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Answers (6)
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21432
In California, the term often used is "Granny Flat". Often on Single Family Zoned lots, a small back house may exist. The state actually even mandated it as part of an "affordable housing" program where the cities didn't have other ordinances prohibiting it.
Some "Granny Flats" were illegal conversions. Others were small separate "family rooms" with bathroom where a kitchen was added. Others were "pool houses". Others were "servants' quarters on larger lots. Sometimes they are units build above a garage, but this is often not usable for a grandparent due to loss of mobility and no wheelchair or walker access.
The Zoning code often allows auxiliary structures on Single Family zoned lots. What determines if it is a separate unit is the "kitchen". But if one has a "wet bar" and a "microwave", it is not a kitchen. Add an electric hot plate, and you essentially have a kitchen, and thus a separate unit, and it can't be regulated against. Occasionally neighbors will complain about the psudo-unit being rented separately, but really, it is no different than renting out a bedroom in your house to a student.
Some "Granny Flats" were illegal conversions. Others were small separate "family rooms" with bathroom where a kitchen was added. Others were "pool houses". Others were "servants' quarters on larger lots. Sometimes they are units build above a garage, but this is often not usable for a grandparent due to loss of mobility and no wheelchair or walker access.
The Zoning code often allows auxiliary structures on Single Family zoned lots. What determines if it is a separate unit is the "kitchen". But if one has a "wet bar" and a "microwave", it is not a kitchen. Add an electric hot plate, and you essentially have a kitchen, and thus a separate unit, and it can't be regulated against. Occasionally neighbors will complain about the psudo-unit being rented separately, but really, it is no different than renting out a bedroom in your house to a student.
- Mitchell Feldman, "Full Time Broker"
- Contributions:775
Dear Alexander:
The term "mother/daughter" has no true legal definition, it is a slang term. As a matter of fact, licensed real estate brokers and sales people in New York are prohibited from using the term in marketing efforts because it implies that the house is a two family or has two apartments. A two family house is a two family house and a one family house is a one family house. There are no gray areas, you either have a one family or a two family. Because it is a slang term "mother/daughter" can be interpreted in many different ways (as you can see by the previous answers).
Real estate law varies from state to state, so this answer may or may not apply to real estate matters outside of New York State.
Sincerely,
Mitchell Feldman
Associate Broker/Director of Sales
Madison Estates & Properties, Inc.
The term "mother/daughter" has no true legal definition, it is a slang term. As a matter of fact, licensed real estate brokers and sales people in New York are prohibited from using the term in marketing efforts because it implies that the house is a two family or has two apartments. A two family house is a two family house and a one family house is a one family house. There are no gray areas, you either have a one family or a two family. Because it is a slang term "mother/daughter" can be interpreted in many different ways (as you can see by the previous answers).
Real estate law varies from state to state, so this answer may or may not apply to real estate matters outside of New York State.
Sincerely,
Mitchell Feldman
Associate Broker/Director of Sales
Madison Estates & Properties, Inc.
- Yvonne Bernard, "YvonneBernard"
- Contributions:50
It usually means separate accomodations on the same property attached or detached with it's own kitchen, bath and entrance.
- Dorit Katz, "katzdo"
- Contributions:34
It may depend where you are looking. In Rockland and Orange Counties, mother/daughter usually means that it is a single family home that is configured in such a way to give extended family a place of there own within the same structure. This may or may not include a second kitchen area.
- Alexander Eugene, "AlexanderEugene"
- Contributions:3
Thanks Mike! I will keep that in mind.
- Mike Akerly, Esq., "Akerly Real Estate"
- Contributions:13
It refers to the configuration of a two-family property. Typically, it would refer to a larger unit (e.g. 3 bedrooms) over or above a smaller unit (e.g. 1 bedroom). More important is the total number of bedrooms and the square footage of the building.
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Kindest regards,
Mike Akerly
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Kindest regards,
Mike Akerly
what does the real estate term "mother/daughter" means when its in a description of an home?
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