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My town does not allow the sell "as is." The buyer wants the bathroom but because the town requires all homes to get a CCO when they are being sold, the building inspector must come out and then you are required to bring everything up to code prior to the closing on the house.
Because my town makes everyone obtain a CCO upon selling the home, the new code applies and everything must be corrected that is not part of the original property card. In essence, because they don't have a record of it, they ask you to behave as thugh you are putting that bathroom in today.
It's construction codes that they are talking about. The bathroom is safe but for instance doesn't have the height clearance (7 ft)or an exhaust fan. Because its not on the original town property card from 1921, they are asking me to either bring it up to day's code (which may not be possible, especially for the height part) or take it out. They do this because they ask each seller to apply for a CCO which brings the inspector out to the property. I wish we had taken it out prior to the inspector coming.
I still can't believe something like that isn't grandfathered... and I can't believe anyone would actually buy something in that town if they knew the rules could change at any time.
Because my town makes everyone obtain a CCO upon selling the home, the new code applies and everything must be corrected that is not part of the original property card. In essence, because they don't have a record of it, they ask you to behave as thugh you are putting that bathroom in today.
Does your state law allow a city to make that sort of rule? have you talked to a local lawyer about the issue?
Ask for a copy of the relevant code sections from the city. They can't just tell you "it's a secret". They may not have it on the web because they use a copyrighted code from outside. Which is ridiculous.
What city is this? Or state, if you don't want to reveal the city.
We already didn't include it as part of the listing as we knew it was a potential problem. My town mandates CCOs for all home being sold. So it was still inspected by the building inspector and must wither be brought up to code (a long process that will delay the sale), or removed. Another odd thing is that my town does not have the code available for viewing on the web. It's the only town I've ever seen that does this.
That is just about the craziest thing I've ever heard of. I can't believe they're making everyone bring their house regardless of age up to current building code regardless of the home's age. Insane! That's quite an unfair burden to put on homeowners.
What town is this so that I can make sure never to move there?
Quote:
Originally Posted by annie7216
Their paperwork could very well be faulty but they don't care. They still require all home sales to get a CCO. then the building inspector comes out, tells you to get a permit, get a lumber, electrician, the works. It winds up costing so much. The bathroom may very well be up to code from 1940. But it doesn't matter to them.
That's just crazy. Are homes of this age common where you live? Sounds like some plumbers and electricians weren't busy enough and greased some local official.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WRM20
Does your state law allow a city to make that sort of rule? have you talked to a local lawyer about the issue?
Ask for a copy of the relevant code sections from the city. They can't just tell you "it's a secret". They may not have it on the web because they use a copyrighted code from outside. Which is ridiculous.
What city is this? Or state, if you don't want to reveal the city.
What's a CCO?
Maybe she meant COO (Certificate of Occupancy)?
Not sure the OP is going to get anything changed in regard to local regulations in time for their home to sell.
OP - it is difficult figuring out which comment you are responding to if you don't include at least part of the comment/question or at least the name of the person who asked the question in your response.
I find it surprising that a professional plumber working in the town doesn't know what the code is. I would call the town office and ask how you can get a copy of the relevant sections of the town code. They should at least have a reference copy available at the office that you can look at. It would help to know where you are (at least state and county/township/other higher government entity)
How was this not known when you bought the property? I also find it odd that every time a property is sold it has to be reinspected and brought up to current code. What does your real estate agent say about this?
OP - it is difficult figuring out which comment you are responding to if you don't include at least part of the comment/question or at least the name of the person who asked the question in your response.
I find it surprising that a professional plumber working in the town doesn't know what the code is. I would call the town office and ask how you can get a copy of the relevant sections of the town code. They should at least have a reference copy available at the office that you can look at. It would help to know where you are (at least state and county/township/other higher government entity)
How was this not known when you bought the property? I also find it odd that every time a property is sold it has to be reinspected and brought up to current code. What does your real estate agent say about this?
The thing is, I've heard of a variety of that, but not to the extreme the OP is referring to. As in, I've heard of "My husband and BIL installed a basement bathroom in 2009" and having that cause problems. But typically once it's sold once, its settled.
Never heard of that one before. Around here, we only have Certificates of Occupancy. Either you're allowed to live there or you're not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MidValleyDad
OP - it is difficult figuring out which comment you are responding to if you don't include at least part of the comment/question or at least the name of the person who asked the question in your response.
I find it surprising that a professional plumber working in the town doesn't know what the code is. I would call the town office and ask how you can get a copy of the relevant sections of the town code. They should at least have a reference copy available at the office that you can look at. It would help to know where you are (at least state and county/township/other higher government entity)
How was this not known when you bought the property? I also find it odd that every time a property is sold it has to be reinspected and brought up to current code. What does your real estate agent say about this?
The code has to be in writing somewhere. Otherwise, how do tradespeople learn the local codes in order to meet them? Trial and error? That wouldn't make sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JONOV
The thing is, I've heard of a variety of that, but not to the extreme the OP is referring to. As in, I've heard of "My husband and BIL installed a basement bathroom in 2009" and having that cause problems. But typically once it's sold once, its settled.
Unpermitted work often causes an issue in a home sale. I've never heard of a building department requiring work as old as the OP's to be brought up to code. This sounds like a very local issue though.
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