"ARE" cheap to rent?
In the past yes, but I wonder in 2008 if they are a)legal to rent, b)not in violation of DCRA rules,& c) so uncommon that their unique-ness would be a value the landlord would charge you for.... I just question if the statement is still valid.
It's hard enough to get MPD to answer to calls on small streets like Franklin and Richardson, would they even acknowledge an alley?
Like so much of my writing, this is theoretical. There aren't many alley dwellings left. And the ones that are in good condition are not cheap to rent.
But for years I have been suggesting that making alley dwellings legal for habitation (some are, depending on the width of the alley), you will increase the diversity of housing types, add housing and residents, and improve "eyes on the street" in the interior of blocks, where you need plenty more eyes.
The problem with the theory or idea is that the fact of city regulations and codes and incentives work against the idea.
DCRA isn't particularly clear when it comes to just wanting to rent out 1 or 2 rooms in your primary residence ('roomming house', just doens't seem applicable). Of course the other option is to just ignore DCRA. Not all basements can be legally rented out, but some do anyway. I believe also the room requires a closet to be legally a bedroom, so that keeps a room off the legal market. The lack of clarity and the illegal nature of them may be a disincentive for some property owners not to make space available to renters.
you should join our alley residents group. Richard- maybe you can post the yahoo page - my computer will not allow this from here.We have covered just about all of what you are concerned about Mari, on our webpage.
Yes- parking preservation is the number one priority of street fronting neighbors with occupied alleys. Also- the city has historically tried to do what it could to discourage alley uses other than parking. DC once had thriving alley areas.The neighborhood groups and the city need to get away from the 1950's suburban zoning restrictions that keep new alley dwellings and structures from being built- especially those alley areas near Metro.Again- parking is the cheif bugaboo here. It is a sacred and god given right and parking requirements should not be forced upon ANY new city core areas as they are regressive and very backwards thinking. In short- people need to get out of thinking about cars and their needs and think about PEOPLE and OUR needs.
w is talking about the alleyresidents yahoogroup, to which anyone can subscribe...
Don't forget the alley tours later this month...
http://urbanplacesandspaces.blog...-
manifesto.html
Thanks Richard
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