I Think I Messed Up...Adding Bedrooms...Not Pulling Permits

[Steve DellaPelle]

I think I messed up....

My attic used to be 2 units back in the day, split between the left side and the right side. There was a fire back in the 80's and it hasn't been finished since...

I decided I wanted to use this space to add bedrooms (instead of making them additional units)...I have gone ahead withmy handyman to finish it up and add the bedrooms. We are only about 35% done.

HOWEVER, I am only zoned a total of 8 bedrooms and this would increase my total to 12 bedrooms. (Adding two bedrooms on each side of the attic).

I did not go through the permit process to do this and I am now starting to regret the decision. Should I just stop all the work right now? I assumed that I could get through this and figure it out at the end.

Please help lol

[Jonathan Klemm]

@Steve DellaPelle - I don't know what the laws are in Haverhill, but in Chicago there are tons of non-conforming units.  The biggest problem with a non-conforming units is that when you go to sell it you won't be able to list those as additional bedrooms.  But as long as you have the property as a buy and hold you can still capitalize on the extra cash flow.

I say finish the job and get some extra income coming in.

*Also it does not really sound like you have a permit issue as much as a zoning issue.  I am sure you could apply for a permit but would get denied when the zoning board reviews it.