Kitchen in basement w/o permit

My two cents for what it’s worth: anytime you buy a house/building/condo/coop you should include a clause in the contract that the seller is required to show that all alterations are legal. Whether it a basement/cellar bathroom or kitchen, or the removal of a wall, or whatever, make sure the seller has the repsonsibility of getting everything legal. You do not need to buy a headache, as a home owner, you’ll end up with plenty of those from emerging issues.

bkmatthew

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 12 years and 10 months ago

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stephanie | 12 years and 10 months ago

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Hi. I found a great house but was upset to find a kitchen and bath (both very nicely done) in the basement. I checked NYC.gov Buildings and saw no permits had been issued for them. The realtor told me they were both done recently. If I buy the house, should I make them legal? What would that entail and what would it cost? I have no intention of renting out the basement (I know it’s illegal and I don’t want to be a landlord) but I’m wondering what to do about those add-ons. What if I use the stove in the basement and it goes ker-plooey? Would my insurance still cover the house? Thanks, as always, to all who help on this site!

stevecym | 12 years and 10 months ago

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I may be wrong but you may not be able to make these legal.  a neighbor of mine bought a house with the same arrangment – and he too had not intention of renting it out – and the DOB found out and made him get an architect to file for the removal and putting the space back the way it was.  I have always heard that the only thing allowed in the basement is a 1/2 bath and a utility sink.  as for the insurance, my insurance company told me that if something was not to code and that something resulting in a fire, that it was their perogative not to pay.  I am not sure if that is true or not. wait until some of the architects weigh in here before you believe what I am saying. Steve

http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon

Bond | 12 years and 10 months ago

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First things first, are you talking cellar or basement?  I find a lot of people in New York get the two confused, I know I do.  There are lots of legal basement kitchens, not so much cellar kitchens.

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 10 months ago

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You can either try and make the house a 2 family (if it is a basement) or remove the stove to leave a wet bar and legalize the bathroom too.

stephanie | 12 years and 10 months ago

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Hi. Thanks to all for their help. Steve from TinkersWagon, you are the best. I spoke to you a long time ago about access to my washer’s on and off valves. You talked to me for a good 20 minutes by phone. Even though you didn’t have time for the job, you were so helpful! I believe it is a basement. When you open the door to the basement, you step right out into the common driveway. No steps are involved.