WHEN IS A BAsem*nT CONSIDERED LIVING SPACE? (2024)

FAQs

What makes a basem*nt considered living space? ›

When is a basem*nt considered living space boils down to the layout of your home, if the basem*nt is finished and matches the flow of the above-ground portion of the home, and if enough of the basem*nt was built out of the ground. A house built into a hill will probably be an exception.

A finished basem*nt must be directly accessible and contiguous with the rest of the house. If the space doesn't have permanent stairs or direct access then it isn't considered a finished living area. Finished spaces only accessed by ladders, such as lofts, are also not considered living areas.

The entire level must be above grade in order for that space to factor in to the official square footage. This almost always means that if any portion of the basem*nt is below grade, the entire level will typically be excluded from the calculation of the home's square footage.

Gross living area (GLA) is not the same as total living area (TLA.) Total living area typically includes any finished basem*nt space or possibly an accessory dwelling unit. There is a general rule of thumb, that if any portion of the finished space is below grade the entire area is considered below grade.

Using your basem*nt as an entertaining space can be a great way to add usable space to your home. One of the best things about finishing your basem*nt is that it is a brand new basem*nt living room space! Therefore you can make the basem*nt design match the rest of your home or take a completely different approach.

If you have a finished basem*nt, it should be considered part of the square footage of your home. The key word is “finished”. An unfinished basem*nt is not ever going to be considered when calculating square footage. This can get tricky and many homeowners can get confused when trying to calculate.

In short, yes. You can use your basem*nt as a bedroom, but you have to ensure that it complies with the proper building codes. Basem*nt living spaces require an emergency exit and rescue openings, also known as an egress code.

Many homes have basem*nts that are finished and used as a living space. However, it is important to be aware that there are many hazards in basem*nts. From dangerous gases to fire safety, asbestos risks, and issues with your furnace, you can put your loved ones in danger if you do not check these regularly.

Unfinished areas, screened or open patios, vaulted rooms, and airspaces are not factored into a home's square footage. Additionally, any space that requires passing through an unfinished area – such as a pool house, storage area, or guest house will not be factored into the home's square footage.

What makes square footage livable? ›

When house plan sellers refer to Total Living square feet, they are referring to the “living area” of the home. This can be thought of as the area that will be heated or cooled. It is called the living area because this is where you spend your time. An attic, while a useful storage area, is not living space.

Multiply all length and width measurements. Add all the measurements to obtain the total square footage of the home. Measure the length and width of any unheated areas, and subtract the unheated square footage from the total square footage to obtain the total living area square footage.

To Fannie Mae and appraisers, a basem*nt, even if finished with high-quality materials, cannot count as square footage. It doesn't matter how good your basem*nt looks. This is important because it leads to a specific outcome: the basem*nt will have less value to your home than your gross living area.

Any space that is partially or completely below grade is required by Fannie Mae to be reported as basem*nt area. The standard does not allow openings to the floor below, e.g., two-story foyers, to be included in the reported square footage.. All finished areas included in GLA must have a ceiling height of at least 7'.

Any space that has walls, flooring, ceiling and heat would count as finished square footage. So, it's likely that stairwells, closets, walk-in pantries and other areas you might be questioning would contribute to the square footage count of a home.

Yes, as long as they comply with the proper building codes. Usually, a basem*nt bedroom will need to have a door and an emergency exit, which may be a door to the outside or a properly-sized window.

Basem*nts and cellars in residential properties of all sizes can NEVER be lawfully rented or occupied unless the conditions meet the minimum requirements for light, air, sanitation and egress, and have received approval by the Department of Buildings (DOB).

The main difference between a partially finished basem*nt and a finished and unfinished basem*nt is that it is entirely unmodified. You may find furniture, gym equipment or recreational appliances in a partially finished basem*nt.

