Haven't you watched Income Property in HGTV? It's super easy.

Anyone have any commentary on establishing a roommate and a roommate agreement as an alternative?

Hi There,

I'm now in the same shoes you were in about a year ago. I'm wondering what you learned about converting a one-family to a two-family. Any advice for someone looking to do the same thing with a row home in DTJC?

Thanks!

I don't intend to screw around. I just wanted to see if anyone has done this before or had any tips.

Thanks for the attorney recs.

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Assume it is. Look, don't screw around if you're serious. Lawyer up like you've been advised. Another name you see all the time in the published agendas is Charles Harrington Esq. There's a small "buildings" bar in JC, use one of them, not some guy who says "sure, I can do that". You wouldn't let a podiatrist do your eye surgery, and dealing with the JC bureaucracy s exactly like poking needles in your eyes.

I guess my basic question, then, is this--

Is changing the CoO a big, expensive Jersey City style hassle?

Thanks again for the pointers!

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R1 is 2 family, so I wonder if a variance is actually needed, rather than just a change of CoO. But you're right about the response if neighbors have a say. This is exactly the issue with why young people can't find small rentals in the suburban towns they grew up in. There are none.

If you'd need a zoning variance I would imagine your neighbors might oppose it-added density means more cars competing for parking (both your tenant and his/her guests), more traffic, noise, etc.

From a few basic internet searches, I understand that 2 fam to 3 fam conversion are really challenging.

I wonder if a 1 fam to 2 family, owner occupied conversion has the same challenges, though.

On the surface, $5K in fees feels cheap when considering the long-term rental income potential.

My wife and I started the process of converting a 2 family to 3 family ? it can be daunting. Ultimately we stopped because of the up front financial strain. As Jersey City goes, you will need to get a lawyer. The zoning board advised us that trying to do this on our own would be "difficult".

Eugene O'Connell is a local lawyer which was recommended to us -- the fees, all in with his time and such totaled up to almost 5k ? he has worked with the board many, many times ? this will be your best bet.

All the best ? it's certainly a worth while task to take on.

Thanks for the responses. This basement seems very appropriate for conversion to an apartment-- necessary doors and large windows for egress, high ceiling height, etc.

I have learned that the area is an R1A zone, which was created to protect historic large lot sizes from developers who tear them down to create more multi-family dwellings. I wonder if creating a (legal, appropriate) basement apartment would be considered similarly against R1A zoning standards. Anybody with experience here?

Again, thanks.

A lot of will depend on what you mean by 'basement.' Is it fully below ground level? If so, it's pretty unlikely that you'd meet code requirements for proper egress. I think the ceiling height also comes into play.

You have to go to the building and zoning departments to see if it allowed. It must meet the fire code as well. Call the Mayor's office (201) 547-4900 or the city's operator (201) 547-5000 to connect you to various departments. This will also change the tax status as well.

My family is considering buying a rather large one-family house and (properly and legally) fitting out the basement to be a rental apartment. The home is currently a legal one-family, though, and we wonder if converting to a 2-family is possible or advisable.

Any JCListers done this? If so, where do we start? A city agency?

Thanks in advance!