I would also interpret the "rental house" as the building expert would.
The building expert hasn't written anything here at all, you probably mean my interpretation of a rental house?
: Your headline is therefore somewhat ill-considered. Ultimately, it is a single-family house that is to be rented out first and only later occupied personally, possibly then divided into 2 separate residential units. That the house is to be rented out first is actually irrelevant.
the lower area should be usable as an independent apartment if needed
I don’t see that in this plan.
On the one hand: how should you partition an adequate apartment in the basement if half of the rooms have no windows? Where should the separation be made if the double garage is to be used by both parties but the access then passes through the apartment to be divided?
Also, I hardly see any possibility of creating a normally usable bedroom as well as a living room corner and kitchen-dining area from the few square meters in the basement. Even with extensive remodeling, from my point of view it wouldn’t be possible for residential own use.
staircase maybe not optimal, storage room very small.
You are absolutely right. For a new building, the staircase planning is provisional, barely considered in the design. There is no cloakroom at all, the storage room may be sufficient including cellar, but not for a self-contained residential unit (without cellar).
Only with regard to the size of the living space are we not quite sure whether it can be used well.
The living room shows 54 sqm, yet the large hallway is probably also included?
I see hardly any reasonable division of the, although large, but rather flat space. Consequently, the dining chair will rub against the TV or sofa, a kitchen island will also need floor space in front of a kitchen unit. I also don’t see space for a side-by-side fridge. Just try placing some furniture with their space requirements yourself…
In my opinion, the room layout has little to do with designing or planning: large room, then hallway, from which all necessary rooms branch off.
It is to be used for renting to (presumably American) families.
..., but Americans are quite a special target group for us.
I don’t know where you want to build, but why choose a special target group as tenants?
Special means
particular means
small (usually). If I want to rent out, I build so that many people identify with the property to avoid rent losses.
Therefore, two separate entrances are not necessary now, only sometime in between or similar.
As I said: I don’t see any division. If you want to live there yourselves, you have the upper floor as a residential unit, the basement with cellar and garage. Although all very spacious (in square meters), it’s not intended for a division.
I would sort that out if I were you – housing needs in 15 years. If you are still of the opinion then that a house that can be divided into two units should be built, then corresponding entrance areas, terrace exits, kitchens and other required rooms should already be defined now. Otherwise, you will have to invest a substantial budget in remodeling in 15 years.
Regards, Yvonne