Combining Apartments

Greetings:

My wife and I live in a condo that is owned only in my name (Apt #1).  Recently we bought the adjacent apartment from the sponsor with both our names on the title (Apt # 2).  We plan to combine the two units and own title in both our names.

Question:  Are there any suggestions for minimizing the costs for transferring the title from Apartment #1, owned solely in my name, to the title of the combined apartment, which will be owned in both mine and my wife’s name?  Will the combined apartment have two separate block and lot numbers and two separate real estate tax statements?  Can you recommend any good articles on the legal fees and steps required for combining the apartments?  Thanks for your comments.

kvolandes

in Lawyers and legal service 13 years and 9 months ago

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needmtg | 13 years and 9 months ago

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“names” and “titles”, matt.

thedog | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Changing the name on the title is easily done by filing a new deed by which you transfer the unit from yourself to yourself and your spouse. In order to legally combine condo units you need to file for approval from the DOB. The physical combination requires the removal of one kitchen (cap the gas line). The DOB will issue a Letter of Completion when final inspections are completed. No new Certificate of Occupancy is required.  At that time the separate tax lots should also be combined into one. I suggest you retain a lawyer and an architect; this is not DIY.

StudioLAB | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Getting the name’s on the Title’s changed is fairly easy and should be handled by any good lawyer for a nominal charge.

Combing the two apartments is a bigger undertaking that will take more time and money. You will need to file with DOB showing the combination of units with removal of one of the kitchen’s (now would be a time to renovate if you were planning it). You will also need to file an application with the Dept. of Finance combing the two tax lots. The application package includes 1) amending the condominium declaration 2) amending the offering plan 3) amending the Schedule B and by-laws 4) show floor plans of the units before and after the combination. DOB and DOF plans and applications need to be prepared by an Architect while a lawyer needs to draft the ammendments to the condo deck, Schedule B  and by-laws.

DOB guidelines on combining apts. here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/tppn0397.shtml

DOF Condo Apportionment process:
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/pdf/property/pro_506.pdf

Please contact me if you need help in this process.I have experience with Condo/Co-op unit combination’s and renovations.

mhm@studiolabdesign.com
www.studiolabdesign.com

Best,
Matt

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Combining them as tax parcels will be a bit difficult.  Just get your existing title changed to both names, either TIC or JTWROS.   Any lawyer can do this.  Ask the one who did your closing or call

David Fainkich
718-840-5860

Boerumresident | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Actually, I think condo developments have a separate lot# for each unit — usually 1001, 1002, etc.,

slopegirl | 13 years and 9 months ago

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block and lot #s are for a building. I’d call a lawyer to answer legal Qs