Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Landry, surprised at your strong tone here. Clearly you understand that if the agent gets reported and ANYONE IN YOUR BUILDING TAKES THE ADVICE OF THE BROKER AND THE DEVELOPER, and builds an illegal bathroom the ENTIRE building is in trouble and could be shut down. Sounds like the developer and the broker are encouraging this, so yeah, the buyer is the dope, but surely you are not naive enough to really believe that this will not impact the entire building. That's what you get from buying with a shady developer. Good luck!Remember, it only takes one buyer...

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 10, 2009 10:28 AM in response to 660 Bergen: Shady!!

Thanks for the advice. The DOB may not be hunting around, but I don't want to get stuck when I try to resell the appt!

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 4, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Thanks for the advice. The DOB may not be hunting around, but I don't want to get stuck when I try to resell the appt!

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 4, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Thanks for all the responses. Checking on the half-bath (powder room) in the attic. Will let everyone know what I find. I agree that it's definately worth walking away once I get confirmation on the half bath. Anyone know about when a half-bath can be used?

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 3, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Thanks for all the responses. Checking on the half-bath (powder room) in the attic. Will let everyone know what I find. I agree that it's definately worth walking away once I get confirmation on the half bath. Anyone know about when a half-bath can be used?

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 3, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Thanks for all the responses. Checking on the half-bath (powder room) in the attic. Will let everyone know what I find. I agree that it's definately worth walking away once I get confirmation on the half bath. Anyone know about when a half-bath can be used?

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 3, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

depends on the size of the condo whether or not anyone will care. do ask an architect how/what you can get done. like, maybe you get a permit for the half bath with a closet, then put the tub in later in the closet area? very very common in the condos i've seen. the DOB is not out hunting for tubs.

good luck - this may not be a big deal. you have to research past brownstoner.

Posted by: wine lover at August 3, 2009 8:19 PM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Thanks for the advice. The DOB may not be hunting around, but I don't want to get stuck when I try to resell the appt!

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 4, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Thanks for the advice. The DOB may not be hunting around, but I don't want to get stuck when I try to resell the appt!

Posted by: condoinbklyn at August 4, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Illegal Bathroom in Duplex

Landry, Congratulations, but you probably are wise enough to not ignore all the concerns being raised. As 10:28 pointed out, you may not be causing the problem but I am pretty sure a resident on the 4th floor duplex will be putting up a bathroom illegally and that's when you get into trouble for none of your fault. (Keep in mind that, it will also cause depreciation of your unit because your unit will be seen as part of the condo that promotes illegal alterations...remember you are in a condo, not a single family home).
Just think about it, why would anyone buy those units for over 600K for only a 1 bed / 1 bath without being able to increase the value of their investment by making legal alterations? As you said, anyone smart will not purchase the 4th floor units for the listed price of a 2 bed (when it's only a 1 bed) but the fact of the matter is that there are 4th floor duplex listings in contract and most likely they were coaxed into the deal by the broker suggesting them ways to add an illegal bathroom.
If you read the prospectus thoroughly, I bet you will find the statement that even if any of the dwelling in the building adds illegal alteration, the complete condo building will be slapped with violation by DOB as per NYC law. (Just be prepared to save your a** or confront your rogue condo-mate if you hear some constructional disturbance vibrating through to your unit).
Things could go either way, but as jland puts it, red flags are flying galore and hopefully that illustrate the potential, but serious, pitfalls for prospective buyers. I can't believe that you actually went ahead with purchasing a unit at 660 despite getting a hint of the slimy reputation of the broker / developer when they suggested illegal alterations to you when you were being shown the duplex units. That's a red flag right there about the way they do business! I wouldn't be comfortable, but apparently you are!!

Posted by: JRT at August 10, 2009 4:51 PM in response to 660 Bergen: Shady!!

The biggest issue to me as far as the broker is that A & H aren't selling it for what it is. They're selling it as something else once you do what they suggest. They're selling the top units as potential two bedrooms when in fact they are not.

Posted by: jland at August 10, 2009 6:25 PM in response to 660 Bergen: Shady!!