Edmonton half duplex illegal basement suite

[margaretcowan]

Hello!

I`m looking at an Edmonton half duplex with an illegal basement suite. What has been your experience with illegal basement suites in Edmonton?

I have to make sure the basement suite is well maintained and safe, not a hovel where tenants would have trouble getting out in a fire. What`s your experience in dealing with the City of Edmonton to make sure basement suites meet safety and well being standards?

What`s your experience with neighbours reporting illegal suites to the City of Edmonton? How strict is the City of Edmonton on illegal basement suites?

Thanks!
Margaret in Vancouver

 

[GarthChapman]

Edmonton doesn`t worry much about Zoning issues in my experience,but they do take Fire and Safety codes very seriously. And then there is Capital Health - they rule supreme and you must be prepared to make them happy.

Your Lender may require some of these departments to provide their stamp of approval in order to finance the property.

Do a search for this topic - it has been well covered here previously.

 

[DonCampbell]

In Edmonton Garth is correct in stating that the most important piece is the Capital Health regulations and the Fire & Safety Codes

That being said the city themselves can be VERY aggressive in shutting down non-confoming suites if they receive complaints, with parking and noise being the main causes for these complaints.

Find out if it is a region that is under review for future potential of legalizing these suites as that discussion has been on the books throughout 2008.