Blog Post

What is an ADU and How Could it Add Value to Your Long Beach Rental Property

Dustin Edwards • Aug 28, 2020

Find Out More about ADUs

Accessory Dwelling Unit
ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit. You might have heard this referred to by other names such as a Mother-in-Law Unit, Granny Flat, Casita, or even a Garage Conversion. The concept is adding (or modifying) a property that is a single family residence to allow for an additional unit on the property. This helps make a traditional single family home, more like a duplex.

Why Have ADUs Become Popular?

The concept of a granny flat has been around for quite a while. In the last few years, with rental prices soaring, the concept of an ADU has become more mainstream with the support of the California legislature. To help individuals with more affordable housing options the state mandated that cities update their local building codes to allow homeowners to add ADUs with greater ease. 

Two of the cities, Long Beach and Lakewood, where we help our rental owners the most have made great efforts to ensure they provide guidance on ADUs.
The guidelines give you a good idea of what to consider from size requirements and timing as you consider your option of adding an ADU.

Variations of an ADU in Long Beach

When many people hear ADU, they think of a garage conversion and images of a person sitting next to a hot plate come to mind, but that certainly isn’t the case anymore. A garage conversion may be the most popular form of ADU but is far from your only option. Consider the following variations of ADUs:
  • Garage Conversion - The garage conversion is the most common as a large portion of the structure is present which can optimize investment in the building process.
  • Separate Structure - A separate structure gives you maximum opportunity for configuration since you will be building it from the ground up.
  • Above the Garage - Building above the garage can be limited by municipality. For example, currently Lakewood does not allow for an ADU to be built above the garage.
  • Basement or Attic - While not as common, especially in Southern California, the building code does allow for a basement or attic ADU to be built.
Keep in mind that for all but the basement or attic conversion that the design of the ADU is to be inline with the design of your primary residence and that cities can limit the which ADUs they allow (i.e. Lakewood does not allow above the garage). The city can ask for the same type of roofing shingle, coloring, elevations, etc. to be applied to the ADU. While this may not be what you intended this certainly can help to positively contribute to the long term value of your property.

Fundamentals of an ADU

In the era of AirBnB and VRBO where people have rented out rooms, it is important to understand that an ADU will have essential elements. These important aspects of the addition not only allow you to meet city code but also contribute to the value it adds to your property and the rentability. An ADU will have its own:
  • Kitchen
  • Bathroom
  • Entrance
  • Laundry
Notice that separate metering (i.e. electric, gas, and water) are not listed. While separate metering isn’t generally a requirement, likely due largely to the aspect it was considered to be added for family, it doesn’t mean you can’t add metering should you decide to add an ADU to your property. As it can be expensive to add all utility metering some homeowners choose only to add electric metering as it tends to be the most expensive.

A Few Caveats to Consider
  • While each city has different requirements that you must adhere to, we invite you to consider the following:
  • ADUs can be up to 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary residence (whichever is greater) in Long Beach
  • An ADU may not be sold separate from the primary residence (i.e. like a duplex)
  • Parking is not required if you are within a ½ mile distance of mass transportation
  • These are designed for long term rentals, not AirBnB or VRBO 
When it comes to adding an ADU there are many items to consider. To help you understand how an ADU can contribute to your monthly rental income and the long term value of your property we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. Or if you prefer a complete evaluation of your property we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis.




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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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