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bella321
Blessed!
Member since 3/09 1952 total posts
Name:
Kristy
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"Bedroom" definition
DH and I are talking about framing out part of our unfinished basement as a guest room. The room would have a window (tiny basement one), a closet and be about 12x12. Down the road, when we sell, would count as an additional bedroom?
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Posted 3/4/17 10:24 AM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
A bedroom must have a window, door, closet, and at least four walls. You must be able to open said window to allow a person to be able to escape through it as well. Should you choose to market the house with this additional bedroom, please have it permitted.
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| Posted 3/4/17 10:47 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
You need a CO. You can't just call it a bedroom. And would get an inspection about the window. I doubt those tiny windows are to code for a bedroom. But even if they were you can't just create living space "legally" without a CO.
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| Posted 3/4/17 5:47 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
Maybe for a REA, but for the town, they count any room that can be used as a bedroom, as a bedroom. Especially in regard to septic systems. According to the town of Islip, 4 of my "bedrooms" don't have closets, but you could easily but a dresser or cabinet in there, and have a fully functional bedroom.
Our septic system had to be designed to handle 7 bedrooms (with potentially 4 people per bedroom), even though I only have 3 "bedrooms" with closets, and that are being used as actual bedrooms.
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| Posted 3/5/17 1:19 AM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
We have a finished basement with a half bath and a bedroom that can't be called a bedroom. We bought the house with this "bedroom", which has a small window and a closet, as well as four walls and a door. We were told it can't technically be called a bedroom (it wasn't when we bought the house) because it's in a basement.
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| Posted 3/5/17 9:45 AM |
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
A basement room can never be a legal bedroom. Bedrooms need to be above grade. Period.
Even if you have a C/O for the finished basement, it won't count as a bedroom for when you list the house. You can describe the basement as having a guest room, but you can't list it as a 4 bedroom house instead of 3 (or a 5 bedroom instead of 4, etc.).
For above grade level rooms, then yes, there technically needs to be a closet and a window to count as a bedroom. However, there's a bit of leeway on this. I've seen capes (like, Levitts, for example) where upstairs bedrooms don't have closets, just crawl space in the eaves. They will still list those rooms as bedrooms.
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| Posted 3/5/17 5:01 PM |
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cityandbeachmom
Vineyard hopping time
Member since 6/10 1821 total posts
Name:
Suffer the pain of discipline,
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
Sounds more like a storage room, or at least the way it would be described in a listing...how you have chosen to use it vs how you list it are two different things but I am sure your REA could clarify any questions.
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| Posted 3/14/17 1:23 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
You need an egress window for any living space in a basement to.be considered "legal"
Message edited 3/14/2017 11:09:08 PM.
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| Posted 3/14/17 11:07 PM |
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
Posted by NervousNell
You need an egress window for any living space in a basement to.be considered "legal"
Yes for a finished basement to be properly done and with C/Os.
But you can never list a below grade space as a bedroom, even if the basement is legally finished with proper egress.
Also, we never include below-grade living space in the interior property square footage, even if it's a legally finishede basement.
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| Posted 3/15/17 10:23 AM |
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onlylisa
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/09 740 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
I live in a raised ranch and the lower level is about three feet below grade. The room has large windows and a closet. Could I call this a bedroom?
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| Posted 3/23/17 7:53 PM |
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Re: "Bedroom" definition
Posted by onlylisa
I live in a raised ranch and the lower level is about three feet below grade. The room has large windows and a closet. Could I call this a bedroom?
Yes a first floor of a hi ranch or raised ranch is usually above grade with a legal bedroom.
I've seem some splits or raised ranches that have a first floor that is partially below grade. If it's mostly above grade (more than 50 percent), I believe that it counts as a first floor, for appraisal purposes at least.
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| Posted 3/26/17 9:40 AM |
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