wearycyclist57 said:Changing a building's exterior includes things like installing AC units, or putting up satellite dishes and TV antennas along with their mounts.
My point is that none of this should actually be happening, yet people do it constantly. But what's the real catch here? It really just comes down to how fast you can get the job done. Installing an AC unit or a satellite dish only takes about two hours, so it flies under the radar.
I mean, has anyone ever actually asked all the other residents for permission before mounting an antenna? Probably not. But it gets away with it because it’s a quick install and then you're done. That’s basically the whole trick. It’s not even about whether it’s allowed; it’s about how quickly you can pull it off. If you can wrap it up in two hours, it passes.
But when you're talking about installing French windows, that takes at least a few days of work. You'll likely need scaffolding, a construction crew, and workers milling around the hallways. Everyone in the building is going to notice, which gives plenty of time for someone to call building inspectors. If you could do that in two hours, it would slip through just like the AC units. That's the core of it, as far as I can tell.
That’s why I specifically asked if installing a skylight is permitted. I didn't get a straight answer here, obviously. But I know that falls under changing the building's appearance—since you're altering the roof, and the roof is common property. So, technically, you should need everyone's consent to put in a skylight.
However, I know for a fact the previous owner installed skylights without ever asking for permission. He didn't consult anyone, and he never ran into any issues with them. Why? Simply because the work was on the roof, and nobody even realized anything was happening.
And that's the bottom line. From what I've gathered, you aren't allowed to do anything that changes the exterior look of the building without getting consent from every single unit owner. That part is 100% clear.
So how is it that everyone is slapping AC units onto the building's facade and outer walls? Isn't that changing the exterior look? Those units stick out so much you can see them from a mile away.
First, let’s not conflate actual structural renovations—the kind where you’re altering the building's core integrity and permanently changing its silhouette—with mere assembly work, which carries zero risk to the building's stability and can be easily undone. Furthermore, any work involving the building's exterior should involve consultation with either the homeowners' association representative or the property manager. This isn't just a matter of basic etiquette regarding shared property; it’s a legal requirement. There were likely agreements established regarding how this specific building is maintained long before you saw fit to invest your capital into that unit. Thirdly—there are certain maintenance practices that were common around buildings throughout the 80s and 90s that simply don't fly anymore. This is especially true when dealing with older, landmarked structures. If you intend to continue this trend of neglecting and damaging historic properties, that is entirely your prerogative. However, do not expect us to sit here and applaud you for it.
If you’re going to be stubborn about asking questions, then at least have the decency to respect the expertise of those who actually know what they’re talking about. The conservators in this scenario would be the Department of the Interior or your local historical preservation office Even if you aren't pulling a full construction permit, any change to the exterior requires their explicit approval for the proposed work. Or, at the very least, they need to tell you that you don't need it—though based on your description of the building, I highly doubt that's an option. Furthermore, since you are messing with the building's exterior, you are legally required to get consent from the other co-owners. If your plans involve touching the structural integrity of the building, you absolutely need a licensed professional to confirm whether it's even physically possible. Ultimately, you'll need a certified engineer to draft the actual blueprints for everything mentioned above. None of this is an impossible mission; it just requires significant time, effort, and capital. But if your grand plan was to slap some amateurish design onto that historic building without consulting anyone—acting as if you're the smartest person in the room and that an engineer's input is beneath you—then my advice is simple: don't bother.
The fine for failing to report through the e-visit system can reach up to $3.25. It’s a classic case of "letter of the law" versus common sense—the government doesn't care if there was zero impact on the federal budget. If (or when) you get caught, you're on the hook.
Besides, that’s private property. My neighbor owns it outright. If the local municipality wants to claim it's a public thoroughfare, they can go ahead and officially record it on the deed for that parcel. Otherwise, if you're looking into alternative arrangements, check out the previous thread regarding a service road.
When you pull up a property deed through the County Assessor's Office's digital portal, it opens the integrated land management system. If you navigate to the "parcel overview" section ( take a look under the following tabs: graphics / view Deed/Property Record / view Ownership/Property Record . From there, open the Ownership/Property Record tab, and you'll find all the ownership details right there. In the event that a road is officially designated as a public thoroughfare, the local municipality is legally obligated to ensure it remains passable. If they fail to maintain access, the appropriate recourse would be for the municipality to file a lawsuit to address the obstruction of a public roadway.
The public road you’re describing fits the legal definition of an unclassified roadway. I should clarify one thing, though: having something recorded in the County Assessor's Office doesn't actually grant ownership; it merely denotes a specific type of possession. True ownership is tied strictly to the property deed. The local government—whether it’s the City Hall or the county administration—can resolve this. Under current transit laws, they are responsible for officially recording that road, which involves drafting a formal survey and ensuring the data is correctly transferred to both the deed and the County Assessor's Office.
