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Guidance For Converting a Basement or Cellar In NYC

Partially below curb level but with at least half of its height above that, is where a basement apartment is situated, and these are a fantastically effective way for home owners with unused basements or cellars to create more rentable space for NYCs continually increasing population.<br>

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Guidance For Converting a Basement or Cellar In NYC

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  1. Guidance For Converting a Basement or Cellar In NYC

  2. Partially below curb level but with at least half of its height above that, is where a basement apartment is situated, and these are a fantastically effective way for home owners with unused basements or cellars to create more rentable space for NYCs continually increasing population. However, permission from the relevant authorities is required for any renovation work on a building in NYC, and The Department of Buildings will need to assess the space and ensure that tenant safety will be maintained, and that their living standards will be acceptable.

  3. If you’re considering converting your basement into a livable space that you can rent out to tenants, here are just some of the general requirements you’ll need to meet: Minimum room size must conform with the Housing Maintenance Code Ceiling height must be a minimum of 7ft. All walls must be damp and waterproofed up to ground level. All rooms of the apartment must have at least one window. At least half of the window should be above street level. ● ● ● ● ●

  4. Any yard or other needed open space must be at least six inches lower than the window sill of any required window in the adjacent rooms. There must be multiple exits in case one is blocked by fire. The basement floor must be classified by the Department of Buildings as a separate dwelling unit, independent from the other dwelling units in the building. ● ● ●

  5. Converting your cellar into a livable space might also be an option, and cellars are defined as a floor that’s more than half below the level of the curb. Unlike basements, however, it isn’t possible to convert a cellar into a dwelling unit, and it also can’t have bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, or any other similar space. That said, cellars in NYC can be renovated for storage purposes, power rooms and even full bathrooms, but as with any conversion in NYC, it must meet the strict guidelines of The Department of Buildings.

  6. What to look out for if you’re renting an illegal basement or cellar conversion You may have been struggling to find affordable accommodation in NYC, and been forced to settle for an illegally converted basement or cellar, but be warned that you may be at risk from the following: Carbon monoxide poisoning Inadequate ventilation Insufficient emergency exits ● ● ●

  7. The City may also legally evict anyone living in an unlawful basement or cellar apartment without notice, and anyone caught violating basement and cellar rental laws as the property owner, stands to receive a hefty fine. The Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program (BACPP) Many basement apartments in NYC are lawful though, and a pilot program created by the department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to alleviate the housing shortage within the city, aims to allow buildings owners to convert their basements using a cash grant, provided it meets all safety requirements. However, most homeowners won’t qualify for this pilot scheme.

  8. As a renter, be sure to check whether the basement or cellar apartment you plan to move into has been registered and approved by the relevant authorities. As a property owner, you’d be advised to seek guidance from a reputable construction company in the city, who can check whether your basement or cellar is able to be legally converted into a dwelling unit.

  9. RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive and one of the best construction companies in Queens NY. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Queens and the surrounding area. We also offer building violation removal service. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for basement violation removal contractors in NYC or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.

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