Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a popular trend among homeowners, and it is unlikely to become unexciting to them. On the basis of their versatility, granny flats have already appeared in the backyards of many Americans all over the States. Some of them build ADUs to use them to rent out, certain individuals transform these places into the first property of their adult children, and some like to see them as a guest house. However, before you start building your own ADU, it is of utter importance that you know about unforeseen circumstances that may occur in the future.
Unforeseen circumstances can be called an umbrella term as they include unexpected repairs, tenant emergencies, changes in local laws, or unexpected financial setbacks. But in any of these cases, you should know how to react.
In this article, we have decided to create an essential list of tips that you should follow while dealing with circumstances. We promise that by the end of it, you will be an expert in any of the mentioned questions. So, without further ado, let's start!
ADU projects take time to bring them to life, and consequently, they are very valuable. But every now and then, there will be situations when you will have to do some repairs in your ADU, and the faster you do so, the better, as it will help you minimize the cost of it in the future. But what measures can help you in most cases? We will figure it out now.
The repairs may be costly, and it may take time to fix the existing structure, so it's better to act quickly. While looking for money, you may lose precious hours. In this case, it is better to have an emergency fund and take money from it.
To avoid fixing elements of your accessory dwelling unit, perhaps it is smarter to do regular checks. A specially trained professional can come to your location and check everything, from the utility connections to the fire sprinklers. Fix them now to avoid splashing cash later.
If the furniture, for example, wasn't ruined by you, why should you pay? Make your tenants do so by putting it into the agreement. This will save your budget, and you will act under the law. You will definitely sleep better at night knowing that your living space is protected by the government.
Many homeowners commence ADU construction to make a profit out of it. They rent it out to the tenants, and they become like single-family homes. However, the emergency situations of the dwellers should be considered too.
To avoid any inconvenience, it is important to check the understanding of how your accessory dwelling unit works. Who to contact in case of emergency? How do the emergency systems work? What should be done on-site? Your tenants should know the answers to these questions and the general rules of self-help.
But from your side, you can also do something right now. For example, one of the main elements of fast response is an emergency kit. Have you got one? It's high time you had one! Think about what elements your tenants may need and put them in a place where everyone can reach them.
Renters come and go, but you have to maintain the profit coming from your structures and your property. Hence, for your budget, it is vital to know how to replace the dweller turnover.
The following tips should help you keep your units in use and your housing business flourishing:
These are just several tips, but if you follow them, you will be able to deal with tenant turnover with flying colors!
But how to handle the changes in local regulations and laws? The most important thing here is to get informed on all the changes. To do so, you should check the official page of the local government. Also, sites like the Department of Housing and Urban Development should help too.
The ultimate decision here would be to get acquainted with people who work in this or that department, so you could find out faster about the possible changes and get prepared. You can also affect the new state law through them by voicing your concerns and raising questions about the regulatory means.
No one likes losing money, especially the one you have earned with your honest labor. The ADU project in which you have invested your money should be profitable under any circumstances. But our time is a challenging time, and there are many factors that may influence the profitability of your unit. To get from it the same benefits as usual, you should keep in mind an action plan.
We have created a list of tips that will help you manage unexpected financial setbacks:
By keeping all this in mind, you will be able to manage your property even during times of great turbulence. Remember that a clear mind and goal-setting is your key to success!
Natural disasters don't ask for a permit and occur whenever they want. Even though we cannot prevent them, it is our task to prepare for them and know how to deal with them. It may be a time-consuming process, but in the end, it will pay off. After all, the thing that you want the least is to get someone injured or have your unit damaged.
To prepare for an emergency, it is important to have a clear response plan. Just like the number of different disasters is enormous, you should also know what to do in case of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and so on. This emergency plan will help not only the ADU dwellers but also your primary dwelling. But to do so, all your tenants should be informed.
Insurance is another way of protecting your properties from the unexpected. No matter how serious the damage is, the insurance company has to compensate you for the expenses of constructing the ADU. Be aware that it takes time to get money from the insurance company, and the whole process may take months.
One of the most important factors in the face of unforeseen circumstances is qualitative communication. This will let both tenants, and you recognize the danger and find ways to solve it. But what are the key elements of successful communication?
It should be clear to you that during such communication, every detail is essential, from the length of disturbance to the timetable of the impact. This will give you and the tenant a clear picture of what has happened and let you create a plan of action.
In case there are several emergencies at once, it is important that you figure out in what order they should be solved with minimum damage. Don't forget about keeping contact throughout the whole process of fixing things.
It is not a secret that trends tend to change, and you should keep it in mind while building an ADU. You can change your accessory dwelling unit to correspond to the latest trends and market changes. So to speak, there are no limits concerning the adaptation of your units to market changes and trends. But how can it be done? We have created a list of the steps toward the ADU renovation.
Follow the steps below to make your ADU comply with the demand of society:
Having transformed your ADU to fit the modern trends, you will be able to find more tenants, which will eventually bring more cash into your pockets.
If you have decided to put your foot in the renting business, be ready to solve the conflicts and disputes that will eventually occur every now and then. But what approach to choose? How to find a reasonable way of solving problems? Is it possible to avoid conflicts at all? These are the questions that you should know the answers to.
According to the rules of peaceful conflict regulation, you need to listen carefully to both parties, understand the problem and respond with a recommendation or an action plan. This permits the tenants to look at the problem from another angle, and maybe they find your solution reasonable. To put the point in it, you can create a document concerning the object of dispute.
But under no circumstances should you take sides. Your role here is passive, and taking a position will only harm the whole process. Also, not proposing a solution may be even worse than creating a bad one. This will show that you are not interested in resolving it, and you will lose the trust of these people.
As we have said earlier, in every difficult situation, the key element is a well-prepared plan. These so-called contingency plans can solve your ADU and the lives of the dwellers in any unexpected situation.
To create one, identify possible scenarios. You should take into consideration everything you know. Then think of possible solutions. The understanding of how to solve a problem before it even occurs is crucial to possess. Next, to sort it out, create a checklist where you will include necessary steps, evacuation procedures, and ways of communication with the authorities.
We have finished ADU construction all over America, especially in California, including cities like Los Angeles. Hence, the knowledge of building permits, possible permit fees, setback requirements, and overall understanding of building an ADU is not just sound for us. The projects we have completed include both attached and detached ADUs, as well as garage conversions. The number of satisfied homeowners should be an important factor in choosing our company to build you a unit.
An ADU permit is the necessary document that allows homeowners with general contractors to build a unit in the backyard. To start building ADUs, it is vital to possess one according to state law. It requires a plan (with floor area ratio and other necessary info), architectural drawings, and other important papers. Yes, acquiring these documents may be costly, but it is an important step toward constructing a unit.
The type of structure depends on your preferences. We are ready to build a detached ADU, or an attached ADU, do a garage conversion from your existing garage, or start constructing a JADU for you. You order from our builders the aspects you want, like the furniture in the bedroom, and with due diligence, we will achieve everything you want in any of the cities in California.
