New York City apartments come in all shapes and sizes, and many listings for such apartments come with real estate terms that you may be unfamiliar with. One of these terms is “convertible apartment.” For those unfamiliar with the term, you may think that this term is referring to a home with a retractable roof. However, convertible, or flex, apartments are modified units that provide private spaces. Renters typically use flex rooms as home office spaces, additional living areas, or bedrooms.
Most think this description applies to studio apartments with an added wall or bookshelf to separate a living area from a sleeping space. However, there are many larger, multi-bedroom convertible apartments. For example, a two-bedroom unit can convert to three bedrooms by adding an extra wall in the living area.
Benefits of a Convertible Apartment
The main benefit of a convertible apartment is the ability to create additional spaces or rooms. For those living in a studio, the ability to separate a designated sleeping space from a living space can add some much-needed privacy. A sleeping area can now become a personal sanctuary, off limits to the prying eyes of guests. Convertible apartments also give roommates a private space to call their own. This can also make organization and decoration easier, as more personal items can now reside in the sleeping area, and items for entertainment can reside in the living area. Families in these situations can save on overall rent by renting a unit with fewer true bedrooms but then converting extra space into additional sleeping areas for family members. The same can be said for college students and young professionals, with the added benefit of each roommate saving on rent each month.
Another benefit of flex apartments is that the barriers are not permanent. It might be a makeshift wall or bookshelf that can be easily taken down at some point. A landlord who allowed one to go up in the first place will most likely be fine should a tenant want it removed. Remember, the keywords here are “convertible” and “flex,” meaning what a space can become is entirely up to the tenant or landlord within reason. However, the landlord may pass the removal cost to the tenant, which can be a couple hundred to a thousand dollars.
Drawbacks of a Convertible Apartment
One of the major drawbacks of a flex apartment is that it can severely limit the amount of space in a home. While the unit may allow for more privacy, since one room has become two, both areas are just a fraction of their original size, meaning there are limits for decor and storage. This can be especially true for families in flex homes. Sure their children will have their own private spaces, but they might not have anywhere to put their stuff.
How to Tell if an Apartment is a Convertible Unit
An apartment listing on RentHop denotes flex and convertible units on the search page, and the listing itself. If the listing doesn’t include that information, renters can ask the person advertising the unit about flex opportunities. If it’s unclear if a home is convertible, and a tenant can’t find any definitive info on the subject, that usually means the home isn’t a flex unit, and no temporary wall can be installed.
Ways to Separate Rooms in a Convertible Unit
Install a Temporary Wall
There are several ways tenants can separate rooms in a flex unit. The most common method is to install a temporary wall. This wall won’t be part of the building’s foundation, which can make it fragile. However, this solution is the best for decor, as the temporary walls provide a sleek, subtle aesthetic. However, since it’s an actual wall, this solution takes longer to install and costs a lot more.
Most listings convert to add an extra room. However, there are instances when a unit can be converted into two additional rooms. The listing will be referred to as flex two or even a T-Wall convertible unit in these situations. Flex two scenarios are common in areas like the Financial District, where developers remodeled old office buildings into apartments with large and wonky layouts.
Use a Temporary Bookshelf
Many college students and young professionals with roommates live in convertible apartments. They’re designating separate spaces using bookshelves to create unique rooms with storage. Bookshelves are easier to take down than temporary walls and provide tenants with extra storage space for books, clothes, and decorations. If done well, bookshelves can turn a two-bedroom home into a four-bedroom space. Bookshelves provide each roommate with their own sleeping area or office. This method is less aesthetically pleasing than a temporary wall in most cases, but the added storage becomes a benefit. It’s worth noting that the bookshelves are not walls, meaning roommates will likely hear each other’s every move.
Use a Room Divider
The easiest way to divide a room in a flex unit is to get a literal room divider. Typically on stands or wheels, these collapsible walls are easy to set up and even easier to put away should a tenant need more space. However, this method doesn’t look as good as a temporary wall and lacks a bookshelf divider’s storage benefits. However, tenants who choose this method will never have to worry about heavy lifting or construction and can redecorate their homes much easier than those with temporary walls or bookshelves.
Conclusion
Flex units are great for people with roommates, families with multiple children, or even singles. Not every unit in NYC is convertible, but folks would be surprised by how many flex units exist in the city. It’s an easy way to add additional rooms, increase privacy, and organize a home. If you’re looking to rent a flex or convertible unit, tell your agent! Who knows? Maybe they’ll even know of a convertible unit with the temporary wall already installed. On RentHop, we display the true legal bedroom count for every unit. RentHop listings denote whether a listing is flex/convertible, making it easy for renters to identify.
Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability.
