A combined Apartment is combining two or more apartments in the same building into one apartment. The timing doesn't always work, but if a single tenant is living in a building and an adjacent unit becomes available, combining apartments and creating one unit from two units might be possible.

Most property owners want to combine apartments, especially two apartments or two units, to increase their space and make them more desirable to sell or rent. Combining two apartments may also mean they can add amenities like a laundry room or a wet bar.

Combining apartments

Many buildings are seeing requests for combining apartments because combining separate apartments allows an owner to increase the square foot of one unit.

In major urban cities like New York City where living space is a premium, some might look at adjacent units that become available as investment property in order to create one larger apartment thanks to more square footage on the same floor. New York City has more than 1,100 Housing Development Fund Corporation cooperatives. Older buildings, in particular, are attractive because combining apartments might require a gut renovation and construction costs but it might be worth it for the higher resale value.

Depending on the apartment combination, combined units could work if the two units or two apartments are close enough. It's a complicated process and not everyone can make it work. However, if the building allows it, it could be worth exploring the option.

Getting Started

Reviewing a building's alteration agreement could be the first step to see what is possible when it comes to combining two or more units. An alteration agreement is a building's rules and guidelines for any renovation. Even if the municipal code will allow certain changes, building management, a co-op or a condo board might not as agreeable or willing.

Keep in mind, condos and co-op boards are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of all general common elements. Therefore, many condo and co-op boards feel reluctant to allow for many changes within their building. While each apartment is the responsibility of the unit owner, combining apartments means a structural engineer will have to get involved.

If at least one shared wall will need to be demolished, you'll need to consider things like the locations of the two units of load-bearing walls, entrance doors and heating and air conditioning equipment. You'll also need to think about other details like whether to add a bathroom or make other changes.

Why combined apartments?

Combined apartments appeal to many who have the financial wherewithal to make it happen. In some cases, a current property owner may have to find ways to budget for an additional purchase or rely on a cash-out refinance that replaces their current home loan with a bigger mortgage.

The square footage of a combined apartment will be larger than other apartments in a building and often property owners have specific reasons to increase the size of their apartment. In some cases, they want more space for living rooms, they want to change the main entrance of their apartment or they want to add more bedrooms or another bathroom.

If the co-op or building management allows an apartment owner to explore this option, it could be attractive for the property owner and building overall. Co-ops do wield a lot of power, though, so starting with a talk with someone at the co-op level might be a good idea.

Making two apartments into one

Combining apartments is usually easier when the new unit is the result of adjacent apartments. Vertical combinations require a new staircase. On the flipside, horizontal combinations might look like larger units once the two apartments become one combined unit.

Still, while many buildings and condo boards are fielding interest among current owners to expand their living spaces by combining two apartments, it's not always easy. Referencing condominium documents to see what is permitted is the smart thing to do. Even if a municipal building inspector will give the property owner the green light, that adjacent one bedroom may not be able to merge with an existing unit.

How to combine apartments

Before embarking on an apartment combination project, consider apartment combinations. Will you be combining units to add more space, to create a single combination loan or because you want to double the number of bedrooms? For example, combining two, two-bedroom apartments means you'd create a four-bedroom apartment. It's a lot easier to find a studio or one-bedroom apartment in popular neighborhoods like Murray Hill in New York City than a building with a four-bedroom apartment.

While it might be easier to find a larger unit in a Brooklyn condo building, again, more space tends to come with a much higher price tag.

Another thing to consider is what might need to happen to connect two units into one and while the department of buildings might have some specific parameters, for example, an interior stair may need to be added or load-bearing walls need to remain intact.

When a combined apartment works

If management or a co-op board allows combining apartments in their building, it could be beneficial for the property owner and building. Sometimes it's even worth renting a place rather than buying if it means more living space. It pays to do the numbers to see what makes the most sense for your circumstances.

Residents who love living in their units tend to make good neighbors who will take care of their apartments. It's worth checking to see if that's an option with management or the board before purchasing or renting a property in a particular building if this arrangement might be of interest to you in the future.

To learn more common renter terms, visit our Renter Dictionary.

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