building permit - DURHAM (selling a home, buying, inspection)

[cur1ous1]

We have been living some in Durham for some time. Since being in the house we have converted an existing room into a bathroom. The tricky thing is - we did not get a permit for the bathroom because we happen to have the expertise inside the family and did not want to pay a GC to do the work. Now that we want to sell - what happens? I have heard horror stories that we will still trigger an inspection and everything is going to have to be torn out in order to do that - including sheet rock and flooring to get to the hidden wastelines, etc. Is this true? I know this is the case for some muncipalities in the area. What about Durham specifically?

[Janecj]

Yes, it could happen to some extent. When selling a home, you are asked to fill out a property disclosure stating if you made any improvements to the home. If so, you need to write it in. If you don't, then you lied and can be liable for your actions. You can also put on the disclosure that you did the work yourself and do not have a permit and do not plan on getting one. Not the best scenario as most will walk away from buying the home, because they will have trouble in the future selling it also. You can also get a permit after the fact, but it is somewhat harder as they may want you to change things/rip out something, etc. as code changes. I would start the process now, it could save you a lot of anquish later. If your agent knows about it or finds out about it.. then he/she must disclose it. Also.. check Durham's governmental rules regarding this to make sure. Good luck.