Do I need an Easement to Add Windows

I have a four unit Park Slope Brownstone. My building is 4 stories high, the roof of the building next door is about 15 to 20 feet lower because it’s a one family three story Brownstone. My building is very long – 65 feet long and has two interior rooms with no windows. I’m thinking of adding windows to the two windowless interior rooms. My question is do I legally need an easement from my neighbor to do this? Thanks.

Brooklynnative

in About Brooklyn 10 years and 9 months ago

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SundialStudios | 10 years and 9 months ago

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Skylights may potentially be used to provide light and air, and to create a legal bedroom or other habitable room, if that is the intent.

brokelin | 10 years and 9 months ago

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Your typical Park Slope brownstone, if built as a 4-unit, and depending on when built, even if built as a single family, will have an airshaft window providing air, and some light, depending on how high the floor. They typically weren’t built with no ventilation at all in interior rooms, in my experience. Though the original airshaft windows may have been walled over sometime over the decades. Much of Park Slope is landmarked, so adding another story is not an easy prospect at all if it is within those boundaries. I don’t think an easement from your neighbor is the issue – but if you are in the area that is landmarked, you will need approval from landmarks to add windows.

shahnandersen

in About Brooklyn 10 years and 9 months ago

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However, without a deed restriction (which you are not likely to obtain) there is nothing to stop the owner next door from building up and putting a building up against your windows (which you will then have to brick in). This assumes that the zoning permits a taller building than they currently have, which it most likely does.

dazednconfused2 | 10 years and 9 months ago

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No easement, but they do need to be fire rated, lot-line windows. You’ll need to file with the DOB, which will raise the question of the legal use of those rooms. If they are enclosed rooms like in a railroad apartment, then they cannot legally be called bedroom, living room, dining room, or any other “habitable room” even with the new windows.