Buying a house that had no permits

[MRice]

The house next door to us is being renovated. Builders took off the roof, took the existing house down to the studs and poured additional foundation to expand it. They are racing right along and I see no permit posted. I don't care except that if the house turns out well I would like to recommend it to people I like who might be shopping. But does the lack of a permit indicate shoddy work? Would a buyer's inspection show up any problems? Will the lack of a permit come back to haunt a new owner in any other way?

[Cap'n Ken]

Have you looked up the house to see what if any permits have been issued?

If I saw some major project like this happening and learned it was not permitted, I'd call it in ASAP. I don't much care if somebody puts up a fence without a permit, but if you're doing structural work, electrical work, gas-line work, etc. permitting means inspections, which means some level of assurance that the project won't endanger health and safety of occupants and neighbors down the road.

[MRice]

I don't know that they don't have a permit, just that I don't see one from the street. I only know how to look up the property tax info and it still has our previous neighbors as the owners, although they lost the house to foreclosure.
A renovated house is preferable to what was there and I'd rather the house not be left in it's current state, hence my question: If you don't have a permit does that mean you're doing a crappy job?

[Cap'n Ken]

I don't know that they don't have a permit, just that I don't see one from the street. I only know how to look up the property tax info and it still has our previous neighbors as the owners, although they lost the house to foreclosure.
A renovated house is preferable to what was there and I'd rather the house not be left in it's current state, hence my question: If you don't have a permit does that mean you're doing a crappy job?

Check here:

http://gis.atlantaga.gov/gishome/

I'd say if you're renovating a house without a permit, you're a irresponsible shithead at least and you have to wonder why they would not permit it. If they can't afford permits, what kind of job are they doing on materials, workmanship, etc.? I sure wouldn't buy a house that was done without permits.

[Lulus mom]

I'd think it would be very difficult to secure a loan on a house built with no permits? I know mine were all pulled and verified during the buying process.

[Cap'n Ken]

I'd think it would be very difficult to secure a loan on a house built with no permits? I know mine were all pulled and verified during the buying process.

Really? You bought your house after renovation and the bank went and looked up your permits? I don't think anything of the sort happened when I bought post-renovation.

[Lulus mom]

I'd think it would be very difficult to secure a loan on a house built with no permits? I know mine were all pulled and verified during the buying process.

Really? You bought your house after renovation and the bank went and looked up your permits? I don't think anything of the sort happened when I bought post-renovation.

yes, really. Not sure if it was the bank, or my realtor, or the home owners insurance folks, but I have copies of all the permits.

[Kevy Duty]

It will have to have a thorough home inspection for the bank that will point out most code violations before it can change hands again.

[JBB]

this is a better link for looking up COA permits:
https://aca.accela.com/Atlanta_Ga/Default.aspx

is that 1590 Glenwood?

[MRice]

this is a better link for looking up COA permits:
https://aca.accela.com/Atlanta_Ga/Default.aspx

is that 1590 Glenwood?

Yes.

[JBB]

this is a better link for looking up COA permits:
https://aca.accela.com/Atlanta_Ga/Default.aspx

is that 1590 Glenwood?

Yes.

Applicant:
JOHN SWINEY
145 THISTLEWOOD LN
FAIRBURN, GA, 30213
SWINEYJ@BELLSOUTH.NET
Project Description:
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY GENERAL REPAIR, FASCIA/SOFFIT, PAINT INTERIOR, PAINT EXTERIOR, SIDING (REPLACE/REPAIR EXISTING), REPLACE EXISTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DOORS (IN EXISTING OPENINGS ONLY), REPAIR EXISTING HOLES IN THE DRYWALL ONLY (MAXIMUM 3 SHEETS REPLACEMENT), BATH CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING), KITCHEN CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING).

[MRice]

this is a better link for looking up COA permits:
https://aca.accela.com/Atlanta_Ga/Default.aspx

is that 1590 Glenwood?

Yes.

Applicant:
JOHN SWINEY
145 THISTLEWOOD LN
FAIRBURN, GA, 30213
SWINEYJ@BELLSOUTH.NET
Project Description:
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY GENERAL REPAIR, FASCIA/SOFFIT, PAINT INTERIOR, PAINT EXTERIOR, SIDING (REPLACE/REPAIR EXISTING), REPLACE EXISTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DOORS (IN EXISTING OPENINGS ONLY), REPAIR EXISTING HOLES IN THE DRYWALL ONLY (MAXIMUM 3 SHEETS REPLACEMENT), BATH CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING), KITCHEN CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING).

Thanks, I was looking it up at the same time.

Thanks for the link. It lists our former neighbors as the owners, so perhaps they didn't lose the house after all? Seems like the permit calls for a lot less than what's actually being done.

[JBB]

Thanks for the link. It lists our former neighbors as the owners, so perhaps they didn't lose the house after all? Seems like the permit calls for a lot less than what's actually being done.

don't believe the Ownership info on the building permits... that info is probably 3-4 years old

yes... it appears the builder is working well beyond the scope of his permit.

404.330.6150

[hfranks]

this is a better link for looking up COA permits:
https://aca.accela.com/Atlanta_Ga/Default.aspx

is that 1590 Glenwood?

Yes.

Applicant:
JOHN SWINEY
145 THISTLEWOOD LN
FAIRBURN, GA, 30213
SWINEYJ@BELLSOUTH.NET
Project Description:
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY GENERAL REPAIR, FASCIA/SOFFIT, PAINT INTERIOR, PAINT EXTERIOR, SIDING (REPLACE/REPAIR EXISTING), REPLACE EXISTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DOORS (IN EXISTING OPENINGS ONLY), REPAIR EXISTING HOLES IN THE DRYWALL ONLY (MAXIMUM 3 SHEETS REPLACEMENT), BATH CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING), KITCHEN CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING).

Thanks, I was looking it up at the same time.

Thanks for the link. It lists our former neighbors as the owners, so perhaps they didn't lose the house after all? Seems like the permit calls for a lot less than what's actually being done.

This.  It seems likely a stop work order will appear at some point and proper permits will be necessary. 

[mellamur]

this is a better link for looking up COA permits:
https://aca.accela.com/Atlanta_Ga/Default.aspx

is that 1590 Glenwood?

Yes.

Applicant:
JOHN SWINEY
145 THISTLEWOOD LN
FAIRBURN, GA, 30213
SWINEYJ@BELLSOUTH.NET
Project Description:
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY GENERAL REPAIR, FASCIA/SOFFIT, PAINT INTERIOR, PAINT EXTERIOR, SIDING (REPLACE/REPAIR EXISTING), REPLACE EXISTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DOORS (IN EXISTING OPENINGS ONLY), REPAIR EXISTING HOLES IN THE DRYWALL ONLY (MAXIMUM 3 SHEETS REPLACEMENT), BATH CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING), KITCHEN CABINETS/COUNTERTOPS (REPAIR/REPLACE EXISTING).

Thanks, I was looking it up at the same time.

Thanks for the link. It lists our former neighbors as the owners, so perhaps they didn't lose the house after all? Seems like the permit calls for a lot less than what's actually being done.

Wow. That house is down to the studs...seems like a bit more than "repair existing holes in the drywall (maximum 3 sheets replacement).