ᐅ Using a Basement as Private Living Space – Is It Legally Compliant?

Hello everyone!
I’m new here and have no experience at all.
I’ve spent the last few days searching the internet and couldn’t find any information on this topic.
On August 1, 2018, we “spontaneously” bought a two-family house (built in 1970) and now want to start renovating the basement.
The ceiling height there is 215 cm (7 ft), so it cannot be rented out as living space.
But am I allowed to use it as private living space?
There are two rooms of 25 sqm (270 sq ft) each, including a bathroom.
They clearly call for a more practical use and would be perfect as guest rooms or bedrooms.
Maybe someone can give me some advice..

Greetings from Lüneburg!

You can do whatever you want with your property—just not rent it out to outsiders....

From my point of view, no problem...

Hello neighbor,
Basically, @Snowy36 is right.
However, there are regulations regarding residential use. Living spaces should have sufficient natural light as well as a second means of escape.
When converting buildings, for example changing an agricultural building into a single-family home, a building permit / planning permission is required. This matters less inside your own rooms.
However, serious problems can arise if, for example, a fire incident occurs and someone is injured or dies. It is difficult to mislead investigators in such cases. Financially, property damage is frustrating, but the latter situation is inexcusable.
Therefore: personal responsibility.

P.S. A second escape route or good and sufficient ventilation can be achieved, for example, by having a sufficiently large crawl space / basement with an adequately sized window. Make sure to observe the required clearance distances 🙂

Why do you want to sleep in the basement? Don’t you have a bedroom in the house? If I had to sleep in the basement, I would never want to be your guest. I could at most imagine a workshop or a gym down there. But living there—I find that absurd.

An additional playroom in the basement is ideal for small children. Includes a swing attached to the ceiling.
I was glad to have this room earlier when we had our twins – it was a space where it was okay if it looked like a bomb had exploded.

Off Topic

nordanney schrieb:
when available – then it could also look as if a bomb had hit.

Do children like that learn to tidy up later?