What does "studio in-law" mean in the context of a studio apartment?

Yes. We usually call it a Mother-in-Loft. Usually a self contained studio above the garage. But it could also be attached to the house. It should have a separate entrance, kitchen, and bathroom.

@johnpowell That’s a good one…are there other funny names for it?

You’ve pretty much got it down in your details section.

I lived in one. Wasn’t that great. It wouldn’t have been better if it actually had a kitchen and if I didn’t split it with another dude.

I’ve seen it listed as “granny flats” as well.

I describe my place as an in-law unit for people who don’t like their in-laws, because it’s that small. But I’ve been in my landlord’s backyard for nine years, because the cottage is great for one.

Biggest advantages are no shared walls; that is, no neighbors to bother or be bothered by, and the rent is incredibly good. I mean, this place is so small that I once had a student whose guest bathroom was bigger than my cottage.

Disadvantage is that I’ve only cooked here one time. I miss having a real kitchen in which I can move around, and one small spill in this place is relative to an oil tanker explosion.

Sometimes you can really luck out with these, if they’re a large space over a garage or something designed with comfortable and private renting in mind. They can also be miserable, cold, basement apartments with tiny kitchens and appliances that absorb all the noise from above.

Obviously, always check them out in person to figure out what the proximity is to the owners/other renters and what you’re really getting for your money, per square foot. It also depends on what you need. If you’re not social at all and don’t ever have anyone over and just want a really cheap place to work/study OR if you’re out all the time, this might be the way to go. If you’re social or have a lot of guests, it may be worth shelling out an extra 100 a month for a standard apartment that affords you more space and privacy.