Is this sale possible?

Question

I've rented a side-by-side duplex for about 6 yrs now and I really like it there. My brother rents the older half. It was once a single family home that was converted into separate units. My landlord has owned it for at least 30 yrs, but doesn't seem to care about the upkeep, I think he knows he'll sell it eventually and have to do the repairs then. I want to approach him about buying the unit because I'd rather buy than rent from a new property company that will raise prices. I don't think the home has separate water lines running to each unit. Do zoning ordinances typically allow sale of attached units that are not converted into condos?

They do have separate addresses, electric meters, and fenced in yards. I only assume the water lines are still together because he includes water in the cost of rent.

Answer 1

You should be OK. Separate owners for each half is not uncommon. The water lines can be redone, it is not a big deal. You need to find out if the property was legally divided and the tax department will be able to tell you that. As long as it has two separate parcel numbers there is no problem. If there is only one (and one tax bill) the owner needs to get a permit to subdivide what is presently a single lot, even though fenced to look like two.

Answer 2

Before you spend too much effort on this, I'd check with the landlord to see if he is interested in selling. If he seems interested at all, go forth and do some research.

Landlords are typically lax on upkeep with rentals, tenants are hard on rental property and most see it as a waste of money to try to keep the units nice since tenants are going to be rough on them anyway.

Check with your planning and/or zoning department on the zoning. Make sure that whatever conversion was done was properly permitted. In some areas with shared water and sewer, if the property is to change ownership, they are requiring that the units be separated, no cheap date. But that is not the case in all areas, shared water and sewer happens frequently in certain areas and no action to separate them is being made.

If you do decide to buy, get an idea what the property is worth. An appraisal would be a great place to start, but that could cost around $500. You can try some of the online value calculators, but their accuracy is spotty. And if you do move forward with an offer to purchase, make your offer contigent upon you approving a home inspection. If the landlord has been lax on upkeep, you don't want to purchase his problems.

Answer 3

In the state of Pa in order for a home to be seperated in must have had seperate electrical meters water meters etc. If seperated or converted they can not be converted back into a single unit. If you have a chance called the codes dept and or fire prevention if you have one. I know for a fact here one can't sell a home as two units without splitting meters and it's illegal. If he were to sell it it most likely would have to be as a whole house which then would take into consideration square footage.

Answer 4

You will need to check the laws of your state and municipality. Where I am located, such sales are not possible unless you can obtain what is called 'zero lot line zoning'. (One side of the property does not meet the lot line setback requirements).

Further, there are construction requirements involved, including a full fire wall from floor to ceiling dividing the two separate units. Be cautious in your approach. Even though your laws may not require such a firewall, your insurance carrier might require same. Check insurability before you even consider offering to purchase in such a situation.

Answer 5

Yes, its possible. What you will need to do is some research to determine what the current fair market value of the property is. If you're ready to make an offer, it might even be worth paying for a professional appraisal.

Answer 6

while the home may be separated unless it has separate electrical meters and two different addresses its still a single family home