Selling a House - no permit!!?? (Morristown: sale, countertops, how much) - City-Data Forum

Leilaeden · 11-12-2007, 06:42 PM

If anyone can help - I'd appreciate it! Live in Morristown - my husband and I did renovations to our kicthen. We put in new floors, cabinets, countertops and lighting (nothing done to walls etc). We're now selling and the buyer is requesting permits. I thought, according to the bylaws, you only needed a permit if you were doing structural changes. Now it seems we needed permits and this could jeopardize our sale. Can you get permits after the fact? And how long do permits take to get?

I'm thinking we only need an electrical permits since the rest is more cosmetic...

Any insight???

apvbguy · 11-12-2007, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leilaeden

If anyone can help - I'd appreciate it! Live in Morristown - my husband and I did renovations to our kicthen. We put in new floors, cabinets, countertops and lighting (nothing done to walls etc). We're now selling and the buyer is requesting permits. I thought, according to the bylaws, you only needed a permit if you were doing structural changes. Now it seems we needed permits and this could jeopardize our sale. Can you get permits after the fact? And how long do permits take to get?

I'm thinking we only need an electrical permits since the rest is more cosmetic...

Any insight???

yes you can get permits after the fact, the time frame is different in different places but there shouldn't be any delays, there might be a fine involved and if you don't get the permit you may not be able to close the sale

teachbeach · 11-12-2007, 08:11 PM

It sounds as if you did repair and replace more than upgrades. I'm not sure you needed permits for the type of work you did, since you did not change existing structure. Contact your local office that issues permits and ask the questions, or ask your attorney or realtor. I think your seller is being unrealistic in demanding these documents.

Calcbunny · 11-12-2007, 08:19 PM

We finished our basement and did not get any permits. When it came time to sell, we only had to put that fact in the full disclosure, they accepted it and we sold our home no problem.

EANJ · 11-12-2007, 08:50 PM

I am not an expert, but have dealt with that situation a few times (when I've been the buyer). I don't know if this applies here -- however -- unless city code, laws, etc. are different -- yes, you can get permits (approval permits) after the fact. However, the town/inspector will want to make sure the work was done up to code and if he/she can't see something, you might get ordered into "opening" something up, so that the inspector can see what's "inside" or "behind" so to speak. I can't speak to fines or what have you, but I've seen it before.

I don't know how much "electrical" can be seen on the surface, as opposed to what's been covered by cabinets, walls, counters, etc.

As far as a disclosure and release -- some buyers might take it, some might not. Last time I went through this, there was quite a bit of work done (extensive), with zero permits. The other side offered a full disclosure and a release document. I didn't accept that (under advice from my own inspector, attorney, and risk management expert). Depending on the circumstances, specifics, etc. -- a full disclosure and release may not alleviate your liability moving forward.

Good luck.

tahiti · 11-13-2007, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EANJ

I am not an expert, but have dealt with that situation a few times (when I've been the buyer). I don't know if this applies here -- however -- unless city code, laws, etc. are different -- yes, you can get permits (approval permits) after the fact. However, the town/inspector will want to make sure the work was done up to code and if he/she can't see something, you might get ordered into "opening" something up, so that the inspector can see what's "inside" or "behind" so to speak. I can't speak to fines or what have you, but I've seen it before.
I don't know how much "electrical" can be seen on the surface, as opposed to what's been covered by cabinets, walls, counters, etc.

As far as a disclosure and release -- some buyers might take it, some might not. Last time I went through this, there was quite a bit of work done (extensive), with zero permits. The other side offered a full disclosure and a release document. I didn't accept that (under advice from my own inspector, attorney, and risk management expert). Depending on the circumstances, specifics, etc. -- a full disclosure and release may not alleviate your liability moving forward.

Good luck.

the bolded is what i'd be concerned about. the inspectors could be real sticklers and demand you open walls to check electrical, structural stuff - because how do they know you didn't do more than you said? I realize this is already said and done, but IMHO it's not worth the hassle to try to buck the system.

Roselvr · 11-13-2007, 06:06 AM

See if the town has a web site, you should be able to find out there...

brookdaleresident · 11-13-2007, 06:14 AM

My experience is the same as EANJ. A friend of mine had to tear out his deck because he didn't get a permit first. I think it varies by town. Hopefully it's just a matter of paying for the permit after the fact (and maybe a fine), assuming the work is up to code.

EANJ · 11-13-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tahiti

the bolded is what i'd be concerned about. the inspectors could be real sticklers and demand you open walls to check electrical, structural stuff - because how do they know you didn't do more than you said? I realize this is already said and done, but IMHO it's not worth the hassle to try to buck the system.

I don't know if it's a matter of being a stickler, as opposed to (what they would see as) "doing their job) so to speak. Hopefully, this won't have ramifications in selling. Again, good luck.

Calico696 · 11-13-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apvbguy

yes you can get permits after the fact, the time frame is different in different places but there shouldn't be any delays, there might be a fine involved and if you don't get the permit you may not be able to close the sale

Are you in Morristown proper or Morris Township? Some people call Morris Township, Morristown. Only asking because, permits in Morris Township are being delayed beyond belief lately. There is some kind of internal termoil among the inspectors and permits that should take a couple of weeks to issue are taking months.