Hello BP'ers! I'm interested in a property that is being marketed on the MLS as a duplex, but doing my own research, the county records have it labeled as a SFR.

Questions:

• If I purchase the property, what's involved in getting it legally qualified as a MF?
• With tenants already in place (and will be there through the purchase), what problems does this pose in getting the property qualified as a MF?
• Has anyone ran across this situation and made the process of making the property MF a part of the sellers responsibility as part of the negations (good / bad)?

If it varies by city / county, this is in Pensacola, FL and any local knowledge/experience is certainly appreciated. 

I'm not quite sure what the code requirements are for Pensacola, FL, but I did find some information published by the city of Minneapolis.  There are two links under the conversion section which would give you a good starting point.  Hope this helps: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/mdr/interior/mdr_interior_converttoduplex

http://www.minneapolismn.gov/mdr/interior/mdr_interior_converttoduplex

It's probably not a big deal.  If the units have separate power meters, you can be assured the usage is legal.  Here's a link to our zoning codes.  Look at the zoning # on the tax assessor's site, then match up here.  If you're really concerned, call the County Zoning folks, they can tell you over the phone.  Let me know if any questions.  https://www.municode.com/library/fl/pensacola/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIILADECO_CH12-2.ZODI