Conversion of basement into living space (low ceiling height)

Hello everyone,

I hope I am in the right subforum with my request. If not, please let me know.

Due to lack of space, we are planning to convert a basement room into a living space in our single-family home. The house was built in 1960, and an extension was added in 1978. The basement room to be converted belongs to the extension and is to be accessed from the ground floor via a staircase.

Unfortunately, the basement room has a ceiling height of only 2.15 m. Connections are available or prepared (electricity, heating, water). Windows were planned according to the building plan, but for some reason were not installed.

A low ceiling height would not bother us, as we would use the basement room as a bedroom. According to the state building code RLP, however, the room height must be at least 2.45 m, as far as I know.

Is our project still feasible without excavating the basement?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

Yes, and? Who wants to forbid you to sleep there?

That's why I'm asking. The building authority maybe? What does the insurance say (e.g., in case of fire), etc. Or do the regulations only apply to new construction projects.

One more question came to my mind: Would I be allowed to rent out this "basement apartment" in 15 years? (Children out of the house, less need for space)

Google "common room"! Certainly, no one can forbid you from converting a basement room and sleeping there. However, you have no second escape route, nor any possibility for ventilation at all (no windows, I read). Where are your body odors (which can be about a liter per person from sweat) supposed to go...? I would see a risk of mold there. And if you get carbonized near the stairs in a fire, it could be that your children receive nothing from the life insurance because negligence is assumed. However, I am not an expert or a professional— but you should deal with these possibilities. Regards, Yvonne

Hello Yovonne,

thank you very much for the response and the input. An escape route is available: An exterior staircase leads from the garden to the basement room. We would install windows. Therefore, my main question is: Am I allowed to convert a basement room with too low ceiling height into living space?

Best regards

Living space will not become so by definition, as it is too low. In this respect, build it the way you would like it and use it the way you would like. You can forget about renting it out, as it is not living space. However, no one can forbid you from sleeping in the cellar of your own house.