ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Secondary suites in Canada

Okay kiddo, so you know how some people have really big houses with lots of rooms but they don't use them all? Secondary suites are all about making use of those extra rooms!

Basically, in Canada, some cities and provinces let homeowners turn parts of their homes into a separate apartment called a "secondary suite". This means that instead of having only one family living in a big house, there can be two families living there.

The secondary suite usually has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and other things that let the people living there have their own space. It's like having a little apartment connected to a big house.

This can be really helpful for people who need a place to live but can't afford to rent a whole house or apartment by themselves. It can also be helpful for people who want to make some extra money by renting out a part of their house.

But there are rules about making a secondary suite! The homeowner needs to get a special permit, and the suite has to meet certain safety and building standards. That means things like having enough windows, making sure the suite has its own smoke detectors, and separating the electrical wiring for each part of the house.

So, secondary suites can be a really cool way for people to share their homes and make use of extra space. But it's important to follow the rules and make sure everyone stays safe!