4 to 3 Family Conversion
We’re thinking of converting a 4 unit townhouse to three to create an owner’s duplex. The building has no C of O. Anyone know if this triggers a full C of O process for the whole building? We were told no, and that DOB would permit the reno work as a stand alone. Thoughts? Thanks.
We’re thinking of converting a 4 unit townhouse to three to create an owner’s duplex. The building has no C of O. Anyone know if this triggers a full C of O process for the whole building? We were told no, and that DOB would permit the reno work as a stand alone. Thoughts? Thanks.
BrooklynExp is correct a combination of apartments in general does not trigger a C of O change, over 3 units. It’s worth it to change C of O down to 2 units or 1 unit because of the code grants far more flexibility for those kinds of buildings, but 3 or more, it can be done as an Alt-2, all things being equal.
Aside from the C of O issue, there is also an I card for the building at the Dept of Housing which will describe the layout (at least in written form, sometimes in a plan drawing) for the floors. It’s possible that what’s on the i-card could be reason for obtaining new C of O as well. You can look up Icards online so this is not much work…
Actually there is a possibility to get away with it legally without filing for a new c. Of o. If you file under tppn 6/87. A conversion from a 4 to a 3 in general falls in with the criteria established under that memo. There are other issues that may come uo that will trigger a new c. Of o. But not the conversion. You can email me at brooklynexpediter@gmail.com if you need more info on the other pitfalls and how to deal with it.
That said, it depends upon how active the inspectors are in your neighborhood and whether or not your neighbors think they ought to have something to say about what they see is going on. Neighbors over here mind their business unless you’re being a real inconsiderate jerk about the work.
Like pig three says, this is done all the time without filing. No, it’s not right but it’s done. The only issue you will not be able to resolve is that if the utilities are billed in the name of specific floors and you change that, the utilities will not change the way they state the billing without the permits, etc in place. In other words, if the electric bills state floors 1&2 for one and floor 3 for the other, you will not be able to change that…yes, you can change the breaker boxes and all the wiring to corespond to the new floorplan, but not what it will say on your bills. I did not find this to be a problem with the tenants.
and if there is no floor plan and no c of o, who is to say the current config is legal or was not changed from the original layout? Ask the seller to remove a stove and frig before the sale. Now it’s a 3 fam.
done almost daily jock. are you annoyed you were not the first post?
I, as an architect, would not do that. Good luck finding someone willing to lose their license over something crazy like that.
check your file at the dob. see if there is any drawings showing the current configuration. If not, just file the way you want it to be as the “as is ” configuration.