Forum: C of O
November 2, 2009
C of O Change
I am thinking of buying the house next door and combining it. I imagine i will need a new C of O in order to do the conversion. Is this possible and if it is how hard is it to get?
October 19, 2009
Change from 2- to 4-Family
If someone wanted to change a 4 story brownstone that is a legal 2 family so that it could be used as 4 apartments, would they have to get approval from the city? If so, what is the process and how much does it cost?
I've heard stories about extra fire systems having to be installed etc. The DoB website doesn't help at all!
The building in question was built pre 1938 and has no CoO.
Also, there would be no major building work required, as the building would work perfectly as 4 apartments.
Thank you!
September 11, 2009
C of O Change in Loft
Does anyone know what's involved with changing the occupancy usage from work to live work? Can anyone recommend an attorney with specific knowledge to this sort of thing? Thanks!
September 3, 2009
CofO - DOB Website?
We are close to signing the contract on a newly-constructed condo unit. The building does not yet have a temporary CofO, but they've said they expect to get one "any day now". I checked the CofO status on the DOB website, and it says there are 6 outstanding "Objections" and several outstanding "Requirements". Just curious what the difference is - the list of objections seems like more work than the requirements, but do objections need to be cleared before a CofO (temporary or permanent) can be issued? Also, if there are still open objections and requirements on the DOB website, is it really likely that they're going to have a CofO "any day now"?
August 26, 2009
No C of O
I am shopping around for a rehab 2 family property, and I came across a candidate. The first weird thing is that the building does NOT have C of O on the NYC Buildings website. It seems it never had one. (It was built in the 1890's) Is this possible? Is this common? What are the implications?
August 12, 2009
Commercial C of O
This listing caught my eye:
http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/441983-coop-61-eastern-parkway-prospect-heights-brooklyn
Because it is huge, and then I read the fine print:
"This unit used to be used as [a medical office] and is now being sold as a 4br/2ba apartment! ... The property is currently zoned as commercial, and all you have to do is change the c of o to residential."
I'm not interested anymore, but I'm really curious about the "all you have to do" bit, which seems pretty disingenuous. We allow all these variances in the building code in exchange for community use spaces (which medical offices fall under, for better or for worse) so it shouldn't be easy to "just convert the CofO." We have zoning for a reason.
Or am I missing something?
July 31, 2009
C of O Use Group 4
Need to change a 1 family which currently has a C of O for guidance center offices (use group 4). Earliest C of O on record is for residential housing for nurses. Want to change it to 1 family residential. Has anyone done this successfully?
July 30, 2009
Neighbors - Wall Sharing - Law
I have built a new home in Park Slope and it is a townhouse, sitting attached to another townhouse. In order to get the certificate of occupancy, I have to extend the neighbors chimney. However, they are not allowing us to do this. Is there anyway that this can be done without their approval?
5-Unit C of O?
While looking for a brownstone/limestone to purchase, I've come across some where the "c of o" is for 5 or more units. Some of these units are SRO units.
If I buy a brownstone, I would want to divide it into two or three units. I would live in one of these units.
What issues should I be aware of regarding the c of o? Is difficult to get a mortgage when the c of o is for 5 units?
Is it difficult to change a c of o?
Thanks!
July 29, 2009
Change of C of O - 1Fam to 2Fam
job type ALTERATION TYPE 1
Details from the DOB read : JOb on hold
Last action: Plan exam - approved 1/2/2008
Job description: HEREWITH FILING FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR AN EXISTING TWO-F
AMILY HOUSE.THERE IS TO BE NO WORK UNDER THIS APPLICATION.NO CHANGE TO EXISTING USE,OCCUPANCY OR EGRESS.
------
There is nothing else on it on the website. Are there any other forms that should have been filed for the new C of O to be issued?
The closing date on the contract is set to be by the end of August. The seller agreed that having the 2 Fam c of O is a condition for closing. Based on what's on the website, I'm I to think that closing will still be doable for August? Our loan application is right on track and valid until 8/30. If a Temporary C of O is an option, how long does that take to get? This is our first home purchase and really like the property, we are just very nervous right now about this. Not sure what to expect since we need to make arrangements right now if do get to close by the end of August. Any advise on this would be really appreciate it.