Obtaining a C of O - Pros and Cons

What are the pros and cons of getting a Certificate of Occupancy? If a building does not have one, should the owner try to get one? If so, why? Is it ever necessary? Would it be advisable under certain circumstances not to get a C of O? Thanks

nintzk86

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 10 months ago

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ditmarsman | 11 years and 9 months ago

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You can also see if HPD has i-cards for your building, that is the equivalent if you can’t find a CofO

BobMarvin | 11 years and 10 months ago

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FWIW I obtained a mortgage without a CofO as, I’m sure have many other Brownstoner readers,

patrick | 11 years and 10 months ago

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From a mortgage perspective, you should get the C of O if you intend to ever obtain financing for the property. Even if you have no immediate need for a mortgage, if you intend to sell the property to a buyer who will need to obtain financing, eventually the C of O will be necessary.

Augustiner | 11 years and 10 months ago

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If you are talking about buying a house without C of O, please check if it´s an SRO. A house can have no C of O but still be an SRO. Enter the address on http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/home/home.shtml , and if the number of “B” units shows anything but “0”, you´re in for trouble. Other than that, if you plan to do a major renovation it´s hard to avoid the C of O route. It is generally recommendable not to apply for a C of O, if you don´t have a specific reason.

dazednconfused2 | 11 years and 10 months ago

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From an architect and DOB standpoint, they are only required when you do a renovation changing the use, occupancy or egress, or when adding a floor or more. For instance, if you’re a one- or two-family and you change to a three-family or more, or if you go the other way, you’ll get a new C of O as part of the renovation. The prevailing opinion is typically that there’s no need to get one unless there’s a specific need for it. In general, you’re perfectly fine without one.

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 10 months ago

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Some but not many.

Arkady | 11 years and 10 months ago

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Some insurance companies insist on them.