I own a 3 family house in New Jersey. I have 2 one-bedroom apartments. I have a 4 bedroom & finished basement on the main floor that I rent as one apartment. There are two couples that share the apartment. Previously, the building inspector came & said the basement was an illegal apartment because of the 4th stove. We went to court & they told us we had to remove the stove which we did. Now the inspector came again & he is saying that it is an illegal apartment again because they had a hot plate & a separate cable bill.The two families share the apartment. The apartments have a front entrance & rear entrance. Why is he saying that this is an illegal apartment? What constitutes an illegal apartment in North Bergen, New Jersey? We only get one rent.

You say they "share" the apartment. But these are two separate families and the inspector is viewing it that they live separately. Hence they are saying it a separate apartment and you only have permission for three apartments.

The inspector's report should list the statute or rule that is being cited to rule it a separate apartment. You can then look that up in your state or local laws.