Cellar Violations Removal As a NYC landlord, you’re probably looking for ways to increase your revenue and provide affordable housing in order to attract more tenants. One of the ways to do that is to convert a basement into an apartment. However, if you accidentally convert a cellar into an apartment, you could find yourself in violation of New York City’s housing laws and regulations.
The Difference Between a Basement and a Cellar
While you may call your below-ground space a basement or cellar interchangeably, NYC has precise definitions of each. A basement is a below-ground space where more than 50 percent of the exterior walls are above ground. A cellar is a below-ground space where more than 50 percent of the exterior walls are below ground. When deciding whether or not to turn a below-ground space in your building into an apartment, it’s important to keep these metrics in mind. If you accidentally convert a cellar into an apartment, you may receive a violation from the New York City Department of Buildings and be forced to find services for cellar violations removal.
Why Cellars Cannot Be Converted into Apartments
Cellars cannot be converted into apartments because they are deemed unsafe by NYC. While cellars can be converted into recreational rooms and contain a half-bath, they cannot be converted into a space meant to be lived-in full time by a member of your family or a renter.
Common Unsafe Conditions Found in Cellar Apartments
- Carbon Monoxide from Heating and Cooking Equipment
- Ceiling Heights not Up to Code
- Lack of Exterior Exits in Case of Fire
- Lack of Ventilation and Fresh Air
- Not Enough Natural and Artificial Light
- Water and Natural Gas Fixtures and Piping Not Up to Code
Cellar Violations Removal by John Farr
If you have been told by the NYC Department of Buildings that you have an illegal cellar conversion, your best bet is to hire the right professionals, like master plumber John Farr, in order to correct the condition and restore your building’s occupancy certificate. John Farr can perform cellar violations removal for illegal gas and water fixtures and piping, and he can work with other professionals, like architects and building inspectors to help ensure that your building is brought up to code.
It all starts with a phone call. When you receive your violation, give John Farr a call at 917-324-2535 and explain your situation and the violation. From there, John will come out to your apartment building and inspect the problem. He will pull all the appropriate permits for the cellar violation’s correction and make the repairs.
If you need to hire other professionals to correct more than plumbing and piping, John can work with those professionals to make sure that your building is brought up to code in a timely manner. He’ll even explain the process of getting your occupancy certificate restored and give you all the required paperwork, including any pictures, so that you can submit the documents to the NYC Department of Buildings.
To get your HPD, ECB/OATH violations corrected, illegal basement violation, gas company violation, gas boiler violation or any Plumbing building violations in NYC removed, call John Farr at 917-324-2535.
