I purchased a 3 unit building in Albany, NY 4 years ago. I bought this house through a real estate agent and had a lawyer at the closing. There was never a indication at the closing or any other time that this building was anything other than a 3 family building. I was contacted by the city of Albany last week stating that the house I own is a legal 2 unit building not a 3 unit building and that I have to notify the tenants to vacate the unit within 21 days. The apartment in question was renovated and generates the most income. I contacted theoriginal broker that listed the property and she states that the building is a 3 unit building. She has listed and sold this building on 2 separate occations as a 3 family house. Doing some research I found out that the tax department has this house on record as a 4 unit building and the building department has it on record as a 2 unit building. The city is going with the building department findings as a 2 unit building. I filed for a building permit for the extra unit, but was told it would be denied and I will have to appeal it and go from there. I don't know how much money this is going to cost to make this a legal 3 family unit and even though I am the owner of this building I don't feel I should be the one that should be responsilble to pay for it. I have already contacted the previous owner, the mayor's office, the attorney generals office and a few assembly members offices with receiving very little advice. I am very willing to do as much of the research as needed, I just need some direction as to how to build a case to find out who would be responsible for selling a building under false pretenses. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
Patty
