What to Do With an Illegal COMMUNAL Structure
I’ve seen a house that has an additional (pretty substantial) structure attached to the back. It’s been in the same family for A LONG time, so I don’t know when it was built, but there aren’t any violations on record at the DOB. The real problem is that this structure spans across the neighbor’s house…
I’ve seen a house that has an additional (pretty substantial) structure attached to the back. It’s been in the same family for A LONG time, so I don’t know when it was built, but there aren’t any violations on record at the DOB. The real problem is that this structure spans across the neighbor’s house as well (evidently, they were related and used it communally). The house in question needs a lot of work, so permits will need to be filed, inspections will take place, etc. Am I correct in assuming that the structure will have go? If so, how would one deal with this situation? Could half of it be destroyed while leaving the other half to the neighbors? What would be the legal implications of this? Yikes…
Thanks going4broke. That would be a major concern for us, that we wouldn’t want to be bad neighbors, and this seemed like a possible problem right off the bat. If we are talking about the same house, part of the reason we like it *is* because of the house’s detail and the friendly neighborhood.
I think I know the building. No question you are going to have to either change (put in dividing wall) or pull down the structure on your side. The seller will understand you are going to renovate. If the city forces you to remove the structure there is no argument. If the city lets you keep it, again no argument (though you would put up the wall & the fence in the back yard). If you decide to remove it or rebuild it some other way in the renovation, again, that would be your prerogative (within bounds of law). As noted above, I would be frank with him if you go into contract – just say that if you buy the place, you intend to renovate the building (like any buyer would) and will work with him to minimize disruption. Tell him, you intend to renovate all above board and properly using licensed contractors, architect etc and will file all work. To the extent that there is interior detail, which I think there is, the seller would probably appreciate hearing that you are not going to rip it all out but will respect the historical detail (will take effort but is worth it, also doesn’t mean keeping everything). Above all, if it is the place I think it is, he will appreciate honesty and look forward to having as neighbors a family he likes and respects.
Are you saying that the two houses are joined in the back by an addition which is open to both houses? If so, why would you want to destroy an addition to your building unless it is strucutrally unsound? I assume you could just wall off the door or hall between the two buildings.
I would not assume that this “structure” is illegal based on your description of its age. It certainly sounds non-conforming, but the addition may pre-date any code issues.
Also, is the neighboring house still in the same family? you probably need to talk to them about your plans in any event if you are going to do a substantial renovation.