ILLEGAL SUITES - HOW ARE THEY FOUND

The Landlord Reality Check: How Illegal Suites Are Found

Do not let an unexpected knock at the door jeopardize your investment.

Many property owners operate under the myth that a suite is fine if it was there when they bought it. In reality, city inspectors prioritize risk and safety over history. Whether you are buying a property with an existing suite or managing a current rental, understanding the enforcement process is critical to protecting your assets.

This comprehensive digital guide breaks down the plain English reality of how municipalities identify, inspect, and penalize illegal secondary suites.

What is Inside this Essential Guide

• The 6 Most Common Triggers: Learn about the events that bring attention to a property, from tenant and neighbor complaints to insurance claims and renovation permits.

• The Inspector Checklist: Discover the high priority red flags inspectors look for first, including egress window compliance, fire separation, and electrical hazards.

• Enforcement Timeline: A 5 step breakdown of exactly what happens from the initial trigger event to the final order to comply.

• The Myth Buster Section: Learn why random inspections are rare, but why clear safety violations are never ignored by authorities.

• Consequences of Non-Compliance: Understand the risks of forced vacancy, heavy fines, and mandatory decommissioning deadlines.

Format: Instant PDF Download

Expert Tip: Use this as a quick reality check. In the world of secondary suites, one No usually means the suite is not legal.