Abasement apartment is anapartment located belowstreet level, underneath another structure—usually anapartment building, but possibly ahouse or a business. Cities in North America are beginning to recognize these units as a vital source of housing in urban areas and legally define them as anaccessory dwelling unit or "ADU".Rent in basement apartments is usually much lower than it is in above-ground units, due to a number of deficiencies common to basement apartments. The apartments are usually cramped, and tend to be noisy, both from uninsulated building noises and from traffic on the adjacent street.[1] They are also particularly vulnerable toburglary, especially those with windows at sidewalk level. In some instances, residential use of below-ground space is illegal, but is done anyway in order for the building owner to generate extra income.[1]
Homeowners will typically rent out basement apartments to tenants as a way to earn additional income so as to offset living expenses. Owning a home with a basement apartment can be an investment. Tenants will provide income to the home owner, reducing expenses, and equity will grow as the value of the property increases.[2]
Some health risks to people who live in basements have been noted, for examplemold,radon, and risk of injury/death due to fire. It has been suggested that a basement suite is the last type of dwelling a tenant should look for because of the risk of mold.[3] However, due to demand for affordable housing, basement suites are often the only available housing for some low-income families and individuals.[4]
Airborne spores can cause mold to grow in damp and unventilated areas, such as basements.[3] Presence of mold can lead to "respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma",[5] as well as personal belongings being contaminated by mold.[3]
Basement suite tenants are more likely to be injured or die due to a fire in the house.[6][7] Many landlords do not follow fire code regulations, and often such regulations are not enforced by governments.[citation needed]
During flooding, these apartments are extremely dangerous. WhenHurricane Ida passed over the northeast of the United States as an extratropical storm, most of the deaths were caused due to flooding in basement apartments.[8][9]
A number of noted artistic achievements have occurred in basement apartments occupied by struggling authors, painters, and musicians.Andy Warhol made one of his earliest films,Mrs. Warhol (black-and-white, 66 minutes), in the basement apartment of his house, where his mother (Julia Warhola) lived.Ruth McKenney based a series of stories inThe New Yorker, later republished in the bookMy Sister Eileen, on her experiences living with her sister in a moldy, one-room basement apartment, directly adjoining theChristopher Streetsubway station on the1 and 2 trains, at 14Gay Street, inGreenwich Village for which she paid $45 a month (equivalent to $1,010 in 2024).[10] The apartment was burgled within the first week during the six months they lived there.
