Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New York
I purchased a 3 family building a while ago. I had to obtain a registration # to evict someone and was told to get a letter of no objection from the NYC Building Deparment. The Building Department won't give me a letter of no objection because they said it's a two family. I spoke to my architect and he told me it could be "very expensive" to convert it to a three family. Do I have cause against the people I bought the house from or anyone else? Is this kind of thing covered by title insurance?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Get to a real estate lawyer asap. There is a lot of money at stake here-the legal fees could be paid in a few months' rent. The atty may sue the Title Co and the buyer and take 1/3 instead of having you pay or use a split-retainer (paid by the hour but if she wins the case, refunds the money and takes a third-40%). She shouold send out a settlement letter(s) first to avoid the cost and long time of a suit.