Costs and pitfalls of making Illegal 2nd apt legal

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Costs and pitfalls of making Illegal 2nd apt legal

Jeremiah Johnson
Member since 2023 · 2 posts · 0 votes

We purchased our home in Newark NJ in the fall of 2023. 


The house has a basement that has been built out to be, what I assume, was an illegal 2nd apt. 

I've done the research and it meets local code for egress / fire escapes. It has a bathroom with shower, and a kitchen area with W/D. 

If....and this is a BIG if I know...the work was done to code, what could I reasonably expect it to cost for the inspections / rezoning process? 

I will need to add a second electrical panel for down there, but that, hopefully, is all the work that needs to be done other than paperwork.

Appreciate any help the group can offer. Especially if you are in the NJ area. 

Thanks!

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  • Shawn McenteerBusiness Member
    Realtor · Boonton Township, NJ · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Hi @Jeremiah Johnson Egress and fire escape are great.  You must also consider ceiling height and window size as it pertains to bedroom egress, this is separate in terms of livable space.  Another huge aspect to consider is kitchen stove/oven,  it can be very difficult to be allowed to have stove in basement.  Keep in mind with all this livable space is much different in comparison to separate livable unit.

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  • Jeremiah Johnson
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    1y

    @Shawn Mcenteer - Thanks for the thoughts. I've checked and the living space is the correct height. 

    I was reviewing code for the egress windows, and I'm a little confused.
    I have two exterior doors to the basement, one to the street out front and one to the backyard. Do I need to worry about the size of my windows? Don't the doors count as egress so the windows don't matter, or am I reading that wrong? 

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  • Shawn McenteerBusiness Member
    Realtor · Boonton Township, NJ · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Speak directly with municipality to confirm Exactly what they require but unless the door is directly in bedroom in most cases a window will be required that is large enough essentially for firefight to enter bedroom with gear on. The exact dimension town will be able to confirm. 

    I’ve had cases where clients of mine had dug out the ground in order to have large enough window put in to qualify basements space as bedroom. 

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