Originally Posted by
Jim Weyenberg
The Realtor Board in my area has asked me to help in putting together a committee to establish some level of standards for renovation and rehabilitation of older homes, since we have such an overstock of older neglected homes.
That would be excellent, then, too, the properties would be worth more, sell better, and bring in higher commissions, so while that is all and good, it is not for the good of all.
Their contention is buyers are avoiding these because any improvements or repairs they would make would be subject to a code inspection
As that work should be.
by the AHJ which scares the hell out of people ... The municipal inspectors power kick atatudes make it just not worth the effort and pose an even bigger risk.
That's where to start your help. Explain the situation to the AHJ and state that you and the real estate community IS TRYING TO GET THIS DONE BY CODE, but that you need their help in changing the working attitudes of the inspector who are employees of the people they are inspecting for, and, do this in conjunction with the local commissioners for a second meeting if the AHJ is closed to changing their attitudes.
Or, maybe, just maybe, the AHJ attitudes are created by all the people trying to do the work without permits ... like you are suggesting?
and puts the cost out of reach.
Yes, repairs on older homes are not cheap, and doing those repairs *without a permit* even less cheap - because of all the risk and liability being taken on, and *I* for one would not want to be part of a planned and concerted effort to subvert the codes - and *all the liability THAT would bring on to you*.
The idea is to come up with some criteria where we could avoid having to bring the repairs or improvements up to today's codes,
Okie dokie, this is where you stump me ... trying to subvert the codes ... ????
but also protect buyers and homeowners trying to improve their home for sale from Homer or Bubba jobs and still be safe and not adversely affecting other functions of the structure or systems.
Ummmmmm ... that's what codes are for.
... to help people less fortunate than me, ... not make mistakes that will cost them dearly either monitarily or safetywise with their homes.
Which is just the opposite of what you are proposing to do by not pulling permits and not having inspections.