Converting Cellar to Basement

with a title company. i used ridge abstract, which is located in brooklyn. the cost was $150.

nancyk

in About Brooklyn 11 years ago

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sarahplg | 11 years ago

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Hi – a C of O question. Am in process of buying a legal 2 family in Prospect Lefferts. The C of O lists a cellar. I’d like to convert it to a basement to increase the legal occupancy space. Any advice on how hard this is to do? And a related question – if I manage to convert the lowest level to a basement, what would I have to do to make the basement the 2nd unit, so I can take over the ground and second levels? Thanks for any advice!

mrohrmann | 11 years ago

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Depending on the depth below grade you cant change it, but you dont have to to use it as living space. You can finish it for a rec room or something like that, you just wont (legally) be able to put a full bathroom down there or have someone live down there full time.

lmtuzyjcftvgonr | 11 years ago

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You can never convert a cellar into a “legal” living space, or to a basement. Due to the following definitions: •A basement is a story partly below curb level but having at least one-half of its height above the curb level. • A cellar is an enclosed space having more than one-half of its height below curb level. Therefore, your best bet is to excavate the cellar (if necessary). Achieve a comfortable ceiling height (min 7′), and as for as dept. of building should be concerned it is just storage space/entertainment area. With an experienced designer and contractor, this isn’t as difficult as most people find it. We have personally completed a similar renovation for a client. Mosfigul Aktar, Assoc. AIA Architectural Designer Construction Manager Phone: 917-495-6775 Email: info@aktargroup.com Website: www.aktargroup.com

lmtuzyjcftvgonr | 11 years ago

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As for CofO, you cant “legally” increase it. Because a cellar by definition will prevent you from doing so.

nancyk | 11 years ago

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Your cellar can never be a living space, i.e., no one can sleep down there. You can turn it into a family room/rec room. You may also put a full bath down there so long as you file a restrictive covenant that states you will not use the cellar for living space. I just did this, so I am aware of the DOB rules. Hope this helps.

jockdeboeraia | 11 years ago

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There is always a way, but you need to have the FAR available and special permission to do it.

arch007 | 11 years ago

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How do you file the restrictive covenant?..and cost?