You cannot turn single-family house into a multi-family for legal reasons. Is this true?

Zoning. Find out what it's zoned. There are appeal processes for everything. In other words, even if it's zoned single family only, they do make exceptions sometimes. It may not be a risk you want to take (buying something without knowing for sure what the outcome will be). I don't think your neighbor is entirely correct. You need to speak to your local government to know for sure your options. Best of luck!

Zoning laws - often specify whether single or multi family units are allowed in a given area of town.

Utilities - separate bills for gas, water, electric, cable, and telephone service are often difficult after the house has been set up with single meters or a single account.

Fire laws - might require a front and back door for each family?

I don't know where you live.....but check with your county inspector.. Here, you can make your house a multi family dwelling as long as it's done to code and passes inspection. I'd check very thoroughly on it before doing anything. You will need a permit to do work no matter where you are. You can find information at the zoning board. (this is also where you will find inspectors.) The people that work at the zoning board will tell you everything you need to know. Don't listen to your neighbor, they don't always know the truth and believe it or not, some of them don't want multi-family dwellings in their neighborhood.

yeah, i agree with the previous post about finding out the possibility of extention before buying the property.

But, I would recommend that you ask an architect or an engineer what is required to make a structure into a multi-family property. There are zoning regulations, lot size, structure size, lot coverage, building height, building width, building bulk considerations.

As an example, in my town, two family houses are required to have separate entrances for each of the units. and each unit has to have a legal bathroom, legal kitchen, and legal size and window requirements for bedrooms.

To get around this, I know of some people (usually elderly) that rent out rooms in their houses. You get 25% of market rents but you don't have to shell out initially for the construction costs and filing fees.

The gas situation is not a real problem. It will cost money, but it can be done.

The bigger problem is the zoning issue.

If the house has been zoned single-family occupancy, you will need to file with your local zoning board for what is known as a "zoning variance."

The zoning variance will have to be approved by the zoning board. You may have to bribe them.

Generally true. Depends on local zoning. They're located in areas zoned single or multifamily and may require specific things like fire doors and exta exits, if multi-family.

Any additiona require a building permit, which can be denied or approved by the local government. They want plans, and contractors, and fees.

She's a little off on her information. There's no ONE law that applies to everyone in all places. It's up to your local county or town or city code and zoning laws to determine what type of renovations and/or building can be done to a home. You should check it out yourself.

**add**

If you're looking at buying and are using an agent, the agent should have contact numbers and/or info for the zoning board for your area.

Each municipality has codes to follow. If you are interested in a property and would like to expand it, I suggest you talk with the city government where the property is located.

those are community concerns. the city/county zoning would desire to enable certainly one of those exchange. it frequently demands a zoning fee application technique. Then, you will would desire to get the modifications designed and plans submitted to the city for a construction enable. initiate with your city/county zoning company.

boy, i want you as a neighbor.

yes its true. It's called zoning.