when part of a house is converted for the ostensible use of the owner's family member, the self-contained dwelling may be known as an "in-law apartment", "annexe", or "granny flat", though these (sometimes illegally) created units are often occupied by ordinary renters rather than the landlord's relative. in canada these are commonly located below the main house and are therefore "basement suites". another term is an "accessory dwelling unit", which may be part of the main house, or a free-standing structure in its grounds.