[parentologist]

I was shown an investment property recently. It is a potential short sale. The owner took a perfectly good single family home and converted it into an illegal 3 units, all unpermitted, substandard work. One unit is being illegally rented out, and the owners are living separately in the two other units. Of course, the area is zoned for single family only. While there, I saw many dangerous violations, including exposed wires, leaking gas room heaters, etc.

It's pretty clear that the property is going to have to go to foreclosure, since the bank won't realize that the illegal work done on the property has essentially reduced the value to little more than the price of the lot, and the current owners are in default. Because the house is on a main street, it isn't a worthwhile teardown, and it will cost more than it's worth to tear out all the illegal work and reconvert it into a legal single family dwelling. The only possible purchaser would be a person who intends to live in one of the units and illegally rent out the two other units, thus endangering the lives of the tenants.

So, should I call the town and report it? There are children involved, who would be harmed if I report, but who also could suffer worse harm from the faulty wiring and gas heaters.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by parentologist

I was shown an investment property recently. It is a potential short sale. The owner took a perfectly good single family home and converted it into an illegal 3 units, all unpermitted, substandard work. One unit is being illegally rented out, and the owners are living separately in the two other units. Of course, the area is zoned for single family only. While there, I saw many dangerous violations, including exposed wires, leaking gas room heaters, etc.

It's pretty clear that the property is going to have to go to foreclosure, since the bank won't realize that the illegal work done on the property has essentially reduced the value to little more than the price of the lot, and the current owners are in default. Because the house is on a main street, it isn't a worthwhile teardown, and it will cost more than it's worth to tear out all the illegal work and reconvert it into a legal single family dwelling. The only possible purchaser would be a person who intends to live in one of the units and illegally rent out the two other units, thus endangering the lives of the tenants.

So, should I call the town and report it? There are children involved, who would be harmed if I report, but who also could suffer worse harm from the faulty wiring and gas heaters.

I just sent you a DM with my $0.02 on this

[mlassoff]

I would. The building in Bridgeport where the two firefighters perished had an illegal apartment-- I don't know if that was the cause of the fire, but substandard work can be dangerous to the tenants.

[Cambium]

I would...not only he's effecting the tenants lives but neighbors too... the neighbors dont want to see cars in and out or this illegal stuff going on in their neighborhood...

Report it...remain annoynomous if you can. Cops will head over there, check things out and make an assesment.

[renovating]

Originally Posted by parentologist

I was shown an investment property recently. It is a potential short sale. The owner took a perfectly good single family home and converted it into an illegal 3 units, all unpermitted, substandard work. One unit is being illegally rented out, and the owners are living separately in the two other units. Of course, the area is zoned for single family only. While there, I saw many dangerous violations, including exposed wires, leaking gas room heaters, etc.

It's pretty clear that the property is going to have to go to foreclosure, since the bank won't realize that the illegal work done on the property has essentially reduced the value to little more than the price of the lot, and the current owners are in default. Because the house is on a main street, it isn't a worthwhile teardown, and it will cost more than it's worth to tear out all the illegal work and reconvert it into a legal single family dwelling. The only possible purchaser would be a person who intends to live in one of the units and illegally rent out the two other units, thus endangering the lives of the tenants.

So, should I call the town and report it? There are children involved, who would be harmed if I report, but who also could suffer worse harm from the faulty wiring and gas heaters.

Well, I am a little curious how no one else besides you caught this?

Anyway, if you really are that concerned about peoples welfare then I suggest you ask the tenants what they would like you to do. If you do't want to do that then I suggest you myob.

[kidyankee764]

You should absolutely report it.