WASHINGTON – With more people looking for affordable studio apartments in Fairfax County, some have taken matters into their own hands and started building illegal apartments in their homes.

The Washington Examiner reports county officials are fighting to shut down the illegal apartments.

The black market for studio apartments is a result of high demand and low inventory, Maggie Park, spokeswoman for county developer Comstock Partners, tells the Examiner.

Studio apartments in Fairfax County are renting for anywhere between $1,249 and $1,800.

The Examiner reports homeowners must go through a permit process before renting out space in their home legally.

The county board will be discussing new rules for developing studio apartments this spring.

WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.