In Law Suit vs. Multi- family
2 Replies
Hoai T.
from Wharton, New Jersey
posted over 3 years ago
Hi,
As I feel like the market for multifamily in North NJ is so competitive that my chance of getting a good one is so slow, I was told by my uncle to look in to in -law suit instead. I have done some research and look likes in -law suits, is not quite the same as multifamily even one has separate entrances. I called the town on a house I'm interested in and was told that it would be illegal to rent out a level to strangers. Have anyone gone through the process of legalizing an in- law to a multifamily? Is it worth it? what kind of paperworks are involved and how much does it cost?
Thank you!
Casity Kao
Realtor from Grand Rapids, MI
replied over 3 years ago
@Hoai T. I would ask the question a different way to this city by asking under what circumstance could I rent out this level. So for example can I rent it out to relatives or a family friend. What is I separated the utilities of the unit? If you give the impression you want to be as compliant as possible they will work with you. For example, we wanted to build a two stall garage with an accessory building on a property close to a lake that my in laws could stay in when visiting separate from house as well as an office area away from our loud kids. The city has a law that an accessory building in a residential neighborhood can not be occupied for overnight sleeping arrangements. (exact wording I forget). So I asked what would constitute overnight sleeping and it turned out as long as it did not have a kitchen it would not be considered a dwelling for overnight sleeping arrangements. So we could get our office with a bath, and an area my in-laws can stay when we are out of town, and potentially rental income for somebody not looking to cook.
Michael Lee
Flipper/Rehabber from Lyndhurst, NJ
replied over 3 years ago
Hi @Hoai T.
The ability for a mother-daughter unit to legalized as a separate unit is also dependents on the zoning of the property. For example, if a property is on a lot zoned for up to 2 family, and you wanted to convert the 3rd unit into a legal 3 family, you may also need to get the zoning changed or a variance, which would require board approvals from city planning.
Some towns are more flexible then others. We have a property in Lyndhurst, NJ. I am almost for certain that they will not allow 3 families in the town, no properties are zoned for that. Which is also why most 3 family and up are so hard to find in Northern NJ!