how to legally rent a basement apt (apartments, rental)

[jcguy]

Hi ,
I bought a 2-family house in jersey city(jersey heights area) which had 2 tenants - one in the basement & one on the 2nd floor, the owner lived on 1st floor. Now i am hearing that it is illegal to rent basement apartment although i see many houses in the neighborhood doing so. I had factored in rental income for paying my mortgage while considering to buy this property. So now i am wondering if there is a way to legally rent basement apartment ?
The basement apartment has a seperate entrance from outside as well as one from the garage & it has 1 window in each room.
Thanks for your help.

[Sergio M]

I am not allowed to give legal advice, let alone illegal advice.

[Informed Info]

Originally Posted by jcguy

Hi ,
I bought a 2-family house in jersey city(jersey heights area) which had 2 tenants - one in the basement & one on the 2nd floor, the owner lived on 1st floor. Now i am hearing that it is illegal to rent basement apartment although i see many houses in the neighborhood doing so. I had factored in rental income for paying my mortgage while considering to buy this property. So now i am wondering if there is a way to legally rent basement apartment ?
The basement apartment has a seperate entrance from outside as well as one from the garage & it has 1 window in each room.
Thanks for your help.

Call up the city and find out what constitutes a "legal" basement apt and what does not.

It's the only way you'll know.

[Marc Paolella]

Call the zoning officer for the city. NOT THE TAX ASSESSOR. There are hundreds of homes that have illegal apartments in the Heights. The windows are not your issue. Zoning is the issue. Many homes are taxed as 3 unit homes even though the extra apartment in the basement or attic is illegal. The tax assessor doesn't care, but the zoning department does. And so will your mortgage company. And so will your insurance company. And often, so will your neighbors who will rat you out if you rent illegal accessory units.

So call the zoning department and call your lawyer. It may be likely that you will not be buying this home if you need that third income.