Old Extension and DOB records and Sign off.

Hi Folks, We are looking to buy a property in Brooklyn that has an old extension that was built in the 50’s the house itself was built before 1938\. It seems 30 years after the extension was built it was “signed off”. Is the signing off of the extension sufficient to set our minds at ease so that it won’t cause problems in the future? I am finding that when buying in Brooklyn there is Brooklyn way of doing things and people are not that concerned about a building not having a CO but the extension does concern me. Another question tied to this. Since the records are so old I cant get info from DOB BIS. Can I, as a non-owner, just walk into DOB and get the property records? Thanks! This is a great community.

greenair

in Building Code 11 years and 8 months ago

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expedite | 11 years and 8 months ago

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You may also be able to see if they have any microfilm at the DOB. The viewing machines are rite there, & you may be able to take a quick look. But be warned those machines dont always work & you may need a magnifing glass to see the documents. You can also print them from the machine or have them enlarged by DOB personnel….

arch007 | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Since the extension was done post 1938 and qualifies as an Alt 1 you should have a CO. A CO is your best protection against complaints. But the plans will probably be ok. And yes the folder will probably be off site. Nothing is definite when dealing with DOB, the people behind the counter doing it for 10 years can’t even answer most questions you might have. http://nyc-dob.com

lamb | 11 years and 8 months ago

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I had similar concerns about an existing extension when I bought my house. I went to bkln DOB to pull records before signing the contract… it’s an eye-opening experience indeed–you’ll understand very quickly why most people hire an expediter. also, don’t be surprised if/when they tell you your file is stored at the off-site warehouse in NJ, in which case you’ll have to fill out a request form and come back a couple weeks later when it will (hopefully) have been pulled and sent over to joralemon st. a2 is correct that the fact it was signed off is positive, but not definitive. it’s a stressful situation and you may have to end up risking an unknown outcome, but pulling the folder is the smart first step toward figuring out the strength of your case for keeping the extension as-is.

a2chitect | 11 years and 8 months ago

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You should be concerned about the extension, and when you say it was “signed-off” I wouldn’t consider this bulletproof. If you can dig up plans at the DOB that clearly illustrate and file the extension, that could be enough. If you don’t have anything this clear cut, then you will most likely need to provide Sanborn maps to prove when the extension was legally recorded. We’ve dealt with this issue twice in Brooklyn and the Sanborn maps governed the final decision. You also want to get an understanding of whether or not the extension, as it is built today, would be considered legal or not. If you end up having to file the work to legalize it, you want to understand now if you need to modify it in any way. That process could open up a can of worms for you. I would try to see what documentation the DOB has first and go from there. If you cannot go to the DOB yourself, you can hire an expeditor to pull records for you.

greenair | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Thanks Townie. Is a “signed off” extension enough for a building that does not have a CO? Thanks

Townie | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Yes records are available to anyone. It helps to have the block and lot number. You need a valid ID to get the folder and the contents can not leave the room. Bring change cash for copy machine. It will be an eye opening experience for sure even if your folder is more or less empty.