Boiler room allowed to be combined within apt of a multi-family? Need advice

  We have a 5 family building- it was a 6 family, but the previous owner legally combined the two ground level apts to make one big apt.  When the owner did that, they also combined the basement space to become part of the ground floor apt- so like a duplex- so the basement can be accessed from the understoop door, the backyard door or through the ground floor apt’s stairs down– so there is no common access to the basement at all.  This means that the boiler room is also only accessible though those means as well– is this legal?    I know that plans were filed to legally combine the apartments, but not sure if the basement was related to this.   I realize most buildings have a common stair down to the basement to give common basement access– is there anything illegal about this set-up?  The boiler is still properly enclosed in its own fireproof room with an unlocked door.   Is there a reason common access should be allowed for the boiler? I ask because we have to have someone in from HPD to resolve a very minor violation about properly hanging a sign showing who will grant access to the boiler room and don’t want this to be an issue if they say this set-up is no legal.   I would appreciate any advice- thanks.

stickerhappy

in Building Code 12 years and 11 months ago

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heightsguy | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Why not just let the HPD Violation sit there. It is not much of a violation.

brucef | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Sorry Z., we have been through this with DOB and tenants have to have access to their meters to be able to verify how much they are being charged. Can’t be through a dwelling unit.

zampano | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Meter access is a lease matter and is not a given. Con Ed access to meters is a given.

brucef | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Part of answer has to do with location of utilities. Multi-family tenants are entitled to access their meters etc. This can be locked if they are given keys, but cannot be otherwise restricted. Actual professionals have yet to chime in, but my belief requires common stairwell in multi-family that goes from cellar to roof. The situation you describe seems to fail in many regards.