Kitchen to bedroom conversion

Hi, I have a legal 3-family building. I live on the 1st floor of the building and my tenants on the 3rd floor left. I am planning on occupying that unit as well and wanted to convert the kitchen into a bedroom. What are the legal ramifications of doing it? Do I need to change the C of O? Do I need a permit?

kenieva

in General Discussion 7 years and 5 months ago

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kenieva | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks so much, that is what I thought .

daveinbedstuy | 7 years and 5 months ago

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You don’t have to let them in if someone calls to report something. You obviously have to let the inspector in to inspect work done under permits. But removing kitchen cabinets does not require permits. Technically, only rerouting the plumbing, gas and electric do in what you are doing.

kenieva | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Really? I don’t have to let them in? Wow!!! I am trying to get al the information regarding renovations but the Dept of Buildings is a nightmare and everybody seems to have a different opinion as to whether or not you need permits for certain things, that is why I posted the question in the first place.

daveinbedstuy | 7 years and 5 months ago

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You have no obligation to let an inspector in. It’s not a law. There won’t be any arrest. Maybe you should familiarize yourself with the workings and issues with the DOB and permits before you embark on anything like this. Asking here is a good start though.

kenieva | 7 years and 5 months ago

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No, i am obviously not planning to file a complain against myself. And yes, I will let an inspector in if someone files a complain. I don’t plan on getting arrested thank you very much.

resident2 | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Why would an inspector come to your house? Are you going to file a complaint about your own house?
If any come knocking on your door, you do not have to let them in… even if your neighbor files a complaint.

kenieva | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Can you elaborate please?

daveinbedstuy | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Wrong.

kenieva | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks for the replies. So, if I understand this correctly, if an inspector comes to my house and sees that there are only 2 kitchens, it is not a problem, right?

JohnHancock | 7 years and 5 months ago

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I did this a few years back from a 2 fam to a single fam. Made the kitchen into a walk-in closet. I capped off the water and waste lines as well as the gas which I had nat’l grid shut off and close the account. I left all the lines in the walls. I refinanced my mortgage and it was no problem even though I removed the 2nd kitchen. Nat’l Grid will eventually remove the meter for that account. If you ever want to revert you would have to do a gas pressure test on that gas line to reopen the account

daveinbedstuy | 7 years and 5 months ago

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What resident2 said. Do not change the C of O, just remove the kitchen and leave the hookups within the walls.

resident2 | 7 years and 5 months ago

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I would not file it. Just make sure to use a real plumber to plug off all water lines, gas lines and waste lines.
There is not an issue with “under using a house, only over occupying a house.
If you file to convert it to a two family from a three, it will be virtually financially impossible to convert it back to a three.