No building permits obtained

[mp2277]

I just inspected an 70 year old house, bought cheap, extensively remodeled including installation of a mini split system and the addition of an additional bath. The mini split system is inadequate, the water pressure is low and other noticeable improper work. I have verified that no permits were obtained. I am calling for an HVAC and plumbing inspection. Do I mention the lack of building permits and municipal inspections or do I require a permit to be obtained? I want to deliver the report ASAP. This is a conventional loan. Thanks

 

[Illuminati]

Why is the mini split inadequate?

 

[mp2277]

Why is the mini split inadequate?

One outside unit, two inside, one is in a bedroom one is in a back laundry, they are rated for the square footage but are isolated behind walls and doors. The kitchen and living room will receive very little if any heat. There is no other heat source other than a wood stove. The square footage rating is for an open and uninhibited area. I use them all the time in rentals and flips I know their capabilities and limitations. Back to the question of building permits...

 

[jay trotta]

One outside unit, two inside, one is in a bedroom one is in a back laundry, they are rated for the square footage but are isolated behind walls and doors. The kitchen and living room will receive very little if any heat. There is no other heat source other than a wood stove. The square footage rating is for an open and uninhibited area. I use them all the time in rentals and flips I know their capabilities and limitations. Back to the question of building permits...

Don't know your area, so what are the municipalities PZC regulation? Also, if you have No permits, what is the Health/Safety Code in that municipality & state??
In regard to the Heat Source, what is your client's assignment conditions?

 

[mp2277]

Don't know your area, so what are the municipalities PZC regulation? Also, if you have No permits, what is the Health/Safety Code in that municipality & state??
In regard to the Heat Source, what is your client's assignment conditions?

Building permits definitely required. They want as is of course, I have already notified them there will be conditions for inspections, they are aware of that. I am on the fence about requiring municipal permits and inspections in addition to trade inspections. I think I am going to note no permits pulled and let them sort it out

 

[norapp]

I appraised a home for sale in a rural area built several years ago. I needed to call the town for zoning info. Good thing I did. The zoning officer was familiar with the home and said the man built the home with no permit and was it was considered an illegal dwelling. Wrote the report explaining the situation and included the contact info for the town and zoning officer. The bank forced the owner to allow an inspection. I don't want to think what would have happened if the sale went through without a c/o. CYA

 

[TerryRohrer]

I appraised a home for sale in a rural area built several years ago. I needed to call the town for zoning info. Good thing I did. The zoning officer was familiar with the home and said the man built the home with no permit and was it was considered an illegal dwelling. Wrote the report explaining the situation and included the contact info for the town and zoning officer. The bank forced the owner to allow an inspection. I don't want to think what would have happened if the sale went through without a c/o. CYA

And then there are these cases:

Next-Door Neighbors Force Couple To Tear Down Dream Home

The Sapienzas built their 4-bedroom dream home a mere seven feet from the neighbors' house.

www.scarymommy.com

Demolition of Surrey 'hidden castle' almost complete

The demolition of a mock Tudor castle, built without planning permission, is almost complete.

www.bbc.com

 

[alebrewer]

If you know permits weren't obtained, I'd certainly mention that in the report - and possibly call for a plumbing inspection as well. That said, neither the GSE's, nor FHA, require us to verify permits. We're not the permit police.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Building permits definitely required. They want as is of course, I have already notified them there will be conditions for inspections, they are aware of that. I am on the fence about requiring municipal permits and inspections in addition to trade inspections. I think I am going to note no permits pulled and let them sort it out

Again, no one seems to think that it important that we know WHO the loan goes to. FNMA? FHA? VA? Or IN HOUSE. If in-house, then concerns about the heat system are generally moot. A wood stove is likely adequate to heat a large area and so as long as the others can keep the house from freezing up...that is not an issue because a non-secondary, GSE, non-government backed loan generally does not require such caveats. "Safe and sound" is not a requirement of a community bank to make a loan. It is a requirement of the GSEs and government loans. But yes, you mention the lack of permits.

 

[alebrewer]

Good point - it's natural to assume F/F or FHA, but that's not necessarily the case.