Thread: Hi glad to have found a site that could help me.. tyvm

I need help badly on a dwelling unit located in Chicago, IL

A geneal contractor has told me: If a rental dwelling unit is under 800 sq feet it only needs one doorway to be used as both an entrance and an exit out of the dwelling unit. but when they exit the dwelling unit they need two exits out of the building.

I always thought you needed 2 exits out of the unit.

I appreciate all responses, I Have not been able to get a response from the city or any help on the internet..

Thank you very much
Carmen Flores

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The 800 sq.ft. rule is correct. A DU under 800 sqft only needs one egress from the unit. As far as egress from the building that is another matter. Number of egress from the building is base on building type, occupancy classificationabove/below grade status and travel distance from unit to exterior egress.
Depending on such factors you may or may not need more than one exit from the building.

I shoud explain the whole scenary to be understood better. I don't want to be ripped off by this general contractor..

I have been considering The building as a 3 fllat rental with a basement.

The basement in total is as large as the whole building (25 X 125) with 8 ft. ceilings. sectioned off in like storage rooms.

towards the front entrance there is a section that has 1 room with plumbing and piping for a kitchen, one room like a dining room, 1 closet, and one room with all the plumbing for a bathroom. this whole unit is under 800 sq ft.with 8 feet ceillings, 2 windows above ground level. it has only one entrance into that unit.. about 6 ft away from this one entrance is the front entrance to the building, about 12 ft away is another door that is boarded up shut tight. in the end of this basement there is another entrance that leads to an enclosed porch, and then to another door that leads to the back yard of the building.

The general contractor is telling me:
1) if the side door that is shut tight is opened, the front unit could be fixed up and it would be a legal rental unit.

2) if all the small storage rooms are opened up it coulld be converted into a 2 bedroom unit with dining room and living room. it has all the plumbing and piping for a kitchen and a bathroom also..

I have never rented this unit cause I thought it needed two entrances into the front unit..

The genenral contractor said the building is a 4 flat or could easily be a 4 flat with no basement. this basement is considered a first floor because it is not more then 5 ft underground and it has 8 ft. ceilings..

Is this true... please help me I don't want to be ripped off by this contractor i'm 69 years old and have lost alot of money with people fixing my roofs and porches wrong..and by not following city ordinances .

Thank you very much for any and all help I get
God Bless..
Carmen Flores

I sugest that you contact your local Housing Authority. They can tell you what the requirements are, and my even do a walk through for you.

You are not seeking help or assistance. You are seeking free technical and legal advice on a real estate matter involving large expenditure. I believe you are over-reaching what this online forum is intended to provide.
You can contact the Building Dept. and they may be willing to assist you. However, that may expose you to additional unforeseen risk.
I suggest you seek professional counsel in this matter. Either from an attorney or HI experienced in handling occupancy, zoning and construction matters.
Such services cost money. A professionals training and education does not come free. The cost will no doubt be relatively small in relation to a) the potential problems avoided and b) the 50-75K you will most likely spend on such a rehab.

Hi Rick tyvm for responding ..
you must not live in chicago..

it's almost impossible to get anyone from the city to listen to you, answering their phones is against employee policies asking them for help is like talking to a deaf person who do not read lips..

unless they (the city) has inspected your building, when they feel like it, without you asking or your permission, and they find some sort of violation.. that''s when you will here from them.

I went with a friend once.. who got a violation for a loose board on his porch, he had to pay 90.00 for the inspection which he did not ask for, went to a zoo for a court, with no real judge and no due process of the law.. you can't say anything but yes or no..

and yes the city is paid by us the taxpayers..

That's Chicago for you

carmen Flores

Mark tyvm for your answer

I'm sorry my intentions was not to mis-use this forum. but yes that last post was really too much. My primary reason was to find out if that unit was legal..

I appreciate all your advice and the honesty you provided and I will consider it accordingly.

I will not ask for advice here again, you guys have given me the info I needed and where to get it. I thank you very much

Carmen Flores
ps.

now do you know a good consultant or real estate lawyer? just joking