 22, 2007 08:20 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

I lived in a basement apt. in college and it wasn't too bad. You do hear walking above you a lot and it can get damp and musty....get a dehumidifier.

chrissyandvin Posted: Mar 22, 2007 08:58 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

ok Real Estate Graduate here NO basement apartment is legal no matter how many exists there are or how big the windows are! That's for sure!! BUT tons of people have them.. I used to live in one (a BEAUTIFUL one I might add! I was sooo sick though ALL the time! U need to keep a dehumidifier on at ALL times! As soon as I moved out and my friend moved in.. she is now sick all the time!!!!

chrissyandvin Posted: Mar 22, 2007 08:59 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

Posted by diva7531

Posted by Licee15

They aren't legal.

They can be legal, they have to have 2 entrances.

Nope not true.. they are illegal.. that was a STATE question on my exam and NONE are legal no matter what! unless it was rented before 1962 and the same people are there LOL

GraceAndAdam Posted: Mar 23, 2007 01:09 AM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

I think it really depends on the specific apartment and owners. I know people who have lived in basement apts. with no problems. But I have rented 2 basement apts. in the past and had trouble with both. In one the burner that heated the entire house broke (in the middle of February! ) and the owner of the house said he wasn't going to replace it since he was selling the house in a couple of months to someone who was going to tear the whole house down anyway. Needless to say, I moved out asap, and luckily he gave me most of my money back!
When you live in an illegal apt. you never know what the owners will do. But if you feel comfortable with the owners and the apt. seems clean and safe, then you should be fine. I was just young and stupid when I rented my apt. I should have realized there was a reason why the rent was so cheap!

AlmostKulak Posted: Mar 23, 2007 06:18 AM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

You have to check it out for yourself and see how much sunlight you will have and maybe contact the previous tenants and ask them some questions. They will tell you some pros and cons you haven't even thought of.

LisanAshMay07 Posted: Mar 23, 2007 06:29 AM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

FH and I lived ina studio basement apartment, and I have to say that I hated it. You can hear everything that goes on upstairs, and I guess vice versa. Also, when it rained, we had to watch - cause we would get water at times.

Mrs.NicolaXoXo Posted: Apr 02, 2007 01:48 PM

Re: NWR: Basement Apt

My parents have a beautiful basement apartment for rent in Port Jefferson Station. It acutally has sliding doors and doesn't seem like a basement at all! The place is in tip top condition it is amaculate (my grandma just moved out of it). Please contact me if you are interested because my parents are looking for tenents right now.