Featuring some of the highest demand for housing anywhere in North America, Toronto real estate is constantly evolving.
In light of increased strain on local supply, greater demand for diversified housing options, and creative input from investors and other wealth-savvy homeowners, a handful of unique, alternative housing types have entered the arena in recent years. Among these alternatives, laneway homes and garden suites have gained significant traction, offering unique opportunities for homeowners and renters alike.
As newcomers to the real estate landscape, laneway homes and garden suites are often referred to interchangeably. However, they represent two completely separate types of secondary dwellings – each with its own set of characteristics and regulatory implications.
In this blog post, we’ll go over the key differences between the two, their advantages, and what you should know if you wish to build one.
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What is a Laneway Home?
Given the current state of housing in Toronto, it’s no surprise that laneway homes have quickly gained popularity as a means of infill housing – steadily becoming more prominent both in newer areas and within established neighbourhoods.
What laneway homes share in common with garden suites is that they both take advantage of underutilized space on a homeowner’s property, allowing them to create a separate, standalone housing unit that can be used personally or as a rental property.
However, unlike garden suites, which can be located in any free space on the property (often the backyard), laneway homes are directly accessed by an alley or laneway behind the home – hence the name. This gives the person living there a more private and convenient way of coming home without having to move through shared space.
As they’re directly connected to Toronto’s vast laneway network, these properties are often built in place of a garage or where a garage once stood. While every laneway home is unique, builders and homeowners often choose to incorporate distinct architectural features and design considerations, taking advantage of their distinct setting to maximize natural light and privacy.
What is a Garden Suite?
While very similar to laneway homes, garden suites have their own unique characteristics. In short, garden suites are also separate, self-contained living spaces. However, they aren’t typically built against an alley or laneway. Instead, they are accessed on foot through another outdoor space on the property – usually the backyard. This flexibility can impact the scale of a garden suite depending on the unique layout of the property itself.
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Who Lives in Laneway Homes & Garden Suites?
Given their somewhat compact nature, laneway homes and garden suites have become a first-choice option for many retirees and rightsizers looking to age in place. These downsizers elect to move into one of these units (on their own property) while renting out their main home.
Along with this approach, many laneway homes and garden suites are used as dedicated income properties – tapping into the elevated demand of Toronto’s hot rental market. In other cases, they’re simply used to host guests or family members. The options are almost endless.
Before You Build
While both garden suites and laneway homes offer a wide range of benefits, navigating the regulatory landscape can be a complex endeavour for anyone looking to add one to their property. Although the City of Toronto has taken steps to better facilitate and expedite the development of secondary suites in recent years, there’s still a substantial amount of red tape to adhere to.
For laneway homes and garden suites, regulations typically govern aspects such as size and scale, height restrictions, parking requirements, and access to utilities. On that note, if you’re looking to build, you must obtain the necessary permits and approvals from the city before breaking ground, ensuring compliance with building codes and zoning regulations.
Is My Property Eligible For a Laneway Home or Garden Suite?
With all the legalities and fine print involved in developing a laneway home or garden suite, it’s essential that you consult an expert before making any concrete decisions. Luckily, having your property assessed to determine what your options are is relatively easy.
To do this, reach out to our partners at Laneway Housing Advisors. Lending specialized professional expertise, they can prepare detailed reports that outline your options in as little as 24 hours.
Considering adding a Laneway Home or Garden Suite to your property? As seasoned experts in Toronto real estate, our team would be happy to assist you. Click here to send an email or call 416-587-3300.
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