No C of O or I-card?

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I’m interested in purchasing a three story house that is currently being used as a two family.  There is no official dividing wall between the two apartments on the parlor floor, but there are two kitchens, two electric meters and 2 gas meters.  The Dept of Finance classification is listed as B3 – two family converted from 1 family.  However, from my research on this forum and elsewhere, everyone is saying that the C of O is really what matters.  I looked on DOB BIS and there is no C of O, no actions, nothing. Then I checked for I-card on HPD’s website.  Nothing.  So I went down to DOB today in person. There’s nothing in the folder, nothing on microfilm.  Then I went down the hall to the code enforcement office and they have no I-cards on file. Everyone was clueless.  Finally they gave me this print-out – see image. It was not that different than what info I could get going on HPD’s website myself and searching — still said A units: 2   B units: 0    No of stories: 2\.  But on their printout, it also said “Bldg Class: 1 Family House” (which it notable does NOT say when I search the website myself).   Does the 2 units mean anything?  1 family house sounds pretty clear, but is this printout the official gospel?  I want to use the house as a legal 2-family and this info worries me.  Wtih no C of O and no I-cards on record, and being taxed as a 2-family, would the next step be asking the seller to get a letter of no objection so I can use the house as a legal 2 family, or is the classification here set in stone without a DOB inspection?  I don’t want to have to deal with a DOB inspection / costs to make the house a two-family. None of the work done over the years has had permits pulled, though not much has changed from the original home, except electrical updated throughout. Also, what does the meaning of “last inspection date 2/28/2004” to the right? There have been absolutely no permits pulled or anything filed, no violations, nothing.  So why an inspection listed in 2004?

lapinagile

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 13 years and 7 months ago

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daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 7 months ago

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Most brownstones in brooklyn have no C of O.  DOF has it as a two family and that’s what you want it to be and you say that’s what it’s set up as.  I don’t understand your problem.   As far as work without a permit, that’s a different issue but really only if you are now going to be pulling new permits.

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 7 months ago

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You can get a letter of no objection from dob. I would have to see the layout to see if it complys properly. I would not worry too much about it. If finance has it properly then that might be enough. Just becasue you cannot see the icard online does not mean it is not there.