Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts
In Boston, Massachusetts can I build out my basement with a bathroom and rent it as a room? Can I use the bulkhead as one egress and the renter comes up the stairs, and either goes through my kitchen or through my living room as a second exit? The basement windows are too small for a person to fit, would these have to be enlarged? Do I have to have a firewall between the basement and the first floor? Does the fire marshall inspect this firewall? Do I have to get a permit to do the work? What happens if I don't get a permit, complete the work and rent out the room? Would I be liable for anything? There would be no kitchen so it wouldn't be an apartment.
Asked on 2/14/11, 11:50 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Paul Lancia
Attorney Paul Lancia
Of course you need a building permit to do such work on your house.
Answered on 2/14/11, 12:31 pm