C of O for reconfiguration of 2 family

We are new to this, so forgive me if the answer to my question is obvious. We are looking at buying a legal two family house that is currently configured as a four story house with two duplex apartments. I looked up the C of O and it says there are no C/O on file, though it does say two family. If down the line we want to change the configuration so that it’s still a two family but with a garden apartment and a triplex on top, is this change going to require a new C of O? Thanks.

WRPListings

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 8 years and 3 months ago

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resident2 | 8 years and 3 months ago

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All the architects here will tell you, yes you need to file and get a whole new C of O, all the really new over zealous ones will tell you it needs to be done to today’s code (higher costs and RE tax assessment at the end of the day that will bankrupt you).
As “daveinbedstuy” points out; with a legal use as two family but no C of O you have a fluid use. Many similar buildings over the years have been configured and reconfigured as the family expands and then downsized etc without any change of C of O or building permits etc. You are not changing the use.
I would say it depends on the extent of the work and are you going to be your own construction manager? Hiring your own licensed plumbers? Electricians etc? and how nosy are your neighbors…. 311 is to easy to feel powerful to some.
Technically you are supposed to get a permit to build a closet, but if you file a permit for every blessed thing you are supposed, you would never get anything done and the buildings department will get so backed up… you will be waiting for years instead of months as it is now.
If it was me, I would not file for a new C of O, just make sure all plumbing and wiring is done to code.

daveinbedstuy | 8 years and 3 months ago

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If there is no C of O, then the configuration of the house has historically remained “fluid” in so far as people doing work that they can or can’t do without permits. Typically, your only concern is with the lending bank which typically won’t lend when a configuration does not match the C of O. The house I bought and subsequently sold 7 years later never had a C of O and I know the configuration was changed since it didn’t really match the mailing addresses (floors) that ConEd used (but the breaker boxes and service did) so it’ s a slippery slope. Attempting to change the configuration without filing is becoming a greater risk depending upon where you live, your neighbors’ propensity to complain, etc.

bk123 | 8 years and 3 months ago

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Yes that would be a new CO because the CO lists the divisions of apts on ea floor.
plus i imagine you would be removing a kitchen etc. So Alt 1 filing

Putnamdenizen | 8 years and 3 months ago

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You might want to pull the i-card (?) and other documents from DOB file to see what they have.