Pros and Cons of an In-Law Unit

An in-law unit in a residence can be useful in a variety of ways. Whether you rent a place that includes an in-law unit or you’re contemplating renting one as your own, there are several things to take into consideration before getting an in-law unit.

What is an in-law unit?

An in-law unit, also called a mother-in-law apartment or a guest suite, is an additional but separate living space in a single-family home. An in-law unit usually has its own entrance, bathroom, living area, and bedroom. It may also have a small kitchen to allow the resident complete independence from the house’s facilities.

The unit may consist of an area over a garage or a separate apartment created inside the attic or basement of the house. Instead of converting existing space in the house into a separate living unit, it may be an addition to a house. Finally, a guest suite can be a free-standing structure completely detached from the main house, such as a small cottage on the property.

Why might people want an in-law unit?

As the average age of the population increases, in-law units are becoming more popular. Multigenerational households are becoming increasingly common as aging parents move in with their adult children whose own children are living at home into adulthood.

Here are some of the most common uses for a guest suite:

• For convenient short-term lodging for in-laws, adult children, or other guests who visit frequently
• As an alternative to assisted living, an in-law unit allows people to house an aging relative in a safe place where the family can easily watch over them
• As longer-term housing for an older child or an adult relative
• To provide on-site but separate living space for a live-in nanny
• As a rental unit

Pros to Having an In-Law Unit

There are many benefits to having an in-law unit in your home:

Provides Housing For Relatives

You may have an aging parent or a young adult child who lives in the unit. This allows you the convenience to check in on them and ensure their well-being.

Less Intrusive Accommodations for Guests

Whether you have a family member living in your household permanently or you have frequent visitors, the in-law suite provides a separate living space so you can maintain more privacy within your home. This makes the guest quarters more comfortable for both your household and your guests. 

Potential Rental Suite

You may have an in-law unit as part of your own rental house. Renting the in-law unit out may be more comfortable than renting out a room in your house. When you rent out a room in your house, there are areas of combined living space such as the kitchen and bathrooms. Many people feel more comfortable renting when there is a separate entrance and amenities instead of renting out a room.

Additional Storage Space

It’s very common to use the in-law unit as space for additional household storage. It may be convenient to use the extra space for items like larger pieces of furniture you’re not ready to part with or off-season recreational equipment.

Cons to Renting an In-Law Unit

Shared Spaces

When you rent an in-law unit, you’ll likely be sharing the backyard with the renters or homeowners in the main house. Additionally, you may share the front yard, laundry area, and any other outdoor spaces with other people.

More Frequent Visitors and House Guests

Once friends and family know you have a guest suite available, you might receive requests from people who want to use the space. It may be hard to say no to requests, so you might find yourself hosting guests frequently.

Decrease in Privacy

If you rent out an in-law unit, you’ll have other people living on the same property lot. Even with a completely separate entrance and living space, this might affect your feelings of privacy and comfort at home.

You May Have to Manage Renters

If you have an in-law unit at your rental home and you plan on renting it out (assuming it’s legal to do and your landlord approves), you’ll effectively become a landlord yourself. You’ll have to deal with contracts, collecting rent, maintenance and upkeep of the unit, the potential damage caused by renters, and the other responsibilities of a property manager. Fortunately, there are online sites like Zumper which can make it easy to find a renter for your guest suite.

There are a lot of potential benefits and drawbacks to a guest suite. Once you consider the pros and cons of an in-law unit, you can decide whether or not it’s the right kind of rental for you.