Worried about apartment inspection

I am new to this forum, and am hoping that my fellow LI'ers can get me some reliable information because surprisingly, the internet has been of little help.

I own a home in Nassau county. Like many, it has an apartment (not legal) and I have been renting it without incident for 9 years. Because of a recent run in with some bad neighbors, they turned me into the county for the apartment, despite the fact that my tenants (for the past 8 years) are quiet and not disruptive.

Graciously, my tenants understood the situation and moved out.

Since then, I have removed the kitchen appliances (stove and fridge) and also removed the kitchen sink.

I have a pending inspection coming at the end of February and have some concerns. What will the inspector be looking for? There is no separation between the apartment area and the main house (a previously locked door is now open allowing unrestricted access) no kitchen. 2 entrances.

Is the inspector allowed to look in cabinets, closets? Will it matter if anyone is living there? My son, when he is home from college lives in that part of the house, and I don't feel like that should matter.

My other concern is the living room of the apartment. It's a converted garage, and was like that when I bought the house. I am not certain if it is legal but am in the process of finding out. If it is in fact not legal, are they going to flag me for it? Right now I cannot afford to spend the money to legalize it, or to convert it back to a garage.

I just want to pass the inspection without incident, and then I can do things at my own pace rather than be forced to in a time frame that I cannot manage, and I don't know how thorough they are when checking for an illegal apartment.

Anyone who has been through this, please help! Any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated.

Worried about apartment inspection

Do you have a copy of the survey with your mortgage? It should indicate whether there is a CO for the garage conversion.

As far as the inspection is concerned (However, I live in Brookhaven in Suffolk), in my experience they will not open cabinets or closets, they will just inspect to make sure the kitchen area is removed. In Brookhaven, however, you need a demolition permit in order to remove the kitchen cabinets and appliances. (just another way to suck money from you.) If they ask, I would just say you are now using that part of the house as your own.

Message edited 1/18/2016 2:00:12 PM.

Worried about apartment inspection

I have to look thru my paperwork.

From what I am reading, it appears most lenders will not approve a mortgage if there is any kind of illegal conversion/extension on the house. So I am thinking I would not have gotten the mortgage if it wasn't legal. Again, I am in the process of finding out, just don't know yet.

Thanks for your response, i appreciate the info.

Message edited 1/18/2016 2:04:42 PM.

Worried about apartment inspection

You would assume that was the case. But I know here in Brookhaven they have approved mortgages without CO's for sheds and decks. SO you really never know. I think Nassau is a bit more strict with that stuff though. Hope it works out for you.

Worried about apartment inspection

Thanks.

I just hope they come in and see the kitchen doesn't exist and just leave it at that.

My sister had a similar problem and all she did was take out the stove, they came in saw no stove and that was it. But, she's in Suffolk county as well.

Message edited 1/18/2016 2:29:59 PM.

Worried about apartment inspection

When I was a kid we had an extra kitchen in our basement where my older sister and her husband lived. When the town came, my dad covered the stove with a blanket and they walked right by it. It was so weird. I guess back then it was less of a big deal.

Message edited 1/18/2016 2:55:26 PM.

Re: Worried about apartment inspection

Our apartment and tenant is in Suffolk but we've been through the process. I will say that the biggies they look for are smoke detectors and CO2 detectors. I can't comment on the kitchen or conversion. But it's not a one shot deal, no worries. The inspector will tell you what is needed to change and will come back.

Perhaps contact the town and ask for a copy of the legal guidelines and requirements for accessory apartments?

Good luck!

Worried about apartment inspection

Thanks for the info.

If I can just get past the inspection and get things straight on my own time it would be great. Guess it depends on the mood of the inspector. I hope he's having a good day when he comes to my house.

Re: Worried about apartment inspection

The main thing would be that the kitchen is removed.

Also, it wouldn't matter if your son lives down there when he's back. You're allowed to have a direct family member live in a "apartment".

Re: Worried about apartment inspection

Yea, that's already out and won't be gong back...so no kitchen to worry about.

Still waiting on info about the converted garage, I hope that's not going to be a problem. It was that way when I bought the place, and I know mortgage brokers don't like to approve loans on houses with illegal improvements. I just can't remember that far back.

Re: Worried about apartment inspection

Your issue will be if the garage conversion was done illegally. If it was you will need to rectify that most likely. Even though the "apartment" is gone since you took out the kitchen, they will need the living space to be made legal. Hopefully the previous owners did it the right way. Good luck!!