Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We have a two family home, with a finish basement, which we don't rent and would never rent it. All we have in the basement is a bedroom and a bathroom, with a standup shower, we do our laundry there also. We have some deadbeat family who can't own anything so they report ,we have an illegal basement. So i would like to know what is illegal in this basement. My kids usually play there since all there toys r there. Please let me know.
We have a two family home, with a finish basement, which we don't rent and would never rent it. All we have in the basement is a bedroom and a bathroom, with a standup shower, we do our laundry there also. We have some deadbeat family who can't own anything so they report ,we have an illegal basement. So i would like to know what is illegal in this basement. My kids usually play there since all there toys r there. Please let me know.
No such thing as an illegal basement unless it didn't meet the building codes which i'm sure it does.The only thing you could have been hit with is an illegal apartment if you were renting it out and hadn't registered it as one.You can have people living there and not paying rent and that's not illegal.
Depends on the town/village code. The bedroom might not have proper egress, heating equipment not properly contained, no CO for the basement bathroom, etc.
I am a LL and I would never do anything outside code or non compliant here in NJ the tenants have all the rights and it could put you in a bad position. eg the tenants could bring you to court,the judge says they can't stay and you have to put them in a hotel. Then you say but they are not paying, that might be true but it could also be a situation that they have legal rights to appeal. They could "lie" and you would not be able to prove or disprove.
I am a LL and I would never do anything outside code or non compliant here in NJ the tenants have all the rights and it could put you in a bad position. eg the tenants could bring you to court,the judge says they can't stay and you have to put them in a hotel. Then you say but they are not paying, that might be true but it could also be a situation that they have legal rights to appeal. They could "lie" and you would not be able to prove or disprove.
What would make it illegal is if you rent it out and there is only one exit, not including windows. Unless it's big enough for u to fit through in case of emergency.
What would make it illegal is if you rent it out and there is only one exit, not including windows. Unless it's big enough for u to fit through in case of emergency.
Not getting permits and co makes it illegal. The other question is what would make it safe and compliant to the local code.
Who gets a permit to finish a basement?? If there is no kitchen area with a stove then its not an apartment. It most likely started out as a storage room, a laundry room and a toilet w/sink. Worst case scenerio is if he decides to sell the home is that the bedroom cannot be listed as one and the shower is not included in the listing.
Even if it ever came to a fine, that would be a lot lower than the extra taxes that would have been paid. Talk to your neighbors, I don't think you will find one that took out a permit to finish a basement.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Why did you even ask that question? I am only trying to help and I am not the only one who was confused with the post.
