SRO to 2 Family in Williamsburg

Looking to purchase a townhouse in Williamsburg. It’s a one family and we’d like to convert the basement into an apartment to make it a 2 family. How much of a headache is this? I hear some people say it’s not worth it but looking for some clarity on what’s involved. Any info/advice would be appreciated!

judyny

in Conversion 10 years ago

6

Please log in, in order to post replies!

6 replies

Newest Oldest

JPDA | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4925 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4913 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "56403"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "JPDA"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BiWdScBcVKNUx17QIIU4sn7IP2iP7.1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "JPDA"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(15) "jordan@jpda.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "http://www.jpda.net"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-06-16 19:38:18"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "m6JyCk05FZh9ArG2sf3X"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "JPDA"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(56403)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you are doing the c of o change as part of a larger gut renovation project it can be accomplished without too much additional pain (other than the usual DOB-induced suffering, of course). As Bob above points out, you will need to prove that the basement is legally habitable (sufficient light and air, more than 50% above grade, legal ceiling heights etc). We have completed many townhouse renovations and c of o changes. Please check out our profile at: brownstoner.com/jordanparnass I’d be happy to have a follow up call to discuss the project and answer any specific questions you might have. Jordan Parnass AIA, Certified Passive House Designer Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture

shahnandersen

in Conversion 10 years ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#137683 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(1) "6"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(31) "brownstoner@brownstoner.com.old"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "brownstoner.com/renovation1"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 20:12:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

All this assumes that your “basement” is really a basement (more than 50% above legal grade) and not a cellar (less than 50% above grade). If it’s a cellar, it cannot be converted into a separate apartment.

Augustiner | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#137685 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#137686 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "45573"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "Augustiner"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B34SD8yEA6Hi8EPJJfH83mCf4GZmmP0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "augustiner"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "flo@flat-peach.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(32) "http:///forums/users/augustiner/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:35:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "August"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(45573)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Not sure why you mention SRO. But make sure it’s not an SRO because you are not prepared for that. Changing from a 1 to 2 will cost you as much as you will collect in 5-7 years on your newly created rental unit.

judyny | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#137684 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#137687 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193086"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "judyny"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLwk32e0X4zDqbkdO2vN/GgLh9kwKQ/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "judyny"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "judyny@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:55:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "Judy Li Judy Li"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193086)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It’s technically an A9 classified building with no C of O that I can find. Trying to get an idea of the total cost/ time frame before committing.

resident2 | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#137683 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#137688 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181002"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BYKCrEpDU34.3RJghRPk8/Xp1XpCve/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "Jamanda1255@Yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181002)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Is it an SRO or a one family? As an SRO to a two family, make sure you get it with a current certificate of non harrasment and then look for an architecht that can file it under the “old code” and you will just be reducing the number of units. As a one family, you will need to file under the new code and strangly enough the construction will cost a whole lot more to bring it up to todays code.

xchx | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#137687 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#137685 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176790"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "xchx"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BzCWEnSC1ag6CNmIWLXW3.fn2IWklY/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "xchx"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "zdfaux@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/xchx/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "xchx"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176790)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

SRO means boarding house, not single family. Converting from 1 family to 2 triggers a lot of issues with the building code and permits and inspections, so it wouldn’t be cheap.