This Housing Trend is Taking Over the Toronto Real Estate Market Right Now

Laneway suites are a unique solution to Toronto’s high real estate prices. They’re also a creative way to add gentle housing density and expand housing options in the city. These houses are secondary dwellings constructed on residential lots that abut a publicly designated laneway. They offer tremendous flexibility: from rentals to work-from-home spaces to housing your loved ones in their own space. Toronto-based real-estate investment advisory, realty, and construction firm Volition Properties has partnered with Lanescape and Ambient Designs, leading authorities on laneway development, to share the top 10 things you should know about building your own laneway suite.

Lanescape

1 / 10

Why Laneway Suites?

Laneway suites have many different uses. You can use them for multi-generational living, for example, or as income properties, or as live/work flex space. They can range from 450 to more than 1,700 square feet above grade and can be a place for both end users and tenants to call home.

Ambient Designs

2 / 10

The Design and Build Process

Consider how you will use the property before you start the design and build process. Will you share use of the backyard? What are the parking requirements? How will you supply utilities? Expect the project to take up to a year, with the first half for design and approvals. Don’t forget to plan for contingency – typically 10–15 per cent – as well as tax and potentially pricey items such as landscaping, furniture, and decor.

Lanescape

3 / 10

Site Requirements

The City of Toronto’s Changing Lanes initiative allows you to build self-contained residential units without a public hearing and approval process if the site meets the zoning bylaws and related requirements. Considerations include abutting a municipally designated laneway and emergency service access.

Lanescape

4 / 10

Use Case: Income Property

Laneway suites make great income properties. Tenants and landlords don’t have to share walls, entrances or laundry and tenants can enjoy private outdoor spaces. Tenants will pay premium rents for laneway suites while the benefits for landlords include lower acquisition costs, the ability to sub-meter utilities, price appreciation, low maintenance and a higher ROI than a condo. A two-story laneway house in Toronto can rent for more than $3,000 per month and you can pair it with a multiplex conversion for the main house for even greater returns.

Lanescape

5 / 10

Use Case: Multi-Generational Living

Laneway houses can accommodate multiple generations of the same family through different phases of life. For example, adult children priced out of the hot real estate market can build family equity while paying their share of the mortgage; retirees can downsize and trade spaces with their children for a pied-à-terre while traveling; and elderly parents can age in place with main floor living spaces and supportive family only steps away.

Lanescape

6 / 10

Use Case: Live/Work Flex Space

Flex spaces can serve as offices, studios, gyms, guest suites or a retreat. It’s best to consider them as an extension to the main house. They can include a shared backyard and indoor garage. You can also use them as short or long-term furnished rentals when the unit is not in use: a win-win!

Lanescape

7 / 10

Parking and Outdoor Spaces

Zoning bylaws generally don’t require parking for laneway suites but you can still incorporate parking in the design. The only parking requirement is to provide two bicycle parking spaces either inside the structure, within the laneway setback or at the rear yard. For outdoor spaces, there needs to be a 1.5 metre setback from the lane and there are no restrictions on fencing off a portion of the backyard dedicated to the laneway house.

Getting professional consultation at home

Getty Images

8 / 10

Design Decisions

How you plan to use the laneway house will affect decisions about cost, maintenance, durability and the like. For example, you can add space-efficient, tankless hot water heaters and radiant floor heating or you can use skylights instead of windows to preserve privacy. Adding a basement is possible, too.

Getty Images

9 / 10

Looking Ahead

The City of Toronto is exploring alternative forms of housing and other municipalities, such as Hamilton, Ontario, are embracing the mandate. Toronto is looking into developing a policy for garden suites. These would enable greater housing flexibility for homeowners who do not have access to laneways with their current properties. You can complete the online survey through June 1, 2021.

Getty Images

10 / 10

Next Steps: Build Your Dream Team

Building a team of skilled professionals is essential for all real estate dealings – from design to mortgages. Many reputable Canadian companies offer investing and construction experience and can help you find trusted firms to acquire, design, and build your dream laneway home. If you prefer to be more hands off, choose a firm that will deal with service providers, neighbours, tenants and other stakeholders. To find out more about laneway housing, you can join the Toronto Real Estate Mastermind Meetup group. Some companies, like Lanescape, offer free information sessions.