Legal Conversion of a 3 Family Semi-Attached to a 5 Family in Astoria, Queens

Thx everybody. There are no certificates of occupancy on file with the city. 311 is next!

somavision

in Building Code 12 years and 5 months ago

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somavision | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Hope some brilliant person out there can help me out with this. I recently moved into a 2 BR on the first floor of a 3 family and have been regretting it ever since. The owner of the property has converted the cellar into 2 separate studio apartments, the first floor into a studio and a 2 BR, and has left the 3rd floor as the original 3 BR. Is it even legal to do this? There are a total of 10-11 people living in this house. I was under the impression that cellars (not basements) cannot be converted into living spaces. We’re seriously considering breaking the lease due to poor quality of life with so many people jammed into a limited space. The house is C0 property type and the tax class is 1\. Any info. is greatly appreciated!! TIA.

jcm | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Go to the Department of Buildings website and look up the building address to determine if the current configuration is legal. You are correct that cellars are not habitable spaces but it is not always obvious which is which.  You can complain to 311 about a possible illegal occupancy situation. The DOB must get access to the building in order to determine if there is a violation. Alternatively, once you are certain the situation is illegal, you could ask the landlord to let you out of the lease in return for not calling the authorities.

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Sounds like a nice fire hazard.  A cellar can be used, but it would need to be approved as such and comply with light and ventilation among other

cupolacoffee | 12 years and 5 months ago

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As already mentioned, go to the DOB’s site and check the building’s Certificate of Occupancy. It will describe the legal units: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis/bis.shtml
The Queens borough president has a full page of information about illegal conversions: http://www.queensbp.org/content_web/housing/illegal_apts.shtml
You can also get more information at the help center at Queens housing court: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing/resourcecenter.shtml

Bklnite | 12 years and 5 months ago

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A call to 311 would probably get the city to take it seriously if it’s an illegal conversion. http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/owners/illegal-conversions.shtml

Springs | 12 years and 5 months ago

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At the very least the boiler needs to be enclosed in a fireproof structure.  There also needs to be adequate means of egress, a fire escape or sprinklers since it is a 3 fam.   Call the Building Dept and complain.  They will come to check things out.