Someone I know is very nice immigrant from one of the asian countries, and has a beautiful apt in jersey. But a few days ago, i heard that he got caught by town hall inspector by illegally remodeling the downstair to rent to other household. now the tenants(who are closer to friends than tenants cuz they dont pay money) have to move out and make the whole place(downstairs) empty! first i'm shocked that anything done to a personal property is illegal, and i don't understand why he has to be told what to do with it. does he have to keep the downstair place empty for good? even his family members or friends? to me all this sounds like nonsense..
2007-10-20 09:25:23 · 4 answers · asked by Chucky 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
We have building inspectors in this country. It keeps your house safe by assuring that your neighbor isn't going to make a mistake and burn down the whole neighborhood.
Also, you have to have proper zoning for multiple family structures. Additionally he needs to pay taxes on rental income.
In the USA you can not just do as you please just because you own the building. With your line of thinking, homeowners being above the law, a meth lab could go in there and you would be pleased as punch.
2007-10-20 09:36:32 · answer #1 · answered by Landlord 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Each city had a zoning code for houses located in each neighborhood.
Some houses are zoned for single family 1-3 bedroom houses. Some are zoned multi-family 2-4 units or above.
When you remodel your house for any reason you have shoe the city what you intend to do and get a permit from the city in which the house is located. If not and you do the remodeling any way, your project will be red flagged until the proper permits are obtained.
Now if I resided in the area and saw people making illegal alterations to the house I would call the city, because what you do on your property reflects on the value of my property, therefore my propriety as well as others around this property would lose value.
Also in most dwellings a limit as to the number of individuals living in a property is limited. You can not have 50 people living in a 1-2 bedroom house.
This taxes the water usage, bathroom, electricity usage and other things that would cause more damage to the house and could cause sanitary conditions that you might not see at the moment.
I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck.
"FIGHT ON"
2007-10-20 11:45:09 · answer #2 · answered by loanmasterone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The US has codes on construction and buildings .
They must meet safety and maximum occupancy codes .
If the property is Not in an area zoned for multi-family ,
It is illegal to do so , just as plumbing and electrical must be to code .
In many Asian countries , much construction is total trash done by do - it - yourself who have NO clue about good construction standards .
Often times these shanty jobs in the US , are not discovered until the property is placed for sale and fails the inspections .
Deals often fall through when it is discovered that it will cost 10s of thousands to correct low grade work .
This is the US , Not Asia .
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2007-10-20 09:34:40 · answer #3 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most remodeling requires a permit (especially if electrical is involved). And most towns have zoning regulations (single family, multiple family, industrial etc.). If the 'tenants' didn't pay rent, then they are guests and the zoning issues are off the table. that leaves the permits. Your friend needs an attorney.
2007-10-20 09:31:42 · answer #4 · answered by Dan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