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August 6, 2009
Convert 2 Family House to 3 or 4
I'm planning to buy a 2 family house in Queens.
House is two floors plus basement, 19x63 building size , semi attached and currently is classified as 2 family.
It is rental house and second floor is converted to 2 separate apartments, plus basement is split in two extra rental units, each with bathroom and shower and kind of kitchen. First floor is separate apartment, nothing wrong.
What are the chances of legalizing all this and converting to 4 family or 3 family plus office in the basement and what would it cost. I’d like to get an estimate of how much of a trouble it can be before I buy property.
Comments
it sounds like an illegal conversion and you should walk away from it.. the nyc dept of buildings is cracking down on this stuff and you will end up paying in excess of 100,000 to convert it back to a less profitable use
Posted by: eman1234 at August 6, 2009 10:32 PM
Statement on illegal conversions by Queen Borough President: http://www.queensbp.org/content_web/housing/illegal_apts.shtml
Posted by: vinca at August 6, 2009 11:20 PM
rat on the owner - make him pay all fines and when he is broke and needs some money - offer him very low deal :)
Posted by: bobjohn at August 6, 2009 11:59 PM
I know that it's a headache to legalize illegal conversion but anyone has an experience of doing it or would it be possible in general with the layout given in above?
Posted by: michael_mm at August 7, 2009 10:29 AM
If it is woodframe, DOB will not allow conversion beyond 2-family. Sorry I don't have advice beyond that.
Posted by: curiositykilledthecat at August 7, 2009 10:38 AM
It is a brick house
Posted by: michael_mm at August 7, 2009 10:40 AM
Depending on what Zoning District it is in anything more than a 2 family house may not be permitted. Once there are 3 apartments in a building it is classified as a Multiple Dwelling and there are more stringent rules to comply with.
Posted by: SG at August 7, 2009 10:47 AM
Zoning district R4
Building class Two family brick (B1)
E-Designation None
Historic district None
Landmark None
Posted by: michael_mm at August 7, 2009 10:57 AM
there is one Property on the same block
C0 (Three families)
Building Size: 20 x 49
Lot Size: 20 x 132
Floors: 2
and couple of more 3 families but 3 floor buildings across the street in the same zoning
Posted by: michael_mm at August 7, 2009 11:16 AM
Whether there are other buildings with the configuration you want may not be a clue--the buildings could have been built prior to zoning and are therefore grandfathered in. Did you visit DoB website to learn what is currently allowed for R-4 zone?
Posted by: curiositykilledthecat at August 7, 2009 12:19 PM
"Basement" is considered a basement if is a certain level above ground. You should start from here if you want to proceed. Call 311 and they will give you phone number to City engineers that can give you more info about that and answer your Q. U can leave the msg, they will call you back. I checked this before and decided not to proceed.
Posted by: zm at August 7, 2009 12:25 PM
there is a guy down the block converted 2 family into 3 family. People from the block were not happy and called DOB. The guy had to install fire system for ~$60K. I am not sure about other issues - it happened before I moved in.
Posted by: bobjohn at August 7, 2009 12:43 PM
and aside from all of the above, your property taxes will be affected.
Posted by: Back40 at August 7, 2009 2:38 PM
Can anyone recommend architect to consult with this kind of issue, someone who you worked with before
Posted by: michael_mm at August 7, 2009 5:45 PM
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