Legal accessory apartment (Babylon, Huntington: apartments, renting, house)

[EowynofRohan]

Is the owner of a house with a legal accessory apartment supposed to live in the main part of home? Or can both areas be legally rented?
I am trying o figure out the difference with a legal 2 family and a legal accessory apartment. Are the taxes cheaper for one over the other?

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by EowynofRohan

Is the owner of a house with a legal accessory apartment supposed to live in the main part of home? Or can both areas be legally rented?
I am trying o figure out the difference with a legal 2 family and a legal accessory apartment. Are the taxes cheaper for one over the other?

A house with an accessory apartment MUST be owner occupied.
A "legal 2" does NOT.
FYI, different Towns use the term "legal 2" differently. For example: In the Town of Huntington, a "legal 2" means two legal apartments which can be rented independently without the owner living in one. In the Town of Babylon, "legal 2" means "legal accessory apartment" vs. "legal 2 by CO", which does not need to be owner occupied

Learned that years ago when I was showing what I thought were great investment properties until I was ready to make an offer on a couple, did more in-depth research - only to find out the difference! Nothing like first hand experience to teach you quickly

[EowynofRohan]

Thank you o much. Cleared up my question.

[tonygirl0203]

if there are 2 seperate apartments in the same house and both use the front door to gain access to their seperate apartment should that door remain locked at all times

[tonygirl0203]

the one tenant always leaves the front door unlocked for their constant company to come and go as they please i live on the main floor and they live on the second floor so by leaving the door unlocked i have to worry about someone just walking in and breaking in to my apt and i have small children as well i have complained to the landlord and nothing works i have even locked the door numerous times after their company leaves only to have to listen to the banging of the front door all hours of the night and then listen to them curse upon them being let in by the other tenant, i have been here 12 years and i shouldnt have to live like this i need to find out about the door being locked so i can print it out leave them a copy in their mailbox and also post one one the door and give one to the landlord as well thank you any information will be greatly appreciated

[Allanya]

I have a related accessory apartment question. I'm getting older, my kid has gone off to college and is unlikely to move back to LI when he's done school next year. As it happens, the apartment is coming empty Sept.1. I'm thinking about moving in to my (legal) accessory apartment and renting out the main part of the house. Is that legal under Huntington rules? I too am reluctant to ask the town for this info. Thanks if you know.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by Allanya

I have a related accessory apartment question. I'm getting older, my kid has gone off to college and is unlikely to move back to LI when he's done school next year. As it happens, the apartment is coming empty Sept.1. I'm thinking about moving in to my (legal) accessory apartment and renting out the main part of the house. Is that legal under Huntington rules? I too am reluctant to ask the town for this info. Thanks if you know.

Most likely not, as the permit is for the portion of the house that is inspected annually, but I have someone else who wants to do that and I will be calling the Town Monday or Tuesday and will report back!