Charlotte Home Buyers: Check Those Permits

Be SURE the Home You Purchase Has the Necessary Permits on File – BEFORE You Buy

All serious prospective buyers should check seller permits pertaining to any room or home additions/renovations as part of their due diligence when checking out a home.

Cities, especially those who are currently low in revenue, are seriously cracking down on non-permitted work. The current owners, not the previous owners who actually did the work or had it done illegally, are the ones who these cities are penalizing. Non-permitted room additions, kitchen remodels and garage conversions are but a few items that can come back and bite an unsuspecting buyer.

A good agent, home inspector or appraiser should be able to spot such work which was not previously permitted. The first giveaway is if the actual square footage is higher than the documented square footage in the tax assessor records. If you unknowingly purchase a home that has had this work done illegally, you will be responsible for bringing the work up to code and paying for the permitting.

Check with the Charlotte Mecklenburg County office for residential building permitting for more information.