2 or 3 family House in Bed-Stuy

Does anyone know why a house might be listed as a 2 family on the CO but as a 3 family on the tax assessment?  This is a house I’m thinking of purchasing in Bed-Stuy but just can’t wrap my head around this.  The departments of buildings and finance have been completely unhelpful.  It’s a 4 story Frame house and I would prefer it to be a 3 family, but have heard that frame houses can only be 1 or 2 family properties.  Any insight anyone can lend would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

runner2052

in Building Code 13 years and 5 months ago

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daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Different people at the DOB will also tell you different things.  Get an expeditor.  There’s another thread today with a number of recommendations.  Call Scott Schnall.

curiositykilledthecat | 13 years and 5 months ago

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We have a two family plus store that we wanted to convert to a 3-family. The (very helpful) DOB person I met with informed me, without a doubt, no conversion to a 3-family because it is wood frame.

runner2052 | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks everyone for your comments.  This has been incredibly helpful!  It turns out there is a CofO and it’s a two family.  Does anyone know if it’s possible to convert a 2 family building into a 3 family if the house has a frame construction?  I’ve heard rumors that’s the case but the DOB didn’t know what I was talking about.  I just don’t want to go through the hassel of applying if there is no chance it will be approved.

pigthree | 13 years and 5 months ago

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oh wait, you have not purchasded yet.

pigthree | 13 years and 5 months ago

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there may not be a c of o just because its listed as a two with the dob.  go to the dob yourself and look in the paper file for your address as well as the microfilm.  See if there are any plans (proof) of how the building is configured.  if nothing, you could have submitted plans of how you want the building to be set up as “existing”.  If there is a c of o stating its a two, then you would have to change to be a legal three. if its already being gutted, chances you already filed plans

ilovestoops | 13 years and 5 months ago

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You can look for a C of O at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/home/home.shtml.  Type in the address and you’ll get lots of info, including a link to the C of O.  Some houses don’t have a C of O and sometimes they are mis-filed.  The highest number is the most recent C of O.  Good luck!

runner2052 | 13 years and 5 months ago

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It is currently set up with three kitchens.  It’s an owners duplex with 2 two bedroom rentals on the top two floors (one 2BR apt per floor).  It’s undergoing gut renovation right now.  I think there is a CofO.  I called the dept of buildings this morning about it and they said it was listed as a 2 family, so I’m guessing that’s what it has to be.  But if the CofO says it’s a two family how were the previous owners not fined for the illegal apartment?

pigthree | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Tax man, at one time, walked around and counted “door bells” on buildings to determine tax class.  It has no bearing on legal use.  Is there an actual C of O or is it just listed as a 2 fam with the DOB.  If listed as a two, it does not mean there is a c of o.  How is the building set up?  Three kitchens?

Meliora | 13 years and 5 months ago

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I am having a similar problem.  The DOB rules and what they say goes, so no matter the designation that the Dept. of Finance is collecting on (i.e.3F) it has no bearing on its designation with DOB.  The house is officially a 2F and you would have to apply to change it to a 3F.