Roof rights - Need some advice

I would think that you would want something explicit stating that you have the right to build on the roof and that you are purchasing whatever portion of the building’s unused FAR that you require. Although the roof is likely the only place where the condo could actually take advantage of unused FAR, there is nothing that says the condo couldn’t sell unused FAR to a 3rd party. As I see it, the roof and unused FAR are two different things and owning the roof outright doesn’t guarantee your right to build additional living space up there later.

bkny

in Lawyers and legal service 13 years and 10 months ago

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kissiffer4 | 13 years and 11 months ago

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Hi, We live on the top two floors of a brownstone in NYC and we are in the process of obtaining ‘roof rights’ from the other two owners (would like to have papers prepared to amend the existing condo declaration). I have verbal agreements from both of them, so that side of things is not a problem. FAR and zoning is also not a problem. The issue is, I am trying to figure out exactly what ‘roof rights’ will give us. One attorney I spoke with said the roof will become a limited common area and we will have exclusive rights. That’s great as we want to build a deck for now, but the problem is, we also want to build a small room up there in a couple of years from now and I wondered whether it being a limited common area will cause a problem? Is there is an exclusive sort of ownership of the roof that we could get to do what we wish with it down the road? Any feedback much appreciated. Thanks.

bkny | 13 years and 10 months ago

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The following link is to an interesting related article from the NY Times in 2007: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/realestate/18cov.html?scp=1&sq=roof%20addition&st=cse You definitely do not want the roof to be considered a limited common area. In addition to purchasing roof rights you will want to purchase enough of the building’s unused FAR (assuming there is any) to ensure that you can build on the roof later on. You should also make clear to the other owners of your intention to build on the roof in the future as you will need their cooperation when and if you do build a rooftop addition.

kissiffer4 | 13 years and 10 months ago

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bkny..thanks for the link. Interesting stuff. My attorney told me that as long as it is stated in the amended declaration that we have outright ownership of the roof, then that will include everything that comes with it (i.e. make it possible to build a room up there). Does that sound correct? Of course, since it won’t be a limited common area and will be outright ownership, we will be responsible for the maintenance of the roof. Thanks.