Many landlords do garage conversions without approval
Q: The studio apartment that I’m renting is a converted garage. Is there any way to know if this conversion meets code and was approved by the city? — Melissa
A: If the garage conversion was approved by the city, there should be a building permit on record and available to the public upon request. You can go to the city building department and ask for a permit history of the property, but don’t be surprised if there is no permit for the conversion. Most people who convert their garages into additional living space do so without municipal approval. In most of these cases, code violations occur, but those violations do not necessarily make the unit uninhabitable. However, here is a list of safety-related requirements that would be of primary concern:
1. A smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm should be installed and in functional condition.
2. There should be an emergency exit from the sleeping room to the exterior. If that exit is a window, it should comply with minimum size requirements. The sill should be no higher than 44 inches above the floor, the openable portion of the window should be at least 5.7 square feet, and the opening should be at least 24 inches wide and at least 20 inches high.
3. There should be openable windows of sufficient size to meet minimum requirements for natural light and ventilation.
4. Outlets near sinks should be equipped with GFCI to prevent shocks.
5. Outlets should be grounded, and there should be a sufficient number of outlets so that you don’t have to use extension cords for fixtures and appliances.
Distributed by Action Coast Publishing. To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com.