renting an illegal unit

[Lynn Y.]

I am interested to buy a multi-family property.  It is a 2 unit in city's record; but the provious made it a three units.  The property worth much more if I can rent it as three units; other than two.  And city has been really tough on granting more units in this area based on past experience.

I was advised to put a kitchennete instead of a full kitchen in the illegal unit, so it is not a "unit"; I was also told to sign a joint lease with 2nd floor - that this is a "roommate" situation"; I was also told to just to sign a lease on 3rd unit but let the tenant know/clear that this is a illegally unit and he/she willingly chose to live their.

Any ideas?  Bottom line: I wan to rent the 3rd unit space without legal trouble down the road hopefully both with city and with tenant.

Many thanks.