Partitioning off open space to create xtr bedroom

rb:Yes, you will need a permit and inpections.
How long will it take? Get started now.
Circumventing the need for a permit is breaking the law.
You don't need the cost and headaches.

Truth:

By circumventing i didnt mean breaking the law. I was referring to options
such as insralling a temporary pressured wall

rb: O.K., but you need to get a reno/alteration aplication from your building's board.
They may then demand that it goes through DOB approval. Just to be sure, and on the up-and-up.
You have a space with windows and proper ventilation, so that's good.

I am not so sure you need to get a permit as it is not a structural wall. I would consult with your management co. When you go to sell the unit you might have to take the wall down. I could be wrong but i think if you make it into an home office, not a bedroom you do not a permit. I do not believe you need an asbestos report as you are not doing any demo.

We have a long-range plan to do this too -- to create a BR out of a dining foyer, which has been done in other apartments in our building -- and were going to start by using our super as our point person, so he knows the building well and can tell us what renovations will generate what paperwork.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

Ali/Primer:

1. I reviewed the DOB website over the weekend.
2. it explicitly exempts from permitting bathroom and kitchen tiling and cabinet installation/removal.
3. ditto installation and removal of bathroom equipment like vanities and sink bases
4. and minor plumbing such as installation of sinks, shower piping, showerhead
5. it is silent regarding creation of a room by putting up a wall
6. however, fines for illegal work reportedly exceed $10,000
7. and it seems that Coops/Condos are jointly liable with unit owners for violation
8. which means that they have an incentive to report illegal work
9. I will check with DOB Monday and update this thread

They might have an incentive if you do not tell them what you are doing and sneak the workers upstairs. Most buildings require you to fill out an alteration agreement for that very reason. Once you give a scope of work to your building management comapny they will sent it to their architect and then you will recive notice that it is ok to go ahead with the work or not. They might want drawings, they might want a permit. Let your building tell you what you need to do and thats it.

Yes, Primer: That's what I was suggesting.
Submit the alteration form, and wait for response (hope not too long for that response).

I've never seen this mentioned on StreetEasy, but I always think that the Fire Department wants to know about any alterations in case of an emergency & they have to risk life & limb going in there.

drdrd:

1. you're correct
2. unit is exempt from Coop alteration rules

What? Unit is exempt? I never heard of that before. Do you know why it is exempt?

1. get alteration agreement from your board
2. get someone to prepare the plans showing apartment floor plan and details on the new partition (usually done by architect or designer)
size of the room can’t be less then 8'in any direction
3. submit to me management company with the signned alt agreenent and checks they requare
4. wait for their response - they will tell you if you need to file or not (1-5 weeks)
if yes you hire an expediter he/she will take care of the rest - asbestos, filing etc ( I suggest no to attempt to file yourself ) usually expediter comes with architect or designer you hire (3-6)weeks
your contractor has to be licensed to be able to poll the permit
per DOB if you are building fool height partition you have to file floor plans with DOB
but your board can give you ok not to
We have done that

Pimer05:

Sponsor coops are generally exempt from Coop alterations agreement requirements under
standard proprietary lease paragraph 21(a( .. (b).

NYC Real Estate:

What authority or right does a Coop board have to allow shareholders
to add partitioning walls without DOB permit consent? Please explain
in as much detail as possible what you were referring to. Thank you.

rb can't really answer why; boards have power on certain decisions in nyc that are not always strait, so before u do anything with the DOB it should go to the board first

In reference to the being exempted I am sorry I don't know the exact situation but if you are buying the sponsor unit ones you bought in, you are subject to comply with the board's alt agreement however you are exempt from the board approval at the purchasing

nyc .. real_estate:

Purchasers of sponsor units often become holders of sponsor unsold shares with the
same rights as sponsors and, as such, can generally perform alterations without Coop consent

Thank you for the info it's a detail I did't come across before

rb345 - this came up in another thread where it was determined that you have to buy a fairly significant number of sponsor units and go through a fairly cumbersome process to be able to step into the sponsor's shoes re: same rights as sponsors. Someone buying just one unit probably couldn't/wouldn't want to go through the process.

ph41:

What you were told is wrong. I own lots of 1-2/units/Coop
sponsor apartments. Acquisition of that status depends on
the terms of a Coop's proprietary lease, not the # of units
bought, which is more relevant to whether a purchaser becomes
responsible for maintaining the Coop's offering plan by filing
amendments to it.

i always feel sad for people who have to do this. talk about not living within your means.

The extra room can't be smaller than 7 ft in any dimension and the window must be at least 35 inches wise and doorway should be no less than 20 inches in width. Hope that helps. We went through a similar situation

cb:

1. where did you go through that situation: in a coop or condo?
2. did you have to file for and obtain a dept of buildings permit?
3. thanks for your information: I will overqualify on all counts