Obtaining permits PRE purchase? NYC

[Veronica Taylor]

Excuse the super novice question here but here goes. 

If one purchases a 2 family with an illegal unit, what’s the protocol on making it legal? Property is in a 3 family zone. Say it won’t be an issue with the lender so long as a permit to convert to a 3 family is obtained. 

My question is, how long does obtaining permission take on average, if granted.
And how can I as the buyer not yet owner obtain one? Is there some sort of “conditional permit” dependent upon closing or something to that effect?

[Alex Furini]

@Veronica Taylor,

To convert a house from 2 to 3 family in NYC would involve a Alteration type 1 filing. Alt 1's require drawings to be filed by an Architect and a subsequent review process with the Department of Buildings. Depending on which borough and how busy the DOB is, this process can take a number of months. You also need to be the owner to initiate the filing paperwork.

Potentially, you could get the existing owner to start the job, but that may involve more complexity than you wish to undertake.

Feel free to message me if you have additional questions.

Best of Luck with your project,

Alex Furini, RA