Concerned With Permit Code Violations?

Neglecting to obtain the required permit may lead to code violations. A seller should have already taken care of these details, but should a buyer be worried anyway?

Should Buyers Be Concerned With Permit Code Violations?

Question:

I am getting a house and am worried about open permits and code violations. The contract says the seller is supposed to deal with it. I asked her, and she said all things are good to go, however I am still worried. What should I do? – Sally

Answer:

You are correct to be concerned. Home owners are required to get a permit from their municipality prior to doing most renovations and repairs. What must be permitted varies by location, with some areas requiring permits for almost everything from cutting down trees to replacing your mailbox, while other towns require permits only for significant work, like replacing an air conditioner.

In cases where a permit is pulled, the work must pass inspection and be properly closed out. Unfortunately, the majority of people don’t understand that a prior permit remained open until they need a new one years later. When this occurs, the original contractor must arrange an inspection and close the permit prior to when the new work can start. This can be difficult in the event the contractor is no longer around. Then the house owner will have to hire a new contractor to take responsibility for the work, which is often expensive. You can find out what permits are required from your town’s website.

There are actually penalties for not obtaining a permit when one is required. This is a code violation and can result in significant fines and removal of the work. Fortunately, these issues can usually be prevented with some detective work. You can look online for most houses at the city’s permit history or get it from town hall. Ensure that there are no open permits or code violations for the home.

When performing the inspection, take note of major components that look newer than the remainder of the house, such as cabinets, air conditioner or the bathroom, and cross-reference the list ensuring that required permits were pulled and closed. If anything does not match up, it is time to have a heart to heart with the seller.

Ready to find your new home here in the Tampa Bay and Surrounding Areas? Nick, Cindy & Nicholas Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group are here to assist you with all your Real Estate Needs. We are always available at 813-300-7116 to answer your questions or you can simply click here and we will be in touch with you shortly.

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