Does this count as a closet??

Question

Hey everyone,

I am in the process of getting a property appraised. It is located in Massachusetts and I have been researching what qualifies a bedroom as a bedroom. It seems like in order to make a bedroom a bedroom, amongst other things, it needs a closet. In order to be a value add I would love to make a couple rooms that tenants have been using as bedrooms actually qualify as a bedroom to the appraiser. The house was built in 1920’s if that affects anything. Any insight would be super appreciated. Please let me know if you need any further information.

Would this qualify as a “closet”?

It has all the other requirements other than a closet.

Lien Vuong · Answer

If it's built in 1920's the closet rule does not apply bc it doesnt have to comply to today's standards. That being said, I would check public records and see what they do list as the legal number of beds and appraiser usually will go with that.

Other notes:

• What a bedroom cannot have - a door to the outside - those are considered common areas and used as living rooms or rec spaces so it's unlikely an appraiser will consider that. 
• Should be at least 10 x 10 room with a window 
• You do NOT need a closet to count as a bedroom as generations before used armoire
• Unlikely they will consider it a bedroom if you need to pass one bedroom to get into another 
• In Boston, many units have dining rooms that have been converted to bedrooms, appraisers know this and while they wont report you, they wont consider it legal bedrooms
•

James Reade · Answer

I would recommend looking at the building code. I believe the square footage has been reduced from 100sq foot. To 70 sq ft. Has to measure 7 feet in one direction at least and have  7 feet of height for the majority of the room I believe. Contrary to what everyone believes a room doesn’t have to have a closet to qualify as a bedroom in the state of Massachusetts. These are your requirements.... square footage 70... see above, affords privacy, which means even with no door on the room it still could afford privacy if you put a sheet up. Door way would have to be open to more than 5 feet to not qualify as a bedroom. Last has ventilation! Correct size window for egress.. In the building code. Lastly, if on septic the system has to have previously qualified as those many bedrooms other wise you have to have  an engineer and testing company confirm it would be able to keep up with X number or bedrooms.

Mark Mahoney · Answer

@Lien Vuong

Thank you so much! Very helpful

Ben Baye · Answer

@Mark Mahoney

This is a great question. While I’m not from MA I do a lot of renovations and our appraisers (At least the ones I’ve worked with, I’m sure there’s someone who will read this and have had a different experience) will allow a “IKEA” or similar cabinet style closet as long as it is fixed to the wall like a cabinet.

Usually when I have a question like this I contact the inspector for the town or city and they typically can answer those questions.

Victor S. · Answer

amen, closet "requirement" comes from the realtors and not building code regulations. however, if you are selling a house, it is best to add one so you don't have to fight appraisers/realtors on what is and isn't considered a bedroom. you can strap that armoire to a wall, so it's not shifting around and probably call it good, but I'd run that by some experienced agents first.

Filipe Pereira · Answer

Licensed agent in CT and MA here...this definitely wouldn't count as a closet. It would have to be a permanent fixture, tied into / connected to the walls. I'd be willing to bet that the verbiage of what constitutes a closet might even say something along the lines of "being built of similar materials to the remaining structure" (i.e. drywall, wood studs, etc). I can't say that for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised.  Are you trying to meet a code requirement saying you need a closet to call it a bedroom? In MA if the house is older (think WW2 old) you can get away without it having a closet due to the age of the property.

Mark Mahoney · Answer

@Aaron K. Got it, thank you.

Anyone in MA have anything they could add? I’m assuming this shortcut won’t cut it but would

Appreciate any further info.

Aaron K. · Answer

@Mark Mahoney while the $150 option probably isn't going to cut it, it can probably be done for $500 worth of drywall work and some closet doors.

Aaron K. · Answer

@Mark Mahoney in my state at least, no it must be part of the home not just an armoire or similiar piece of furniture to be a legal bedroom.

Does this count as a closet??

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