Unpermitted Work

How to Sell a House With Unpermitted Work in Ottawa

How to Sell a House With Unpermitted Work in Ottawa

Suppose you have been considering making alterations to your home. In that case, the bottom line is to make sure the work is permitted if required by law to avoid the consequences, which are much more complicated than pulling the permit initially.  While you may believe you and your family will live in your current home forever, so these unpermitted changes will never be your problem, life can change drastically. You may suddenly find yourself selling a home under adverse conditions of your own making. 

Most importantly, you should decide how to handle the unpermitted work before placing your home on the market. Should you find yourself wondering how to sell a house with unpermitted work in Ottawa, we will cover your options. No matter if you did the job or merely discovered it after buying the home, having an issue with unpermitted work can be quite a blow emotionally and highly costly as you face the realities of disclosure during the selling process. Even if your buyer knows about the unpermitted work before the sale, they could still pursue legal avenues after the fact. Failure to disclose this work could end in your paying legal fees and court costs.

Homes modified through unpermitted work carry a large amount of baggage. While the resolution to this issue may be expensive, ultimately, left unresolved, this baggage lowers the home’s value on the Ottawa real estate market or could even turn away your buyers. 

Permitting 

If you are not the original owner of your home, there is a chance that you may have unpermitted work hidden from view and not even be aware. When it comes to disclosure, ignorance is not truly bliss. You will still be legally responsible. It pays to have a professional complete your inspection before listing your home yourself or on the Ottawa real estate market through a traditional MLS listing with an agent. Some cities will allow a homeowner to seek a retroactive permit, allowing you to sell a house with unpermitted work in Ottawa. If this is not the case, your first step will be to remove the unpermitted work and do the job again with a permit. Permits for work on homes in Ottawa under local zoning, construction, and land use laws help ensure the dwelling is safe for habitation and is not causing harm to the environment. Depending on the work’s complexity and the value gained by going through the process, it may be your best option to tackle the issue and take corrective action. 

Corrective Steps

You will need to ensure you will have the funds as well as afford the time to proceed. Account for holding costs during the corrective phase, including the time your home may be on the market once listed. It would be wise to contact architects and contractors for estimates and guidance on the permitting required and timeline expected to resolve them. To make the best decision about how to go about selling your home, you will need to have a realistic budget. Inspections will be a requirement, so you should familiarize yourself with what it takes to pass the inspection before undertaking any project. If you need to sell a house with unpermitted work in Ottawa, your plans will likely need to be approved by the city before you can begin.

Removal

While it can be disheartening and highly costly, you could remove the modification before trying to sell a house with unpermitted work in Ottawa. If you discovered the change and are not sure of what electrical, plumbing or support systems are involved, it would be best to call in experts to ensure that the removal will be done correctly and not compromise the structure. Suppose you would prefer to save money by working yourself to return your home to its original state. In that case, it should be limited to minor renovations, such as returning a garage you temporarily repurposed as an extra bedroom back to its original state, depending on what was involved. If in doubt, ask a professional.

Or you could work with our team at HappyDoor. We will make you an offer to buy as-is! HappyDoor makes it easy to sell a house with unpermitted work in Ottawa. We know that your home is the most significant investment of your life. At HappyDoor, helping you solve your problems while earning the highest return on your investment is our passion.

At HappyDoor, we stop everything and take the time to listen to you. Discuss your unique situation with us, and our professionals at HappyDoor will help you compare all of your options with no obligation. Our experienced team at HappyDoor is here to help you to make the best decision to sell your Ottawa home. To learn more, contact HappyDoor at (855) 264-1230 today.

FAQ

What happens if you buy a house with unpermitted work?

When you buy a house, you typically need to obtain a building permit in order to make any changes or additions to the property. However, sometimes unpermitted work is found during the inspection process. While it may not seem like a big deal, there can be some serious consequences if you choose to purchase a home with unpermitted work. For starters, the previous owner may have not followed all of the necessary building code requirements. This means that the work could be unsafe and put your family at risk. Additionally, if you ever decide to sell the property, the unpermitted work could lower the value of the home and make it more difficult to find a buyer. In some cases, you may even be required to tear down the unpermitted work in order to obtain a certificate of occupancy. As you can see, there are various risks associated with buying a house with unpermitted work. It is important to weigh these risks carefully before making any decisions.

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