Aloha everyone!! How can I find out if my ohana is legal or not? If it is, and gets found out, could I be evicted?
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Originally posted by turtlegirl View PostAloha everyone!! How can I find out if my ohana is legal or not? If it is, and gets found out, could I be evicted?
I ran anille, uh, an 'unregistered' rental for years, and so do plenty folks around me. No waves.
Like what? You want these people live on the street?
1. Don't worry.
2. Claim ignorance.
3. Don't mention my name.
AnonymousBe Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!~ ~KaʻonohiʻulaʻokahōkūmiomioʻehikuSpreading the virus of ALOHA.Oh Chu. If only you could have seen what I've seen, with your eyes.
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Originally posted by turtlegirl View PostAloha everyone!! How can I find out if my ohana is legal or not? If it is, and gets found out, could I be evicted?
If there is an upset neighbor who called in to complain, the wheels might already be in motion and you not even know about it .... yet. Meanwhile, you can pretty much guess if it is legal or not by knowing the various rules for yourself.Now run along and play, but don’t get into trouble.
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
you can also check the tax map info for your property address here:
http://www.honolulupropertytax.com/Main/Home.aspx
I did this for myself when I moved into an "ohana" unit a couple of years ago. Another way to tell is if you have a full kitchen with stove, refrig and sink. Illegal units tend to have only a hot plate and small refrig. I've been told that way they don't have to pay property taxes.
Good luck."Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be."
– Sydney J. Harris
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Another possible sign of an illegal rental is when "all utilities are included" with the monthly rent. Prospective tenants are often attracted to this proposition, but they should realize that the landlord might be offering this deal in order to conceal illegal residents from the utility companies.This post may contain an opinion that may conflict with your opinion. Do not take it personal. Polite discussion of difference of opinion is welcome.
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Originally posted by anapuni808 View Postyou can also check the tax map info for your property address here:
http://www.honolulupropertytax.com/Main/Home.aspx
I did this for myself when I moved into an "ohana" unit a couple of years ago. Another way to tell is if you have a full kitchen with stove, refrig and sink. Illegal units tend to have only a hot plate and small refrig. I've been told that way they don't have to pay property taxes.
Good luck.
The URL anapuni808 suggested is a great way to tell exactly who owns the property, and what is permitted on it. All permitted structures should be listed there.Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Excellent link Anapuni! And yep, SG is right, my landlady has become paranoid in her old age...
Sooooo, according to common definitions of illegal ohana, Im pretty sure it is, utilities included, full kitchen, not allowed to recieve mail here, etc. However, the property sketch on record shows that my addition is part of the house. Im still confused!~ This is the strangest life I've ever known ~
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Originally posted by SusieMisajon View PostWho cares all long as the rent is reasonable?
If you're thinking about renting a unit that is questionable, know what you're getting yourself into before moving in. Especially be on the lookout for inadequate means of egress, as well as illegal gas, electrical, and plumbing work. These could all be deadly fire hazards.
Case in point: The Makiki house fire of two years ago which left two people dead.
Fleur says she, her daughter and granddaughter were able to escape -- but two people did not.
"Somebody possibly could have had a hard time getting out? Oh yeah - yeah," said former tenant Rick Smith, who lived in the home for two years before moving out eight months ago.
According to city records, the homeowner was issued several violations, including one for an illegal duplex, another for doing work without a permit and most recently in September 2007 for having more than five unrelated people occupying the house with a building partition.This post may contain an opinion that may conflict with your opinion. Do not take it personal. Polite discussion of difference of opinion is welcome.
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Originally posted by turtlegirl View PostExcellent link Anapuni! And yep, SG is right, my landlady has become paranoid in her old age...
Sooooo, according to common definitions of illegal ohana, Im pretty sure it is, utilities included, full kitchen, not allowed to recieve mail here, etc. However, the property sketch on record shows that my addition is part of the house. Im still confused!
Assuming the place is safe, as FM points out, can you and LL enter into an "agreement" that you are her "live-in caretaker"? Just a thought...
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
TG - my unit is a converted garage studio apt. I have a full kitchen, utilities are included. My unit is legal however - their were permits applied for to build the unit and it is included on property tax records. I can get mail here but use the same address as my landlord because there is only 1 mailbox. My landlord had his mtge re-financed last year and the appraiser did come into my unit so it is part of the banks loan records.
I was told when I was looking for apts that if a "ohana" unit has full facilities it increases the owners property tax - that seems to be why many don't furnish anything more than a hotplate to tenants. Refrig is legal in a unit - if there is a regular stove, then it is considered a full rental unit therefore the taxes are increased."Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be."
– Sydney J. Harris
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Originally posted by anapuni808 View PostTG - my unit is a converted garage studio apt. I have a full kitchen, utilities are included. My unit is legal however - their were permits applied for to build the unit and it is included on property tax records. I can get mail here but use the same address as my landlord because there is only 1 mailbox. My landlord had his mtge re-financed last year and the appraiser did come into my unit so it is part of the banks loan records.
I was told when I was looking for apts that if a "ohana" unit has full facilities it increases the owners property tax - that seems to be why many don't furnish anything more than a hotplate to tenants. Refrig is legal in a unit - if there is a regular stove, then it is considered a full rental unit therefore the taxes are increased.Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Craig, all the checking & verifying was done before I moved in 2 1/2 yrs ago.
and this thread isn't about my unit, its about TG's and she is concerned about her home. I don't blame her - facing possible eviction from an illegal unit is not a small thing. So, lets all get back to helping her out ok?"Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be."
– Sydney J. Harris
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Re: could my apt be illegal?
Originally posted by tutusue View PostAssuming the place is safe, as FM points out, can you and LL enter into an "agreement" that you are her "live-in caretaker"? Just a thought...
Perhaps becoming a "roommate" would work out?Now run along and play, but don’t get into trouble.
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