So, What Is the Difference Between Crawl Spaces vs. Basem*nts? As we mentioned before, the primary difference between crawl spaces and basem*nts is livability. Basem*nts are conditioned spaces meaning they are cooled, heated, or indirectly conditioned spaces while crawl spaces are considered unconditioned spaces.

Basem*nt

Your new furnace should have enough heating capacity to meet your current and future heating needs once you update your basem*nt. If your basem*nt is finished, that space needs to be included in your square footage calculation, even if you rarely use the space.

Can someone live in an unfinished basem*nt? ›

Assuming it's not rendered unlivable by conditions like mold-infestation or regular flooding, an unfinished basem*nt can be turned into useful living space without the time and expense involved in actually finishing it. In fact basem*nts are well-suited to much more than storage, and can be converted to: Home gyms.

For a room to count as a true bedroom, it must have at least 70 square feet of floor space with a minimum of 7 feet in one direction. If a room is intended for multiple occupants, there should be a minimum of 50 square feet per person.

A finished basem*nt project must incorporate an Egress window if any portion of the space will be used as a bedroom, or if you are creating another habitable space (a family room, for example) that does not already have an Egress window or a door.

What's the biggest challenge in finishing a basem*nt? “Typically, the biggest challenge is working around obstructions. There are heating ducts, plumbing drains, water pipes, gas lines and electrical wires that are all off and hung below the floor joist.

Many people wonder if finishing their basem*nt is worth the time, effort, and money to remodel their downstairs space. To answer that directly, yes, finishing your basem*nt will almost always increase the value of your property. The standard return is around 70%, according to Remodeling.HW.net.

Basem*nts have features that expose the people living in them to certain risk factors, like mould, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and radon. Risk of flooding, sewer backup, etc.

Hazards commonly found in basem*nts include toxic chemicals, pests, mold, indoor air quality issues (such as dangerous gases) and fire hazards that can affect all rooms of the home. Visit the kitchen to learn more about chemicals and pests; visit the bathroom to learn more about mold.

Basem*nts tend to have higher humidity levels than other areas of your home, due to their location under the ground. A humid basem*nt is an inviting environment for mold, which can cause health issues for the people who live in your home.

If the property is a perfect rectangle, simply measure the length and width and multiply those two numbers together. For example, if your one-story house is 60 feet wide by 40 feet long, then your property is 2,400 square feet (60 x 40 = 2,400).

How much value does an unfinished basem*nt add to a house? ›

Well, it depends on who you ask. “There's an appraised value and then there's the consumer value,” says Terrell. “It's been said that an appraiser will give 25% per square foot of the above-grade value to the finished basem*nt.”

Stairways and closets will usually be included in the square footage length. When it comes to porches and other outdoor spaces, they're usually only included if they use the same heating system as the rest of the house.

With some smart decorating and thoughtful purchases, living in 500 square feet is very possible. In fact, it can even feel comfortable and cozy. So, instead of worrying about the lack of space, embrace what you have, get creative and settle in by making every last inch your own.

500 square feet of space gives a single person more space to comfortably live. With 500 square feet of space, you can comfortably have a king-size bed in your room, an attached bathroom, a separate kitchen, and a cozy living room.

Livable space is the measurement that includes only space that you commonly use or is available for everyday use. Of the three types, livable space has the smallest square footage. You likely won't live in the storage areas, hallways, and closets. Those areas aren't included in the square footage measurements.

How to find square feet: multiply the length measurement in feet by the width measurement (in feet). This yields a product called the area, which is expressed in square feet (or square inches if you are calculating a much smaller space, such as a dollhouse).

Gross living area does not include unfinished spaces (e.g., exposed floor joists, wall studs, and roof rafters) or unlivable areas (e.g., stairwells, stair landings), either above or below grade. Therefore, any area, either partially or fully below grade—like a walk-out basem*nt—is not recognized as gross living area.

A 12 x 18 ft living room is a rather average size living room. Paul states that this living room, “would fit between 6 and 10 people in a conversation area with about 5 of the seats facing the TV.”