Such reckless responses—certainly not the way to go. One has to be remarkably thick-skinned to ignore people offering genuine, well-intentioned advice on how to actually resolve their own issues. But no, this gentleman (I assume) seems hell-bent on insisting on a private consultation with some real estate specialist. Or perhaps a lawyer; someone please clarify that distinction for me. It’s quite unique how he manages to reject every single practical suggestion offered. Then again, after spending countless years dealing with the public, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore.
gentleraven3 said:So, I actually had a fully finalized, permitted, and approved project for two garages on my lot—all set before I even pulled the trigger on the attic remodel and rezoning. Total stroke of luck, right? I had absolutely no clue that rule even existed in the local zoning code... what a joke. Look, I agree—garages are great. But they aren't some absolute requirement just to build a multi-story house. If they pushed for that extra space, my guess is it was just to keep people from choking up the street by parking everywhere. But honestly? That’s exactly the headache on my block. Everyone has a garage or a driveway, yet you still have to play a game of slalom just to drive down the street because everyone parks on the curb anyway—usually because their garages are stuffed with junk they don't need. Then, when winter hits, you can't even get a snowplow through the neighborhood because of the mess. Look, check this out—the house has three separate units, but officially? There isn't a single garage or parking spot on record. When it comes time to actually subdivide the property and file the paperwork, I’m seriously worried about how that's going to play out...
What happens if all the co-owners sign that mortgage insurance consent for the person who actually took out the loan? Now, let’s say the house gets split into three separate condos in the meantime, everyone gets their names on the titles, but the bank doesn't get paid—so now she’s basically sitting on the whole property. Which part does she actually have the right to lien? Just her share, or the entire thing?
If that turns out to be true, we’re looking at a total disaster... 🤦
I won't dwell on the garage and parking situation specifically, but it’s clear that the underlying issue remains unaddressed because people simply refuse to cooperate. Instead of following the rules, they either bypass the intended solutions entirely or repurpose garages for things they weren't designed for. It’s this kind of avoidance that inevitably leads us to these types of scenarios. If a mortgage is filed against an entire property rather than a specific unit, that lien stays attached to the whole house until the bank decides otherwise. Essentially, during the condo conversion process, you should attempt to negotiate with your lender to restrict the mortgage to just your specific portion of the real estate. To make this happen, the bank will conduct a new appraisal to determine if the value of that individual section sufficiently covers the outstanding loan amount. Just be prepared for the fact that you’ll be the one footing the bill for the bank's re-evaluation of the property.
gentleraven3 said:Look, if you're even thinking about breaking ground on a construction project, you obviously need an architect. Period. When I said you should talk to an architect first—I meant actually getting some expert insight on your specific situation before you even think about breaking ground.
Look, there are plenty of other ways to tackle parking—it really just depends on the neighborhood, the type of building, and what the local situation looks like. Why stick to one method when you can adapt?
What exactly do you mean by "Don't take that clause lightly..."? It’s honestly ridiculous that you NEED a garage or a parking spot just to get approval for adding a second story to a house. Who actually cares? If the owner doesn't own a car—or if they just can't stand being around motorized vehicles—that shouldn't be anyone else's problem. Does it really matter if they even have a driver's license? It's such a joke.
I haven't looked into those loans yet... Is this a mortgage or just a standard home loan? Because I’m not following—if you need consent from all co-owners, that means the entire property goes up as collateral, not just your 1/3 share. Does that mean if someone defaults and the bank forecloses, they can just seize the whole house regardless of the fact that the other two owners hold the remaining 2/3? Or am I missing something here? 🤔
In all honesty, I find it baffling that in this day and age, one still needs to be convinced that an apartment should come with at least one parking spot—whether it's for the resident or for guests arriving by car. You'll eventually realize the necessity once you get older and children start visiting.
gentleraven3 said:Look, if you're even thinking about breaking ground on a construction project, you obviously need an architect. Period. When I said you should talk to an architect first—I meant actually getting some expert insight on your specific situation before you even think about breaking ground.
Look, there are plenty of other ways to tackle parking—it really just depends on the neighborhood, the type of building, and what the local situation looks like. Why stick to one method when you can adapt?
What exactly do you mean by "Don't take that clause lightly..."? It’s honestly ridiculous that you NEED a garage or a parking spot just to get approval for adding a second story to a house. Who actually cares? If the owner doesn't own a car—or if they just can't stand being around motorized vehicles—that shouldn't be anyone else's problem. Does it really matter if they even have a driver's license? It's such a joke.
