What makes an apartment illegal in NY?

When an apartment is illegal, the space should not be used to live in, a landlord or owner can’t collect rent. The apartment has no inside plumbing, bathroom or cooking places or the bathroom or kitchen facilities are separated, like if the toilet and the shower/bath are in different rooms.

What are legal bedroom requirements NYC?

For a bedroom to be considered legal in NYC, it must satisfy the following requirements:

• Be a minimum of 80 square feet.
• Have a minimum width of 8 feet in any dimension.
• Have a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet.
• At least one window measuring no less than twelve square feet.

Can an apartment not have windows?

If a room is intended to be used as a bedroom, it needs to have at least one window. This means that you cannot legally include a windowless room in the bedroom count while advertising the property. That said, the legal requirements for a room to be considered a bedroom vary depending on where you live.

What happens if you rent an illegal apartment in NYC?

But because people renting under-the-radar basement apartments have no lease and risk being ordered by the city to move out if they call 311 to report an issue, many times there is little they can do. Landlords face fines of up to $15,000 if they are caught renting illegal space.

How do I report an illegal apartment in NYC?

Report illegal conversion of a residential space. To report construction without a permit or against approved plans, go to the Building Construction Complaint page.

Can you rent a room without windows?

DEAR DEDRA: The lack of a closet is not a legal issue, but it is definitely illegal for a bedroom to have no window. Chapter 3 of the International Residential Code requires that a room used for sleeping purposes have a window for light, ventilation and emergency escape.

Does habitable space require a window?

Every habitable space shall have at least one openable window.

Can a bedroom have no windows NYC?

The minimum bedroom dimensions in NYC are 8 feet in any dimension with a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet. A legal bedroom in NYC must have a minimum square footage of 80 feet. It must also have at least one window measuring no less than twelve square feet.

Can you have a bedroom without a window in an apartment?

Technically, a bedroom must have two means of egress, so a second door will suffice, but it must open to the outside, which makes the exterior door a less practical solution. Not any window will do. New construction requirements state that smoke alarms must be placed within each bedroom and outside of each bedroom.

Can I sue my landlord for renting an illegal apartment NYC?

“If you voluntarily pay rent in an illegal apartment, you cannot get it back. However, you might have grounds to sue your landlord, if you can prove that they misrepresented the apartment as legit when they knew, in fact, it was not.

Can you be evicted from an illegal apartment NYC?

Illegal occupancies abound here in NYC, especially in Queens and Brooklyn. That being said, if you are a landlord and want to evict a tenant but not sure because you have someone living in an illegal basement, the answer is that you can.

What does illegal conversion mean?

What is an Illegal Conversion. Converting a space, building, or portion of a building to a non-approved or permitted use may be considered an illegal conversion. Usually illegal conversions involve code violations, or zoning violations and/or “Health and Safety” issues.

What makes a window a legal bedroom in NYC?

The window cannot be a lot-line window. The window must open onto a street, yard or court on the same lot. You should also know that a bedroom in NYC is NOT required to have a closet for it to be considered a legal bedroom.

Are all apartments legal in New York City?

Not all apartments in New York are legal. New York City zones buildings to be residential or commercial and there are laws dictating specifications for bedroom size, heat, gas, water, and sanitation issues. So what makes an apartment illegal?

What are the minimum dimensions of a legal bedroom in NYC?

The minimum bedroom dimensions in NYC are 8 feet in any dimension with a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet. A legal bedroom in NYC must have a minimum square footage of 80 feet.

What are the rules for a basement apartment with a window?

“Every sleeping room in a basement apartment must have an egress window or door opening to the outside. The window sill can’t be more than three feet above the floor and the window should be at least 30 inches tall by 24 inches wide,” says Leitch.