Replies

1. 
   CapnMac | Mar 23, 2006 07:43pm | #1

   Oughta print this out for prospective clients

   Yeah, I like the idea of getting the permit history, too.

   Probably not a bad idea to get (or try to get) the utility history, too.  There can be some nice 'gems' in there.  In my case, the records were lost in the change from muni utility to private utility, so no one can explain my SD.  But, since the records are gone, my property still has its entire "new install" account balance intact, too.

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
2. 
   JohnSprung | Mar 23, 2006 11:03pm | #2

   I get "The page cannot be displayed" on that link.

   But I've asked the seller for not just the permits, but also the certificates of occupancy when buying our last two houses. 

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

3. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Mar 24, 2006 12:11am | #3

   Paul, the idea of pulling permit history intrigues me. I will do so for sure on my next purchase that involves anything other than vacant land.

   blue

    

4. 
   Nuke | Mar 24, 2006 04:41pm | #4

   Too bad that in their 'addition' example they didn't state what the permit would have cost or the penalties therein. Also, couldn't someone in this case get a signed statement from a licensed sub during the original work for use later if the HO needs to post-work permit the activity and save on tearing open walls/ceilings?

1. 
   PaulBinCT | Mar 24, 2006 05:29pm | #5

   I don't think there's any mechanism in place that allows for a contractor to qualify work that isn't inspected by the AHJ.  Besides, I wonder if there isn't some liability issue involved if the sub did provide such an affidavit?

   PaulB

1. 
   davidmeiland | Mar 24, 2006 05:56pm | #6

   In this county a licensed plumber can sign off on his own pressure test of DWV. The inspector is not out every day, and the theory is that a home's drains may have to be disconnected for the test, so they offer this as a convenience. It appears to me that the plumber has to be well known to the inspector for this to fly.

   Only thing like it I've ever heard of...

   As far as selling a house where work was done without permits, you have to either 'fess up or lie on the seller's disclosure. I've been able to obtain the permit histories for our houses by asking at the permit counter.

1. 
   JohnSprung | Mar 25, 2006 02:04am | #8

   What can happen here in LA with some older permits and c of o's is that they're so vague and brief -- "garage conversion", etc -- that later unpermitted changes can be slipped through because they could fall within the descriptions on the paperwork. 

    

   -- J.S.

    

5. 
   darbie | Mar 24, 2006 10:12pm | #7

   My sister just made an offer on a house.  She later found out that the seller didn't disclose all the work done on the house and didn't have a building permit for the new addition, new furnace, whole house air conditioning, whole house rewiring and a new bathroom that was added.

   What would be her legal problems if she bought this house?

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Mar 25, 2006 03:16am | #10

   Darbie, the legal problems would belong to the seller for lieing.

   blue 

2. 
   woodway | Mar 25, 2006 05:02am | #11

   Your sister's only has problems if she should need to make a claim with her homeowners insurance company after a disaster...like a fire! The insurance company isn't going to pay up if they find that the work was done without permits or inspections. And trust me, they will look into non permited add-ons because it's a quick and easy way out to not pay the claim. All they need to do is make a visit with the local building code dept. to backcheck their records.In addition, when she attempts to sell, she has to find someone willing to buy a house built without permits. May prove difficult to get her asking price and may have to sell at a much lower price. If she doesn't disclose that information up front and someone buys the house under the assumption that permits were pulled, your sister is prime tarket for a legal law suit and she will not win. Could be cheaper to look somewhere else for a house to buy.So, if she never sells the house or never has some sort of claim with insurance company she should be OK...I think!

1. 
   mrfixitusa | Mar 25, 2006 11:34am | #12

   I've watched several of the flip this house TV shows where they did work and did not have permits.Here where I live I think a lot? some? work is done without permits.When the house sells the Seller fills out the property disclosure report and says "Yes work was done to the house without a permit". The houses seem to go ahead and sell without any issues.I sold a house recently and the attached garage had been converted to a family room.The appraiser asked for permits documenting the work was done properly as the 200-250 feet family room was needed for the house to appraise.The seller had owned the home for 10+ years and did not have any documentation or permit records.The house sold & the lender waived the documentation requirement.^^^^^^

6. 
   gb93433 | Mar 25, 2006 02:11am | #9

   Besides a permit I have also taken pictures so there is no question.