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Updated about 3 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

51
Posts
18
Votes
Jordan Gerkin
  • Investor
  • Midwest & San Francisco
18
Votes |
51
Posts

Buying 2-Flat w/ Not Legal Finished Basement

Jordan Gerkin
  • Investor
  • Midwest & San Francisco
Posted

Hey All! 

Curious if anyone has insight or experience with buying a 2-Flat property in Chicago with a finished basement that is not technically a legal unit. My plan would be to live in the basement unit and rent out the other two legal units. I’m just worried on how likely it would be if the city were to find out and me be fined and then required to deconvert the basement to a non livable plan basement. 

Thanks for any input! 

  • Jordan Gerkin
  • Most Popular Reply

    User Stats

    6,058
    Posts
    5,101
    Votes
    John Warren
    • Real Estate Broker
    • 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546
    5,101
    Votes |
    6,058
    Posts
    John Warren
    • Real Estate Broker
    • 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546
    Replied

    @Jordan Gerkin welcome to the forums! This is one of the biggest gray areas in Chicago. The amount of "bonus" units is incredible honestly. You living in the bonus unit is probably the safest way to do this if you think it isn't a legal space. If you really want to know if the unit is legal, just get the zoning cert from the city which will describe how many units there are. 

  • John Warren
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