can i separate two houses on one lot?

dolores90042 · 05:18 AM

I own two houses situated back to back on one lot in Los Angeles, California. Each faces different streets. They have been always taxed as one property. Can I sell just one house and not the other? They both have different addresses. They share the water meter only.

metaylor9 · 11-25-2007, 05:33 AM

If you want to sell both separately you really need to get the land subdivided into two separate lots. I don't know what it is like in LA, but it shouldn't be that hard.

Bigtoe · 11-25-2007, 06:56 AM

Real estate laws are local and each locale is different. Talk to the people at the city planning office and they should be able to point you in the right direction. If you don't like their answer, sometimes they are wrong, talk to some knowledgeable agents about the zoning regulations.

StGeorgeUTproperty · 09:40 AM

Having lived in LA for many years, I do know subdividing is a possibility. Usually making your way through the city red tape will take the longest amount of time. First you have to find out how it is zoned...this neighborhood may have minimum lot size requirements per parcel. If your parcel is large enough, it may fall into the minimum size requirements. Usually this is 7500sqft but you'll have to check with the city etc... Also the lot will have to stand alone, meaning you'll have to give it its own meter etc... Since it faces its own street you wont have any easement issues. Remember, if you are actually able to split them, you will start paying taxes on each parcel-which will likely make your taxes rise considerably. Hope this helps!

chicagoofficespace · 11-27-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StGeorgeUTproperty

Having lived in LA for many years, I do know subdividing is a possibility. Usually making your way through the city red tape will take the longest amount of time. First you have to find out how it is zoned...this neighborhood may have minimum lot size requirements per parcel. If your parcel is large enough, it may fall into the minimum size requirements. Usually this is 7500sqft but you'll have to check with the city etc... Also the lot will have to stand alone, meaning you'll have to give it it's own meter etc... Since it faces it's own street you wont have any easement issues. Remember, if you are actually able to split them, you will start paying taxes on each parcel-which will likely make your taxes rise considerably. Hope this helps!

This is your first step. I would next pick up the phone and find an experienced real estate lawyer that has a specialty in subdivision of property. The experience moving a property through the approval process is worth the cost you will pay. Don't get cheap and think this is a do it yourself project. I have over 25 years experience in real estate and I would not even consider doing this myself.

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