Can you split a duplex into two separate properties

Tom: Chrissy, I do see a text up there now. Read the text for us, if you would, please.

Chris: Yes. The text listener is asking if you can split a duplex into two separate properties.

Tom: Okay. Let's start from the beginning. That is typically a duplex is on one lot. It's got one tax ID number. It's got one owner that owns both sides of the duplex. Can you split a duplex in two? The answer is yes, as a general rule. What you do would be a lot split. You do that with the Orange County tax collector's office, so right-

Chris: Or whatever tax-- right?

Tom: Yes. Whatever tax office county your property's in, and they would literally do the split and turn it into two separate tax ID parcels. Once it's been split, then rather than having one owner that the owns the entire duplex, you could have two separate owners.

Chris: That's great. Good question.

Tom: Yes. Good question. We appreciate that. People doing a lot, sometimes people, other than duplexes people sometimes call us and say, "Tom, we want to do a lot split. We just got a bigger residential lot that we want to turn it into two residential lots."

That process is pretty simple. I haven't personally done it, but it is the thing that is meant for you to do by yourself with your local tax appraiser's office. They just have to recognize it as two separate tax ID numbers. Of course, a lot has to be big enough to be two separate buildable lots. These days, I think they're building houses in Orlando and around Florida with lots as narrow as 50 feet. They're trying to do an urban infield. They're trying to build houses on smaller lots these days.

Chris: Exactly.

Tom: Yes. Good question and appreciate that. If you have any other questions about it, feel free to give us a call. We're the Olsen Law Group in Orlando.

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