ADU– accessory dwelling unit- is the cue in this case. It is a small outbuilding that is also known as back houses, granny flats, garage apartments, or mother-in-law suites. These houses are independent and can be used with full kitchens and baths. You can either attach them to your main house or let it be a free house standing within your territory. ADUs can also function as a yoga studio, an extra bedroom, or a complete home office.
For an average ADU, the range is from 600 square feet to up to 1,200 square feet. It can depend on the state as well as the municipality. These cute secondary residences have become a popular alternative in high-demand areas of Metro Texas and all over the nation. There is a significant rise in the ADU trend as local governments are significantly passing measures, making it easier for homeowners to build and rent out an accessory dwelling unit.
According to Kol Peterson, creator of the “Building an ADU” online guide and author of the Backdoor Revolution; there are 25,000 to 100,000 permitted units and several million unpermitted ones in the country.
The main idea behind ADUs is not a new one. They have existed for a long time. But the rise of ADUs came into the limelight recently due to the fact that many metropolitan areas are experiencing significant housing pressure.