Just learned we have an un-permitted swimming pool! (Austin, Howe: apartments, assessor)

[Dr.Mom]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Yes, that is the site. Just keep going year by year, often a permit is applied for 6-12 months before the work is done. You can also call the "one stop development shop" and talk to someone, be super friendly and they can usually help.

You could also hire a land consultant, they are not expensive, will often do preliminary work or research for free or for a low set cost. The city databases are huge and like many huge data sets, have their quirks when it comes to searching. Another tact would be to make any contract contingent on "proof of permitting." Many many renovations are done without permitting, the owner should have to disclose it (lack of permits) at the time of sale.

Thanks so much! I wonder if the OP has any other unpermitted renos, besides the pool. Might be worth it to them to look on the link you provided.

[Searcher521]

Wow, what a nightmare. Imagine if they want you to move it a few feet off an easement or setback from a property line.

FYI: I had an 12,000 gal pool removed a couple of years ago for around $6K.

I hope this works out for you without too much more aggravation or expense than you have already experienced.

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by BentBow

Makes you wonder if it really is your property or just renting it, doesn't it.
We no longer have property rights. We are given permission by the master.

Ain't gubmint wonderful?

As for shoddy work done by the previous owner, what about the shoddy inspection that was done at the time it was purchased in 2007? I'd have a word with that inspector.

[centralaustinite]

Inspectors do not search for permitting problems! But the owner should have disclosed that the pool was not permitted (but many many folks do not disclose permitting issues and in 2007 it was an entirely different real estate market).

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Inspectors do not search for permitting problems! But the owner should have disclosed that the pool was not permitted (but many many folks do not disclose permitting issues and in 2007 it was an entirely different real estate market).

That's not what I said. Maybe the inspector could've caught the shoddy plumbing job.

That's what they are paid to do.

[centralaustinite]

ah, sorry for the mix-up! Perhaps the inspector should have caught it, difficult to know without more information. Lots of DIY disasters out there!

[ScoPro]

Of course a lot of shoddy work is hidden behind walls, floors, & ceilings where they can't be seen, whether it's DIY or certified homebuilder (large & small) work.

Inspectors can't catch 'em all.

[riaelise]

I'm probably not correct in my thinking regarding this, but I did not get a permit for my deck and arbor. I did hire a good reputable company to do the work, but that's here and there. I've had work done inside my home that wasn't permitted either. Inherently I bristle at having to ask for permission to work on my own home, and on my own land. I'm not convinced city permitting folks will spot a bad job from a bad contractor. I also think it's just a way for TCAD to make money off me.

[CarnivalGal]

My bigger concern would be with my insurance company. If you have items that have not been properly permitted, you damn well better believe your insurance company is not going to cover anything that may happen with them. It may be one thing if you truly did not know, but if you have done work yourself (such as riaelise) that you did not get proper permitting for, you may learn the hard way when your house floods or there's a fire.

[riaelise]

Originally Posted by mm57553

My bigger concern would be with my insurance company. If you have items that have not been properly permitted, you damn well better believe your insurance company is not going to cover anything that may happen with them. It may be one thing if you truly did not know, but if you have done work yourself (such as riaelise) that you did not get proper permitting for, you may learn the hard way when your house floods or there's a fire.

Thanks for the call-out.

I'm not alone in what I've done (obviously)...and I never said that it was right, wrong, or whatever. Does it really matter if you knew you needed a permit or didn't know? The result is the same. Que sera sera. People do DIY stuff all of the time, sans permits, and not all of the results are people tumbling to the earth or things going up in smoke.

ETA: As for the insurance company... heh, by the time they apply the deductible, they aren't gonna pay for the deck anyway...or if they do, it would be beans. They try to find every which way to weasel out of replacing your stuff.