SB 1211 Brings Affordable Housing Right Into Your Backyard

2025 Is the Year of Granny Flats in California

Everyone knows that lack of affordable housing is a problem, especially in Southern California, but so many of the proposed solutions to it run into insurmountable levels of red tape. Why not just turn that vacant mall into an apartment building? No can do; this is not a residential neighborhood? Why not build duplexes on that golf course? No dice; the rich people would rather have a place to play golf than a place for everyone else to live. What about if the houses are tiny? If they are here, they are still taking up too much room.

The good news is that the California legislature has just passed a law that will enable property owners to build additional housing units on their own residential properties. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) were once seen as a money-saving strategy for cheap but controlling people who wanted to keep tabs on their elderly relatives without going as far as to let their elderly relatives live in their houses with them. If you plan to build one or more ADUs on your property and want to make sure that you are complying with current laws, contact a California real estate law attorney.

SB 1211 Brings Affordable Housing Right Into Your Backyard

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are small houses built on the grounds of an existing residential real estate property. At minimum, they have a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a seating area. Some of them are free-standing structures, popularly known as granny flats, while others are finished basements or otherwise adjoining wings to the main house; the latter kind are popularly known as mother-in-law suites. Until recently, the law restricted property owners to two ADUs per property.

Pursuant to SB 1211, which goes into effect this year, a residential real estate property can have up to eight ADUs in addition to the main house. This is a boon to people who bought too much house and are now lonely and strapped for cash. It is also a boon to home improvement contractors, but most of all to people who are looking for apartments but finding that nothing is available because all of the livable land is being taken up by McMansions and their huge backyards.

By building ADUs on your property, you can reap the economic benefits of a multigenerational household while keeping the peace because every adult or every couple has their own kitchen and bathroom. You can also bring in rental income by renting out ADUs on your property. ADUs are a win-win situation for owners and tenants, and if you want in on the action, a real estate lawyer can help you navigate the legal aspects.

Contact SNR Real Estate Group to purchase your next

A real estate attorney can help you if you are planning to build ADUs on your property to establish a multigenerational household or build your own real estate empire. Contact SNR Law Group in Tustin, California to discuss your case.

Sources

https://www.fastcompany.com/91242299/how-californias-adu-law-transforms-multifamily-real-estate