I haven't looked into those loans yet... Is this a mortgage or just a standard home loan? Because I’m not following—if you need consent from all co-owners, that means the entire property goes up as collateral, not just your 1/3 share. Does that mean if someone defaults and the bank forecloses, they can just seize the whole house regardless of the fact that the other two owners hold the remaining 2/3? Or am I missing something here? 🤔
You are conflating the purpose of the loan (in this case, residential) with the method of securing repayment (the mortgage). If you are co-owners of an undivided interest, there is no distinct individual unit upon which a bank can place a lien; the lien applies to the property as a whole. This is precisely why you need the signature and consent of all co-owners to secure a mortgage—it is to place an encumbrance on the entire structure. Of course, loans are available without a mortgage, though they typically involve much smaller amounts. Regardless, it would be prudent to consult with some local banks; it costs nothing but a bit of your time.
gentleraven3 said:When you guys were building, did you actually add a new level or just convert an attic into living space? Or was the top floor already listed as an apartment?
I'm guessing you've already finished the renovation. Did she manage to pull a mortgage from the bank (if you went that route)? Since she gained ownership through the deed of gift and registration, which is usually a requirement just to qualify for a loan in the first place? Asking because I'm staring down a similar situation myself.
Also, here's a major thing if you eventually decide to go through with formal partitioning... You really need to dig into the local zoning laws. In my case, I can't partition the third floor because it's currently zoned as storage, and according to our local ordinances, every apartment needs its own dedicated parking spot. Best bet is to run it by an architect or check in with City Hall to see what the actual options are.
To change the usage of a space or handle any additions, hiring an architect is non-negotiable. You also need professional help to navigate the parking requirements; there are various ways to satisfy those mandates, but you won't know which ones apply until you've pored over the entire municipal code and zoning resolutions. Don't take those parking stipulations lightly—you'll eventually be the one needing that space, and more often than not, a single spot ends up being insufficient. Regarding the loan, if you intend to use the property as collateral for a mortgage, you will need the formal consent of all co-owners of the property.
gentleraven3 said:Exactly—it's a gift. You can write just about anything into a deed of gift. You can define his specific portion clearly and then tie it back to the official floor plan later. It could be the attic, a floor being built, the 2nd floor... whatever. If necessary, attach the building permit so there's no legal mess down the road. Since he doesn't own the place, the construction permits and blueprints have to stay in the owner's name, not his. But if he wants real protection, he can request a change of developer and get his name added to the permit.
That's the point—he needs security so his investment isn't snatched away. Like, imagine he drops a massive amount of cash to build an apartment, but meanwhile, some relative takes out a huge mortgage or causes major financial damage they can't pay back. Suddenly, creditors are knocking on the door, and our guy is stuck fighting a losing battle in US courts trying to prove what's actually his.
I'm no expert, but those are the moves.
While you can technically write just about anything into a gift deed, you can't always record those custom terms in the county land records. Essentially, you can only legally gift what actually exists on the property as it stands. To protect his investment, he simply needs to secure "building rights" from the owner. This agreement should be as detailed as possible regarding exactly what he is permitted to build, and he could even potentially use that right to secure a mortgage.
Are you suggesting he's being gifted what, exactly? An unfinished floor? It is entirely possible to gift an undivided interest in a property—say, a 1/3 or 1/2 stake in a house—just to provide some sense of investment security for family members. Once the building is actually functional, they can then proceed with a formal subdivision to match the actual square footage.
Gregory Nguyen2 said:So, I see—condo conversion is essentially the prerequisite for transferring ownership over to yourself.
Is it possible to kick off the condo conversion process before the building is even fully finished? Like, could you handle that independently from getting the certificate of occupancy or the official property registration?
Since applying for a separate utility connection with companies like ConEd involves setting up an individual account anyway, wouldn't they already be aware that there's another residential unit in the works?
No. First, you need the occupancy permit. Only then can you proceed with partitioning the units for yourself and others.
Ronald Ramirez11 said:Who handles the rezoning process for turning commercial property into a residence? And once the work is finished, where do I go to get the official permit to operate?
Also, how do I look up the specific zoning ordinances to see if that commercial space is even eligible for residential use?
You would need to contact the local zoning department or the municipal building authority responsible for that specific district.
Ronald Ramirez11 said:Who handles the rezoning process for turning commercial property into a residence? And once the work is finished, where do I go to get the official permit to operate?
Also, how do I look up the specific zoning ordinances to see if that commercial space is even eligible for residential use?
The county government office—specifically the department of commerce or the local licensing bureau—where the property is located.
Ronald Ramirez11 said:Who handles the rezoning process for turning commercial property into a residence? And once the work is finished, where do I go to get the official permit to operate?
Also, how do I look up the specific zoning ordinances to see if that commercial space is even eligible for residential use?
Zoning maps and ordinances are typically available on the official website of the city or municipality where the property sits. However, it is far more efficient to consult directly with the local planning and zoning commission when you are inquiring about rezoning a property.
At that point, you should look into converting the commercial space into residential use—provided the conversion doesn't trigger the need for major construction projects requiring a formal building permit from the local municipality. Once the renovations are complete, you would then apply for the necessary occupancy permits to finalize the change. The real sticking point, however, is whether this transition aligns with current zoning laws and how the municipal urban planning regulations specifically categorize that particular commercial zone.