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Garage's and apartments. They need to be correct. Safety issues.

By Clint Mckie

Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

March 22, 2014 11:08 PM

Garage's and apartments. They need to be correct. Safety issues. I had been running into a few of these homes that have a detached garage.

That is a good thing. But when an apartment has been added to the garage. Then safety issues come into play. Many of these older garages were never finished on the interiors.

This is a major issue when wanting a living space that is attached to the garage. This garage and apartment is located in a city that has a shortage of rental properties. This brings out the home owners that want to make extra income for their themselves. Not a problem if you ask me. May as well get into the rental business if you have a chance right? This property has a apartment about 700 Sqft. Not very big when looking for a rental property. But how big a place do you need for a bed? Perfect single person apartment.

All homes look the same when you are sleeping!

I am surprised there is not a rental inspector in this city. Most cities have a department that is dedicated to rental properties. They inspect these properties for safety issues.

Getting to the bones of this post.

This apartment was added at the rear of this garage. But the garage's ceiling had never been covered by lath and plaster or even sheet rock.This means that if there was a leakage of exhaust fumes from the garage, these fumes could enter the apartment with ease.The wall to the rear is the wall for the apartment.

Open attic.

Ceiling and attic is wide open. Not a good situation for the renters. This is a major liability issue when wanting to make extra cash by renting garage apartments. Remember this! When wanting to rent out a home or an apartment. Get a rental inspection. This could reduce you liability for the home owners.

FYI! No smoke detectors in apertment or in garage. Ouch.

No one wants a liability claim.

This is why you always get a "Rental Inspection" by a certified inspector. For the peace of mind.

Call Clint at 1-575-706-5586

Have a great day every one.

If you are buying a home and want a very good home inspection. Call Clint McKie at 1-575-706-5586 Desert Sun Home Inspections can and will find the issues if there are any. We service Eddy, Lea and Chaves Counties in Southeast New Mexico. We offer a 90 day warranty. A homeowners manual and Recallcheck with each home inspection booked with us. These added benefits are included for the buyers.

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James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

You are one for being picky sir Clint. Sounds like I need to send Uncle Bob and Cousin Willy back that way

Mar 23, 2014 08:46 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Dorie,

99% of owners never get a inspection on their rental properties. Bad call. When they want to sell them is when i find a lot of issues.

Have a great week ahead in Canyon Creek.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:34 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Wayne,

You are exactly right. Not enough thoughts on safety and liability issues.

Have a nice day in Fort Myers.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:36 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Rob,

Always a good thing to have rental properties correct A lawsuit could happen even if no one get's hurt.

Have good day in Bristol.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:38 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Mr. Bond,

Take the Fifth One drink at a time. Sounds like a plan my friend.

Have a good day in Ohio.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:40 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi David,

This home had been worked on several times over 109 years. There is nothing the inspector can do. Up to the home owners and buyers now.

Enjoy the day in Oklahoma.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:43 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Adrian,

With rental properties at a premium. Every possible "Place to rent" is being rented. No matter the condition. Sad day for renters.

Have a fine day in Seattle.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:46 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Toni,

Legal in the sense on what they did. Not legal when the codes are applied. No detector but there used to be one a long time back. But it was removed.

Have a great day in Trinity.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:47 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Dan,

No fire wall barrier is the main issues. No protection for the renter that may get exhaust fumes into the home with little or no protection for them.

Have a nice day in Denver.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:49 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Tom,

I have always offered the rental inspections.

But hardly ever make any. They feel the properties are safe. But wait till there is a lawsuit.

Have a nice day in Placerville.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:52 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello Graziella,

This was done years ago. Probably correct when it was done. But today the rental properties have to meet code.

Have a good day and thanks for the comment.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:54 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jay,

As well they should be. Why buy a liability that could cost you everything?

Have a nice day in Bristow.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:55 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Conrad,

A permit may have been pulled back in the day. But the codes were different.

Today the apartment could not be rented in this condition.

Have a nice day in Webster.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 09:58 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi James,

I have enough issues I find when inspecting. You can keep them over there with you to do the repairs on your home!

Have a nice day in Rogers.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 23, 2014 10:00 PM

Randy Shamburger

Movement Mortgage - Greenville, SC

FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Expert

Great information, excellent post! Thanks for sharing.

Have a Big day,

Randy

Mar 24, 2014 08:17 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Randy,

Everyone needs to be correct when adding an apartment onto the garage. Safety first.

Have a great evening and thanks for the comment.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 24, 2014 10:09 AM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

Las Vegas, NV

Hello Clint ... Great point about the ceiling of the garage not being finished which could result in gas fumes going through the ceiling into the room above. Your post has been featured to the group:

Activerain PROPERTY LISTINGS

Mar 25, 2014 02:36 AM

Morris Massre

Pembroke Pines, FL

Real Estate Instructor Broward County Florida

I can't tell you how many of these I run into in South Florida. Nobody does them right or legally either. Just a mess.

Mar 25, 2014 03:31 AM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Vegas Bob,

Times and codes change a lot. This was code when the place ws built. But to rent the place today it must meet retal guidelines. This one has a long way to go to meet these guidelines.

Have a nice day and Thanks for the Featured post.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 25, 2014 08:30 PM

Clint Mckie

Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM

Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Morris,

The owners are trying to ake an extra dollar. But if there ever was an issue. They would have to pay more than an extra dollar.

Safety is number one priority.

Have a nice day in Florida.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 25, 2014 08:32 PM