Home and income in Rathgar

Dublin 6: €1.5 million Many buyers have found that the way to make a two-storey over basement property a manageable reality is to rent out the basement area. The hurdle can be finding a house in the right area with the appropriate planning permission and, better still, one that doesn't require work.

Anyone looking for this sort of property will be interested in 6 Kenilworth Square, Rathgar. It is for auction through Sherry FitzGerald on March 18th with a guide of €1.5 million.

The end-of-terrace house is a four-bedroom family home with two rental units in the basement - a one-bedroom apartment and a studio. In all, the entire property has a floor area 232 sq m (2,500 sq ft). The house - built in 1857 - looks over Kenilworth Square and it is has been completely renovated in recent years to take advantage of its period features and details.

Off the arched entrance hallway are the interconnecting drawingroom and diningroom which are well-proportioned with high ceilings. They have matching white marble period fireplaces, polished timber fireplaces and sash windows. The kitchen - at the back of the house - has been fitted with oak units and integrated appliances.

The family bathroom is on the first floor return and on up again is the main bedroom, which is at the front of the house, with two tall sash windows, working shutters and original marble fireplace. It has an en suite, as does the second double bedroom at the back of the house. The third bedroom is a single and, like the main bedroom, it looks out to Kenilworth Square. There is another single bedroom at the back of the house in the second floor return.

The two units in the basement could, if new owners didn't require the rental possibility, be reincorporated into the main house or used as independent living accommodation for grown up children, elderly relatives or a nanny.

As this is an end-of-terrace there is access to the back garden from the side of the house, which is always a plus, and to the front there is off-street parking on the gravelled driveway.