Does anyone know about California Residential Housing Codes?

Question

I was wondering if anyone knew (and really knows, isnt just guessing) about residential housing codes in California. My boyfriend is looking for a room by San Diego State, and he found a house but it seems pretty shady. One of the rooms that they are offering as a bedroom used to be the garage. It is attached to the house physically, but there are no entrances/exits connecting it to the house. It has a private entrance, but to use the bathroom/kitchen/livingroom you have to walk outside and walk in through the front door. It also doesnt have a closet. Another bedroom they are offering is similar, it looks like a converted laundry room that also has no closet, but is connected to the house through a bathroom with no door. The final three bedrooms are actually in the house, with a closet, but they are $300 more than the shady bedrooms.

Is the place up to code? If not, what could be done about it?

Thanks

Answer 1

A boarding house in CA has to have a license and is required to provide a safe and secure environment. They need not have private bathrooms but the bedrooms can not house more than 2 persons who are un-related (aka un married) unless the boarding house is also registered as a SRO [single room occupancy - where the clients share the kitchen, living room, and common areas]



The big red flag is that fact that your BF has to go outside the sleeping area to the outside of the house, around the corner and into the house to get to the bathroom. If they had a hallway he could use to access the bathroom, then it might be more legit sounding.



I would also be concerned about the legality of the garage In-fill (In-Fills are garages or out buildings that are converted into bedrooms to bring income to the homeowner. Many times they are illegal because the property owner did not get the proper exemption or certification!)



You can ask for the certification of the infill. If they can not produce it, then walk away. If your bf has already put down a deposit, then request it back in full, otherwise you will challenge the owner in court. FYI: In CA the loser of the court case has to pay the legal fees. Small claims court is a mere $90...which may be well worth it if he has put down something like the usual here in LA of $450 or more!



Any place where you must exit the room then enter the house to use the bathroom facilities is in VIOLATION of the State boarding house regulations.



The basic difference between a boarding house and a rental of a room in a house is the license. A boarding house has to follow many more rules/regulations about safety for the residents.



If your boyfriend thinks that, the situation is acceptable to him...that certainly is his choice. HOWEVER, be aware that many converted garages are not heated or cooled.



Stay away from those sort of places...there are many places where you can get several roommates to rent a large place. Then share the utilities!

Answer 2

This does not sound legal at all. When a garage is converted into a bedroom there are usually permits that need to given. Inspectors will come out to the property and verify that it is up to code.

My feeling is that with the housing market the way it is here in CA, people are unable to make their mortgage without resorting to some assistance from renters, and some people will do whatever it takes to keep their house, legal or not.

If someone calls the inspectors on this homeowner I bet he will be fined and will be watched to ensure that this does not continue.

Answer 3

It sounds like one of the "mini-dorms" houses where rooms, garages, closets were converted into rooms check out : http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/industry/codes.shtml



there is some information there that you might try...



PS I live in San Diego if you google SDSU mini dorms youll get all the recent news on this situation...

Answer 4

definite they do. they're typicially designed to withstanding one million g sideways action. (not with out some injury, yet for the form to proceed to exist so as that the occupants additionally proceed to exist). concern is that many residences are "old inventory" meaning that they at the instant are not designed the comparable way. Retrofitting isn't common. ******************** i think that maximum hurricane carriers factors are adopting comparable standards -- different than that they've problems with roofs blowing off. additionally they layout for wind, not flooding or flying debris or tornados (interior the hurricane). a great style of the country faces some earthquake risk bear in suggestions New Madrid, Mo -- they had a pair of 8.0s interior the early 1800s that replaced the direction of the Mississippi River!! there became additionally a 7.3 in Charleston, SC interior the 1860s.