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August 25, 2008
Duplex question
My husband and I are considering buying a duplex where the bottom floor is in the basement. Due to coding/zoning laws there is only a 1/2 bath in the basement. We would like to turn it into a full bath and make a master suite downstairs. Has anyone else done anything similar? Was it hard to find a contractor to do the work? What happened when you went to sell the apartment? Any guidance is much appreciated!
Comments
A half bath you mean it has a shower? I actually thought that any shower or bathtub is against code in basements...
Posted by: helppls at August 25, 2008 2:15 PM
Sorry - it has a toilet and a sink. We want to add a shower.
Posted by: wm08 at August 25, 2008 2:38 PM
When you sell you will have to list it as a 'rec room' - not a master suite.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at August 25, 2008 3:12 PM
We looked at an apartment with an illeagal full bath in the basement and were told that, prior to sale, the owner would sheetrock over the shower (in effect, making the illeagal shower 'disappear' for closing) and then the buyers could rip down the sheetrock once the deal went through. There were other reasons we didn't want the apartment, but going through that process was on the list.
Posted by: fawn at August 25, 2008 3:36 PM
Basements that are less than 50% above grade are not habitable - meaning, no sleeping, cooking, bathing allowed.
Sure, alot of people put bedrooms and bathrooms in these basements, but legally it's not allowed and will not get approved by DOB.
Also, if you're buying into a Co-op / Condo, they will or should follow DOB guidelines. You'll need to get their approval before filing with DOB and doing any construction.
If your basement is more than 50% above grade, there are other consideration. Do you have enough window area? Do you have enough operable window area? Yes, there's a difference, And you're going to have to show that when you file your drawings.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at August 25, 2008 3:44 PM
The space you describe sounds like a cellar, not a basement. Plumbing fixtures are legal where more than 50% is above grade. Code wise as mentioned above, a room in a cellar would be a recreation room, not a bedroom or living room.
Posted by: Bessie at August 26, 2008 11:47 AM
If you call it a half bath and a utility room/janitor closet you will be fine. Dont put in a bath tub, put a stand up shower.
Don Perrone
Perrone Maintenance & Construction Corp
88 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
1-800-761-7847
http://www.PerroneMaintenance.com
Posted by: Perrone at August 28, 2008 11:22 AM
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