All Forum Posts by: Sharon Ho

THANK YOU all so much for your advice and tips! Not sure why this isn't letting me tag any of you, but just wanted to say a big thank you for taking the time to write out your thoughts!!

@Carl Fredrickson That's a neat idea!! 

@Rich Bultema YUP, just a nice carpeted attic storage that is huge. And while the numbers work as a 4 bedroom, that space is a dilemma especially since I know others could potentially use as a 5th bedroom. The house already had tons of storage without this room adding to it... I'm not sure what the actual height of the flat part is since I did a virtual tour. My agent is 5' 8'' and touched it with bent arms... Waiting for her follow-up!

@Rich Bultema Thanks! I've thought about converting it to an office, playroom, or third living room but they've stated all furnishings, bedding, electronics and daily use items must be removed and relocated into one of the habitable areas. :( 

@Nathan Gesner Thanks! If I go through with the buy, I'll be sure to do just that! I live in Iowa City, but I'm new so I'm not exactly sure what the feel is here. Sucks because of the potential. It's a large space, albeit a little short. 

@Andrew B. Not a crazy idea! I actually tried to research that last night but don't know if I quite found the answer I needed...! :D The website was saying in $10-35k, but perhaps that was for an entire floor's ceiling? But according to new zoning code, I don't believe I'll be able to add that bedroom space due to the fixed 30%(?) percentage of bedrooms to habitable space in the dwelling. 

@Jonathan R McLaughlin Granted they only inspect every 2-4 years, but they've been caught twice already... But you're right, I do plan on putting it in my lease and making everyone 18+ sign that lease. They've stated all furnishings, bedding, electronics and daily use items must be removed and relocated into one of the habitable areas. That makes it harder for the room to be anything other than a huge storage room... But yes, ideally the tenants will not need 5 bedrooms... :) Thanks!

@Kenneth Garrett Surprisingly, everything is under the 7 ft.! It doesn't look like it, but that highest point is slightly under 7 ft. by a couple inches... :( Beyond this room's door are the other bedrooms (3) and bathrooms (2). All of which are normal dimensions for minimum bedroom space. It's no surprise why people do use it as a bedroom...!

There is a property I'm looking at that has (on paper) 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. There is a spacious 5th room in the finished attic that is not considered habitable because it's under the 7 ft. ceiling height. Looking up rental permit searches, I see past tenants using it as a 5th bedroom has been an issue twice on the previous owners' inspection reports. They've been warned that should it be an issue again, they will make the owners remove the door and frame to the area and create a cased opening. It bothers me that there is so much "wasted potential" in that finished attic space. I'll be house hacking the first year and can manage the property. Once I'm out, I can see future tenants using the room as a 5th bedroom despite lease conditions. Will this property cause me headaches later on? While fees would be paid by the tenants, I'm concerned that this is basis for a reduced term rental permit and impact my ability to renew permits. What would you do?