[csolan1951]

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.

[ScottGem]

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.