Unpermitted Work: What to Do If You Find It in Your Home

Found out the previous owner did some home renovations without a permit? Don't panic. This happens more than you might think, but it's still something you need to address.

Unpermitted work isn't just about missing paperwork. It affects your home's safety, value, and can cause major headaches when you're ready to sell. Let's look at what you should do if you discover work done without a permit.

What Does Unpermitted Work Mean For New Homeowners?

Finding work done without a permit by the previous owner creates several challenges for homeowners:

• Your property might not be as safe as you thought
• You could face fines from your local city building department
• Your home insurance might not cover damages in areas built without a permit
• The value of your house could drop
• You'll need to fix these issues before you can sell

How to Spot Work Done Without Permits

About half of all homes have some unpermitted renovations. This can create big problems for homeowners who inherit these issues.

When buying a house, pay close attention to areas that look newer than the rest of the property. Added rooms, extensively remodelled basements, or updated electrical work often need permits for construction.

Check if the home's structure matches the original plans. Compare what you see with the blueprints on file at your local city building department. Major differences are a red flag and could signal work completed without a permit.

Ask direct questions about any renovations. Most sellers know which projects were built with permits and which weren't. They should disclose this information, but some might try to hide it.

A thorough inspection and appropriate contingencies are your best defense. Professional inspectors can identify areas that weren't built to code or lack proper documentation. In most cases, an experienced inspector can answer your questions about whether something was constructed legally.

Be especially thorough when inspecting homes that have been extensively remodelled, as these properties often have the most permit issues.

What Happens If You Don't Disclose Unpermitted Work?

If a seller doesn’t tell the buyer about unpermitted work, they might have legal options. In British Columbia, like most other places, sellers are legally obligated to disclose known problems with their property. 

The discovery that work was done without a permit gives you potential grounds for action against the previous owner. They broke the rules by not telling the buyer about these potential issues, and it may lead to:

• Legal recourse and lawsuits for failing to disclose
• Extra costs to get appropriate permits
• Home insurance refusing to cover damage in those areas built without proper approval

This shows why careful research before buying is so important. Always check the Property Condition Disclosure Statement and verify with local building departments that all renovations meet code requirements. Being aware of your responsibility as a new owner can save you from time-consuming fixes later.

How to Handle Unpermitted Work

Homeowners should always get appropriate permits before starting construction or renovation. The normal permitting process means submitting plans and descriptions to your local city building department before work begins.

But if you find work done without a permit in your house, don't worry. You can still make things right. Your options include:

• Applying for appropriate permits after the fact
• Making changes to meet current building code requirements
• Disclosing the unpermitted work when you sell

The best approach is to legalize these modifications by applying for retroactive permits. This usually means hiring licensed contractors to inspect everything and fix any code violations.

Taking responsibility to fix these issues protects your investment and makes sure your property is safe and legal.

How to Get Permits (Even After Work Is Done)

Getting the appropriate permits is legally required for any home project, though it's a renovation mistake often made. Permits keep your property safe and follows local building rules. Without them, you might face fines or legal problems.

In a normal situation, to get the permits you need:

1. Contact your local city building department
2. Provide detailed plans of the construction work
3. Be ready for inspections during and after the process
4. Follow all code requirements for electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work

If you’ve found unpermitted work, it’s a bit different:

1. Check with your local city building department to confirm which construction lacks permits
2. Talk to your home insurance company, as areas built without a permit might not be covered
3. Apply for appropriate permits to make everything legal
4. Take photos and write detailed descriptions of all unpermitted work
5. Hire licensed contractors to inspect what needs to be fixed
6. Tell potential buyers about any unpermitted work if you sell your property

Fixing unpermitted work now saves you from bigger headaches later. It might be time-consuming and cost money upfront, but it protects your house value and your legal standing.

Who to Talk to About Permit Problems

When dealing with work done without a permit, get expert help. Your local city building department knows what process you need to follow to legalize the work. Licensed contractors and home inspectors can tell you what doesn't meet code and how to fix it.

If you’re getting ready to sell, real estate agents can answer whether to fix issues before selling or disclose them as-is. Real estate lawyers explain your legal recourse options and risks.

Getting professional guidance helps homeowners make smart decisions about how to proceed when they become aware of potential issues.

Selling a House With Unpermitted Work

Selling a house with work done without a permit is tough and potentially expensive. You are legally obligated to tell buyers about any unauthorized construction you know about.

If you're selling a property with unpermitted work, be ready to:

• Show documentation of what was built
• Possibly get appropriate permits through a time-consuming process
• Make repairs to bring everything up to code
• Accept a lower price during negotiations if issues remain

Taking these steps protects both homeowners and buyers from future problems related to unpermitted work.

Even in a hot market, permit issues catch up with you eventually. Being aware of your responsibility and taking action is almost always better than ignoring the problem.

Having the Proper Permitting Saves a Major Headache

Finding work done without a permit creates stress and potential costs. But dealing with it properly protects your investment.

Check what appropriate permits are missing, document everything carefully, and consider completing the permitting process. Talk to professionals who can help you fix code violations and meet all safety standards.

If you're selling, always tell buyers about any unpermitted work. Hiding these issues will almost always lead to bigger problems down the road.

Taking action now prevents major headaches later. It protects your house value and gives you peace of mind about its safety and legality. When in doubt, getting proper permits is usually the right answer to these problems.