Navigating ‘Lower Floor Consent’ in NYC Renovations: Disputes and Solutions
Homeowner Ms. Huang was thrilled to purchase a pre-owned apartment in the heart of New York City. She planned to convert the existing two-bedroom layout into a three-bedroom unit, adding a master bathroom to create her dream suite. Believing this was solely an ‘interior matter’ and that proper waterproofing would suffice, she received assurances from her contractor: ‘No problem, leave it to us!’However, when they submitted the application for interior renovation permits to the Department of Buildings, the request was immediately rejected. The reason cited: ‘According to the NYC Department of Buildings’ regulations for interior renovation review and inspection, any addition or alteration to bathrooms or kitchens that involves changes to floor structures or plumbing requires the submission of a…