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September 16, 2009
Live-in help in two family house
We live in two family house and rent out the top part. Now we consider to hire the live-in help person. And put her in basement room. Would she be considered a part of my family or her presence will change the status to the "three family house"? What other implications of this arrangement?
Comments
It's an illegal basement apt.
Posted by: denton at September 16, 2009 1:10 PM
Dont mention what you just said ever again.
Move her in to the "illegal basement apt" and enjoy your live-in help.
I wish we had space for one.
Posted by: jasetheace at September 16, 2009 5:30 PM
If the basement has direct interior access to your unit then just say she's living in the rec room ;)
Posted by: christopher at September 16, 2009 6:18 PM
"And put her in basement room"
Do you plan to throw her some scraps for food too?
Posted by: cmu at September 16, 2009 9:17 PM
It had better be up to code- windows, etc.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 17, 2009 12:59 AM
I think you have to describe better what you mean by basement. Any floor which is not more than 50% above curb grade is considered a cellar and is not allowed for sleepng (I am assuming you are not creating a whole apartment down there but just fixing up a sweet room). That said, if you have a room with a window and two safe exits (up stairs and out basement door?), I don't see the moral implications as being as bad as some do.
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at September 17, 2009 9:13 AM
The basement is more then 50% above the grade. It has two rooms. I will build toilet/shower as well. It does not have kitchen. It has exit to the street, exit to the backyard and the stairs to the first floor.
The basement and owner's apartment have two separate doors in the first floor hall. Does it make the basement a "separate apartment"? The apartment door can be easily moved to make the basement door inside of the apartment. Should I do it.
Back to original question: is help considered a part of the "one family". In other words. We have us, the renter upstairs and the help person. Is this a two-families or three-families?
Can somebody sleep in rec room in the basement? Do I allow to have bad or a couch in rec room in the basement?
Posted by: bobjohn at September 17, 2009 9:38 AM
we have a live in nanny living in a bedroom in our house. I would NEVER consider our a house now a two-family house.
But what do i know....
Posted by: Splenda at September 17, 2009 10:53 AM
Don't you have to have a separate kitchen for it to be considered a separate apartment?
I can't imagine why you can't have a rec room as a "guest room" if its in your apartment. But if its separate living quarters and used as a bedroom, you do have to have a window.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 17, 2009 1:01 PM
Also, if she is not paying rent, that could be a factor.
Posted by: mopar at September 17, 2009 2:05 PM
My guess is that domestic servants are considered part of the household. As long as it is one household in one apartment I don't think there's a problem. Unrelated people are allowed to share accommodation - the city is full of roommate situations. As long as the maid's accommodation is lawful for sleeping etc. no issue for the buildings department. I would assume that the accommodation is part of her remuneration.
Posted by: bohuma at September 17, 2009 3:41 PM
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