Hi everyone! I recently purchased a single-family home in California and just found out that I received a citation regarding unpermitted construction on the property. I had no idea this was an issue and assumed everything would be clear before the sale went through. The order actually dates back to before we even made an offer! The deadline to resolve this is coming up fast, and I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. Has anyone faced a similar situation? Any advice would be appreciated—thanks in advance!
3 Answers
It sounds like you might have a solid case if you can prove that the prior owners didn't disclose this citation. That's usually something you're supposed to know about when you buy the house. If the sellers were deceased or this was part of an estate sale, it gets trickier, but definitely reach out to your real estate agent, title company, or even a lawyer for guidance. As for dealing with the unpermitted work, I recommend visiting your local building department to talk to someone in person. They're generally helpful and can provide you with the right steps to address the situation. Just be patient and stay polite when you ask your questions!
I totally get your concern! Yes, definitely talk to your agent and title company first, as they might have the best advice for navigating this situation without stepping on any toes.
When exactly did you close? Did you have a home inspection prior to buying it? Make sure you check if you have title insurance as that could protect you in this situation. Also, what did you know about the unpermitted work before you bought the house?
We closed in July and did have an inspection. I knew the seller had flipped the house and renovated the kitchen and bathrooms, but I wasn't aware that any of it was unpermitted or that there was a city order against it. I thought everything was cleared through title, as they told me not to worry about it.
Good to know. If you have title insurance, reach out to them; they might have options for you since unpermitted work can sometimes open up issues with coverage.
The quality of the unpermitted work could really impact your options. If it's shoddy, you might be stuck having to tear it down. But if it's been done well, you could potentially get an engineer to sign off on it, which would make the process smoother. Just be prepared for possible costs associated with rectifying this situation.
Ugh, that sounds expensive. Is it common to need to hire an engineer to handle permits for any unpermitted work? Or is there an easier way?
It can be costly, yeah. Each case is unique, but getting an engineer involved tends to be the standard route if they deem the work unsafe or against code.
Thanks for the tips! The notice I got states it was issued right before we made our offer. Should I contact the seller directly about this, or is that a bad idea? I plan to speak to my real estate agent and title company first.