Bought an illegal 2-family unknowingly

[Justin Swann]

I bought a forclosure which was listed as a 2 family. The house is in a nice residential neighborhood, but in a town which has a large rental market on the opposite side of town.It has all the aspects of a 2 family: 2 electric meters, 2 separate entrances, 2 house numbers/mailboxes.There is a kitchen, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms in each unit. The units are separated by a wall, although there is a door which can be opened (imagine a hotel room) which we will keep locked.  This passageway is what concerned the inspector. I'll seal the opening if need be. I'm not concerned with the apartments not being separate (as they fit the description of a multi-family), I'm more concerned of the zoning laws in that part of town.

We are converting from oil to natural gas and had an inspector come in to sign off on the install of the gas heaters in order to get 2 meters from the gas company to have heat/hot water. The inspector won't sign off on permit and is saying it is an in-law suite and not a rentable 2 family. Zoning is coming out to look at the house. I'm waiting to hear his disposition and very concerned right now. I'll reach out to my attorney if they say it can't be rented.

I'm getting ahead of myself here, but has anyone else bought a (forclosure) house listed as a deeded multi but can not rent it due to zoning?

[Mike McCarthy]

Don’t stress out too much yet. It sounds like since it’s been used as a 2 family ‘forever’ and is electric metered as such, it’s not like you are changing the use.

Some building/zoning departments will work with you to do what’s right and just, so you may not have any issue. It also sounds like you’re not in a city, so you have that going for you too.

see what the zoning person has to say. There will probably be some paperwork and letters and such, but hopefully something that is easily resolved.