What a unit usually needs
- A full bathroom
- A kitchen sink
- Laundry access, shared or separate
- Enough hot water for two households
Planning
- Check City of Brampton second unit registration rules.
- Plan drains, vents and supply lines.
- Size the water heater for both households.
- Get permits and inspections.
Common issues
Overloaded water heaters, drains that clog with heavy use, and noise from pipes. Separate shut-offs for the unit make repairs easier.
Fire and safety
Second units also need fire separation and safe exits, so plan plumbing openings with fire stopping in mind.
Shut-offs and access for two households
Give the lower unit its own isolation valves for hot and cold, placed where the upstairs owner can reach them without walking through the tenant's bedroom. Keep the main cleanout and the water heater accessible from a shared area, not locked inside one unit. Label everything. When something leaks at midnight, nobody should have to search for a valve or wake a neighbour to get to it. A separate thermostat-controlled heater for the unit also cuts down on arguments about hot water.
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