- What I remember from testimony during trial. The certificate of occupancy at the house was for two apartments. The basement apartment had been added later and not inspected. It only had one egress which didn’t meet fire code. One floor, I think the second floor, was not damaged badly by the freeze thaw caused leaks. The other two floors, I think the basement and 1st floor had damage, the walls were not covered and wiring, plumbing was exposed. That meant those two floors were deemed uninhabitable.
The barn did not have a certificate of occupancy plus its septic tank was sized for a barn, not people living there.
- My understanding of code in New Jersey. A home owner can operate as his own contractor and does not need to be licensed. There are repairs that need licensed skilled tradesmen such as electricians and plumbers. However, if the footprint of the building isn’t being changed and the appliances are going back to the same spots, such as bathroom and kitchen renovations, then those don’t require permits or licensed skilled tradesmen. Workers can be hired by the owner and there is a name for them-home or house employee, similar to the building maintenance man or handyman.
The basement would need a new door to the outside and that would have to be permitted.
- Tenants can do the renovation themselves and have it deducted from the work.
Here is a link to an explanation of New Jersey tenant law. https://ipropertymanagement.com/laws/new-jersey-landlord-tenant-rights#:~:text=In%20New%20Jersey%2C%20landlords%20must%20provide%20a%20habitable,deduct%20the%20cost%20from%20the%20following%20month’s%20rent.
Here is a list of items that must be permitted in Morris Township New Jersey. https://www.morristwp.com/DocumentCenter/View/8796/REQUIREMENTS-FOR-CCO-INSPECTION-12821
