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Summer Kitchen stip

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Natalie117

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Professional Status
Certified Residential Appraiser
State
New York
Just received this stip from client...this is a first for me...Can anyone help with info on exactly what is required for a summer kitchen? I originally put in a comment that the subject has a summer kitchen with full interior access by the homeowner noted.

Appraiser to comment if summer kitchen is properly lighted and vented

Any help is appreciated.
 
A summer kitchen, to me in my market, is a kitchen in a walk-out basement that grandma uses in the late summer to can all her veggies. This kitchen is used instead of the main kitchen in order to keep the upstairs cool and steam free.

I don't know what is 'required' but a light seems logical. Something to remove the steam/moisture would be a good idea but the door is usually left open to keep the air moving below.
 
The appraiser is unable to comment whether or not the summer kitchen is properly vented and lighted as this is both outside the expertise/qualification level of the appraiser in addition to the appraiser not being an employee of the local municipalities building department. The scope of the appraisal assignment is to comment on features which are readily observable, which the appraiser has done by mentioning the subject has a summer kitchen. It is recommended the client hire a qualified professional (i.e. a building inspector within the local jurisdiction and/or a home inspector) if the client has any further concerns regarding this issue.

As a side note, my experience has been that second kitchen usually need permits. If you are so inclined you could check on the status of the permits and assume that if the local jurisdiction has one on file, the summer kitchen must have passed at that time. Of course if it's not permitted some on this forum may take great issue with you not being the permit police in this instance.
 
The space was lighted, and since the basement was open to the upstairs (no door leading to the basement stairs), I'm inclined to say the the ventilation is adequate.

That's what I will comment on. Adequate, vs. Proper.

Thanks all.
 
I would recommend against making a personal judgment with regard to venting, which is a safety issue. I recommend either searching for the permit that notes the kitchen is to code, or recommending that the appropriate professional be hired to determining if the venting is sufficient.
 
They may be asking, however ineffectively, if the summer kitchen meets local building codes.
 
Hey Nat, Governing Municipality?
 
I'm sorry but you would need to wait until next summer for that answer.
 
These 2nd kitchen stips are so asinine! It would be like stipping my house because it has a full gym and sauna in the basement.

Is that gym a commercial operation?; appraiser to comment. Idiots.
 
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