DOB and Old (New) Violations
I need some serious advice and direction – after this brief rant! I stupidly let a DOB inspector into my basement (I know!) on a bogus work without a permit complaint (yes, I have an enemy in my house-long story) but I had nothing to hid, or so I thought. When we bought the house…
I need some serious advice and direction – after this brief rant!
I stupidly let a DOB inspector into my basement (I know!) on a bogus work without a permit complaint (yes, I have an enemy in my house-long story) but I had nothing to hid, or so I thought. When we bought the house from a “contractor/developer†whatever work was in progress was stopped, “duh, I’m dumping the houseâ€, I get that part. “Developer†does it by the books, permits? yes, we checked. Inspections – OK, Bank – OK, DOB (as far as I know) – OK! Years later now I have someone elses (“developerâ€) unfinished business as my violation. No one is truely honest any more.
The Inspector was also on a fishing trip and sited all sorts of things that have been a certain way for years, so someone sent them on a mission and I let the enemy into my house. I cannot tell you how angry this makes me and how stupid I feel. So beware. Lesson learned.
So, can anyone clue me in on what I do now? I’m just a normal schmo. Some of the things I can fix myself, some of the things I will need someone professional, so that’s all OK (sort of) Its the “get a permit†to finish work that may or may not be legal part that I need the most advice on.
Do I need an architect, an engineer, a permit pulling person? who?
Thanks!
the final document is called “Certificate of Correction”
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/aeu2.pdf
Brooklander…what was your initial fine?…were you able to negotiate it down?
I have a guy who is up to 15,000 in fines. Enclosed a room under
a deck.
I’ve gotten nabbed for Work w/o Permit for a furnace conversion- oil –> gas which was done prior to my owning the building.
Jim Hill/above is right. Even though the work was already done, and shown to have been completed on my pre-purchase home inspection; the DOB was not sympathetic.
Actually, I had to go to ECB (DOB court).
The process was odd– I had to have the plumbers do the work without a permit, because in order to get the permit I had to go to court, pay fine, THEN the permit would be issued. They sort of backed around into it–
I hired a licensed plumber etc. My RE lawyer and I showed up at the ECB hearing, and
the long and short of it was I had to pay a $2,400. fine. Then the permit was released, I
got it inspected and it passed. Done– well almost.
Once you’ve gotten it done, don’t forget to go downtown (NYC) to get the release/ removal of the violation on the DOB profile for your property. I don’t recall the term. This is just last minute paperwork (like a DMV visit) but if unfinished your property profile will continue to show the violation(s).
I’ve gotten nabbed for Work w/o Permit for a furnace conversion- oil –> gas which was done prior to my owning the building.
Jim Hill/above is right. Even though the work was already done, and shown to have been completed on my pre-purchase home inspection; the DOB was not sympathetic.
Actually, I had to go to ECB (DOB court).
The process was odd– I had to have the plumbers do the work without a permit, because in order to get the permit I had to go to court, pay fine, THEN the permit would be issued. They sort of backed around into it–
I hired a licensed plumber etc. My RE lawyer and I showed up at the ECB hearing, and
the long and short of it was I had to pay a $2,400. fine. Then the permit was released, I
got it inspected and it passed. Done– well almost.
Once you’ve gotten it done, don’t forget to go downtown (NYC) to get the release/ removal of the violation on the DOB profile for your property. I don’t recall the term. This is just last minute paperwork (like a DMV visit) but if unfinished your property profile will continue to show the violation(s).
you need me!…i am the basement specialist..
and i need the money, want to go skiing.
daverobak@verizon.net
Yep, you are on the hook for whatever was done. It does not matter if you did the work or not. Hire an architect, not a violations removal expert. Too many people come my way after they have spent $$$ going that route.
It depends upon what the actual violations were, but it sounds like you might need to submit plans to the DOB to get a permit to correct the violations. That process is not all that different than filing for a new renovation. Your best bet would be to call one of the architects here and describe the situation in detail.
Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP