TL;DR
A Massachusetts homeowner says his family converted part of their single-family home into an accessory dwelling unit after a 2024 state law made the option available to them. The reported project cost $55,000 and now brings in $1,725 a month in rent, though those figures describe one household’s experience, not a typical return.
A Massachusetts couple who missed the rental income from the two-family homes they once owned converted part of their single-family home into a one-bedroom accessory dwelling unit, according to a first-person report published by Family Handyman. The homeowner says the project cost about $55,000 and now earns $1,725 a month in rent, offering a way to add income without moving or buying another property.
The homeowner and his wife had lived in two-family properties for more than a decade, occupying one unit and renting the other. He says the rent made homeownership feel more financially manageable and that their first rent check cut their mortgage payment in half. After buying a single-family fixer-upper, they found they missed that regular income, while buying another property seemed out of reach as home prices rose.
They tried renting out parts of the property, including an in-ground pool, a second garage and the backyard to dog owners, but those attempts did not work out. The couple then pursued an apartment inside their home after Massachusetts enacted a law in August 2024 intended to encourage accessory dwelling units as part of efforts to address the state’s housing shortage.
The homeowner says the family researched local and state rules, applied for a building permit and submitted plans. They chose an interior conversion rather than expanding the home’s footprint. Work began in August and was completed and inspected by December 2024; the town issued a certificate of occupancy, and a tenant moved in on January 1, 2025. The homeowner reports the couple has had positive experiences with tenants so far.
Rental Income Without Moving
The account shows one route homeowners may consider when they want rental income but prefer to stay in their existing home: create a separate, self-contained living space. For this family, the apartment meant they could remain in their neighborhood and avoid purchasing a second property, while adding a monthly source of income to their household budget.
The figures are specific to this project. The homeowner reports a $55,000 cost and $20,700 in annual rent at the current monthly rate. He estimates that this would take about two and a half years to recoup the project cost. That calculation does not establish a general return for other homeowners, and the account does not detail ongoing expenses such as maintenance, insurance, taxes, financing or periods without a tenant. Actual costs and rents can vary by property and location.
An ADU also changes how a home is used. A separate unit can provide housing for relatives or a paying tenant, but it introduces landlord responsibilities and affects privacy, utilities, parking and shared outdoor space. The homeowner’s experience offers an example, not a guarantee that a conversion will be permitted, affordable or financially suitable elsewhere.
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From Two-Family Homes to an ADU
The couple’s interest in rental income began when they bought their first home after renting for 10 years. The homeowner says they chose a two-family property because they were concerned about taking on too much financially. Seven years later, they moved to another two-family home better suited to their growing family but kept the first property. After another five years of working and saving, they bought a single-family fixer-upper.
In the homeowner’s account, the single-family home met other goals: the children settled into a new school district, and the family made connections with neighbors. What felt missing was the rent they had come to rely on. The Massachusetts law gave them a possible way to add a second dwelling without leaving the house. They say converting an existing portion of the building was the most cost-effective option and that the permitting process went smoothly because they did not change the home’s footprint.
The homeowner also advises people considering a similar project to check state and municipal rules, plan for privacy, and assess electrical capacity early. He says he was surprised that the project required an electrical-panel upgrade. The report does not provide a breakdown of the $55,000 cost or explain how that figure would compare with building an ADU in other circumstances.
“We really missed the rental income we were used to in our two-family homes.”
— The homeowner, in the Family Handyman report
Costs and Returns Vary by Home
The account does not provide an independent assessment of the project’s costs, rental value or estimated payback period. It is unclear whether the $55,000 figure includes all financing and ongoing expenses, or how vacancies, maintenance, taxes, insurance and utilities affect the family’s net income. The stated two-and-a-half-year payback is the homeowner’s estimate based on the reported rent and project cost.
The report also does not describe the specific provisions of the Massachusetts law or establish whether similar projects are allowed under every town’s rules. Local permitting requirements, building codes, property conditions and the cost of necessary upgrades can differ. The homeowner says his project needed an electrical-panel upgrade, but does not give its separate cost. The account reports a successful conversion and positive tenancy to date; it does not establish how the arrangement will perform over a longer period.
Local Rules Shape Future Projects
The homeowner’s account describes the apartment as operating after the tenant moved in on January 1, 2025, and says the family has no regrets about the conversion. It gives no specific future milestone or change to the project. For other homeowners, the immediate next steps described in the report are to check local and state rules, evaluate the property and electrical system, estimate costs against realistic rental income, and plan for privacy and landlord duties.
Whether additional Massachusetts homeowners pursue ADUs, and what results they achieve, is not established by this single account. Any proposed conversion would still need to meet applicable local requirements and receive the necessary approvals. The homeowner’s figures and experience should be treated as one household’s report rather than a forecast for other properties.
Key Questions
What is an accessory dwelling unit?
An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a secondary, self-contained living space on the same property as a main home. The report describes units with their own kitchens and bathrooms, which can house relatives or tenants.
How much did this ADU cost, and how much rent does it bring in?
The homeowner reports that the conversion cost about $55,000 and brings in $1,725 per month, or $20,700 a year, in rent. These figures are from one project and are not presented as typical costs or rental income.
When did the tenant move in?
According to the homeowner, the conversion was completed and inspected in December 2024, and the first tenant moved in on January 1, 2025.
Does the Massachusetts law mean every homeowner can add an ADU?
The report says the state enacted a law in August 2024 to encourage ADUs, but it does not say that every property or proposal is automatically eligible. Homeowners should check the rules that apply to their location and obtain required approvals.
What should homeowners check before planning a conversion?
The homeowner recommends reviewing local and state requirements, estimating costs against expected rent, considering privacy and landlord responsibilities, and consulting an electrician early about electrical capacity. A conversion also needs to meet applicable building rules and receive required permits and inspections.
Source: rss
