As a homeowner, it’s important to be aware of the potential violations that can occur in your home – and that includes the basement. In New York, some of the most common basement violations include lack of proper ventilation, illegal bedrooms, and inadequate light and headroom. While these may seem minor, they can result in expensive fines from the city. If you are looking to sell your house, any existing or open violations can cause significant delays or reduce the value of the property.
Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can take to clear these violations and avoid any costly penalties.
Basement Ventilation
Ventilation requirements in New York City vary depending on the type of occupancy, but all dwellings must have some form of ventilation. The most common way to provide ventilation is through the use of an exhaust fan. If your basement does not have an exhaust fan, you may be able to install one yourself or hire a professional to do so. However, if you live in an apartment building, you will need to get permission from your landlord before making any changes to the ventilation system.
Extra bedroom in basement
Another common violation occurs when homeowners try to convert their basement into an extra bedroom. In order to be legally considered a bedroom, a space must have at least 70 square feet of floor area and 7 feet of ceiling height. Additionally, the room must have a window that can be used for emergency egress. If your basement doesn’t meet these requirements, you’ll need to make some changes before you can rent it out or use it as a bedroom.
Basement lighting and headroom
Finally, all habitable rooms in a dwelling must have an adequate source of natural light and headroom. Headroom is defined as the vertical distance between the floor and the lowest point on the ceiling (not including beams or other obstructions). A room must have at least 5 feet of headroom in order to be considered habitable. If your basement doesn’t meet these requirements, you may need to dig out part of the foundation in order to create more headroom or install larger windows to let in more natural light.
Basement violations can result in expensive fines from the city. However, by taking a few simple steps, you can clear these violations and avoid any penalties. Be sure to properly ventilate your basement, get permission from your landlord before making any changes to the ventilation system, and make sure the space has adequate light and headroom. By following these guidelines, you can keep your basement up to code and avoid any costly fines.
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