To be considered truly finished, a basem*nt must have a permanent heating and cooling system, be easily accessible, and match the rest of your house. In other words, a finished basem*nt should be an extension of your home's living space.

BAsem*nT FINISHING DEFINED

In order to complete a basem*nt finish, your current space usually lacks drywall, insulation, plumbing, and flooring. Basem*nts that are partially finished may have drywall and electricity installed, but still require substantial work to be completely finished.

Does a walkout basem*nt count as square footage in Michigan? ›

Does a finished basem*nt count as square footage towards my home? A. In Michigan, space that is not fully above grade does not count towards the overall square footage of your home. However, basem*nts that have a high quality finish can add substantial value to your home and are extremely desirable to potential buyers.

Areas that have any portion that is below the ground is considered a basem*nt. This basem*nt area is separated into finished and unfinished area. The finished area of the basem*nt is not included with the finished area of the main level GLA because they are valued at different amounts.

Total living area typically includes any finished basem*nt space or possibly an accessory dwelling unit. There is a general rule of thumb, that if any portion of the finished space is below grade the entire area is considered below grade.

An appraiser will consider the value of non-GLA space to the home, but will not count it as part of GLA. This can get confusing to a seller. Generally, it is agreed that bedrooms, living rooms, dens, kitchens, and dining rooms are counted as rooms.

As a result, the living space actually includes only those rooms that serve for living, living and residence in the house or apartment. Typical rooms included in the living space are living rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms, an office or a study in the apartment, bathroom, separate toilet, kitchen and dining room.

Full: Not to be confused with ”finished”, a full basem*nt refers to the space being big enough to stand in. This type of basem*nt can be used for living space or storage and typically increases the value of a home.

What's included in a home's square footage? Main living spaces make up the bulk of your home's square footage, including the kitchen, the living room, the dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Stairways and hallways are also included, although these spaces are not as easy to measure as square rooms.

A crawl space and a basem*nt are not the same – in fact, there are many differences between the two. The confusion between the two open spaces under a home is common, especially for unfinished basem*nts, or half crawl space/half basem*nt spaces.

A finished basem*nt project must incorporate an Egress window if any portion of the space will be used as a bedroom, or if you are creating another habitable space (a family room, for example) that does not already have an Egress window or a door.

Living Space means areas in a dwelling unit that are livable space. This does not include closets, crawl spaces, and other storage areas.

What is considered non living space? ›

An attic, while a useful storage area, is not living space. Same with the garage or basem*nt space that is not finished. Even some spaces over a garage are not considered “Living Area”.

Measure the length and width, in feet, of each room. Then, multiply the length by the width to calculate that room's square footage. For example: If a bedroom is 12 feet by 20 feet, it is 240 square feet (12 x 20 = 240).

Living in a basem*nt apartment may cause several diseases, owing to molds and radon. Mold is a type of fungi that grows very easily in damp places. Radon, an odourless and colourless gas that causes lung cancer, is commonly found in basem*nt apartments and is harmful to human health.

Persistent exposure to VOCs, radon, and particle pollution cause a wide range of health problems. Combined they can exacerbate serious pre-existing conditions. The pollutants found in basem*nts may cause inflammation, especially in people with medical conditions like asthma, sensitive airways or allergies.

Crawl spaces are alternatives to basem*nts that create a barrier between the ground and the floor of a home. They are usually small, unfinished spaces underneath a home ranging from one to three feet in height, although sometimes crawl spaces have areas high enough for homeowners to stand up.

Does a basem*nt count toward overall square footage? As a general rule of thumb, listing agents and appraisers don't count a finished basem*nt toward the overall square footage, especially if the basem*nt is completely below grade—a term that means below ground level.

As a general rule, basem*nts are much larger than crawl spaces. The average basem*nt is about 8 feet tall whereas most crawl spaces are only 3 feet tall, leaving just enough room for you to crawl around on your hands and knees (hence the name).