Best rental use of basement
Hello, Generally speaking- What would be easier and cheaper to do- convert the basement into a rental apartment or office? Also, I’m in the process of buying a 3 family. I will convert the basement. When I go to inspect a building, what should I check to see if I can do such a conversion?…
Hello,
Generally speaking- What would be easier and cheaper to do- convert the basement into a rental apartment or office?
Also, I’m in the process of buying a 3 family. I will convert the basement. When I go to inspect a building, what should I check to see if I can do such a conversion?
Thank you
You may want to check the current CO for your building using the BIS WEB QUERY:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis/bis.shtml
Some more information here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/owners/illegal-conversions.shtml
http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/hmc/sub3/art5.html
That is correct. That also diferentiates between a basement and a cellar. The confusion begins when the curb is at one level at the front of the house and at a different level at the rear of the house.
I just spoke with an architect yesterday and was told that to be legal living space the floor height can be no more than 50% below the curb height. Meaning if you have a ceiling height of 8’the floor can be no more than 4′ below the curb. I haven’t verified this but he is usually right.