brownstone's Profile
Author's Posts
February 19, 2008
converting SRO to 1-2 fam
After getting a Cert.of Non-Harassment, what steps must be taken to convert a bldg from SRO to a 1 or 2 family?
Is this just a simple filing to change the Certificate of Occupancy? Or is it a longer process with a required architect, etc.
The brownstone is currently considered an SRO, though the inside physically doesn't look like an SRO, as the previous owner made it like a 1-2 family (not sure how as no permit was filed at least online) and lived there alone.
On the DOB website, there are no permit violations (or permits at all), though it seems obvious that the bldg doesn't match it's C of O anymore.
I wasn't planning on hiring an architect for the renovation work that needs to be done neither...
thanks...
Author's Comments
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
We are looking at this exact situation: buying an SRO and converting to a single family, maybe with one rental on ground floor. We are calling our mort. broker today and r.estate attny.
But, can anyone here give an estimate of how long the wait is, and how much we can expect in fees from the DOB and lawyer? i.e. Is it worth it? We love the bldg and don't mind the wait at all--even if it takes 6 mos to a year. Just concerned about the fees. Will this affect when we can get the mortgage?
Posted by: aroundtheblock at March 7, 2008 8:52 AM in response to converting SRO to 1-2 fam
Thanks for the input.
I have contacted the DOB and talked to a Plan Examiner. Just like Smokey said, above, only a licensed architect/engineer can fill out and sign the papers for a new Cert.of Occupancy. I also asked about previous violations. He said that all violations need to be fixed and paid beforehand, but if there are none on file, it is not like they will be 'uncovered' to make me liable all of a sudden.
In any case, the house needs renovation, for sure, but not major changes to the present configuration...
Posted by: brownstone at February 21, 2008 7:22 AM in response to converting SRO to 1-2 fam