How to find/check if permits are upto code in a certain area

Question

What’s a quick and accurate was to find out if the changes made to property are up to code like additional bedrooms in Baltimore, MD. This is my first time getting a property. I just went to see it and 2 bedrooms are in the attic and I can’t seem to find information to see if they are up to code. I would appreciate the help very much. Ty from a newbie!

Nat C. · Answer

@Aisha Masood

You mentioned these attic rooms are being advertised as bedrooms and you mentioned it’s a wholesaler who is selling this property.....

Wholesalers are unlicensed and they can incorrectly state facts about a property without being held accountable to any RE licensing board.

What do the tax records say about the number of bedrooms there are at the property? I will bet the attic rooms are not included.

I would also encourage you to check the square footage, including what numbers the wholesaler has provided, what the property appraiser numbers are and then measure yourself with a tape measure.

Nick Rutkowski · Answer

@Aisha Masood

Call the code enforcer and ask. It’s a simple phone call, an hour or so for the code enforcer to look into your property, and a phone call back.

Michael King · Answer

@Aisha Masood I'm not an expert but I believe if it's something that's not up to code they will be able to tell you if it can be made to code and used as advertised - with proper permits - or not. Your questions should be made to the city inspector on Monday morning. The city inspector here is very receptive and helpful to someone who is proactive and wants to do the right thing. I think the guy was lenient on me since he realized I want to get it all brought up to code.

Your city may or may not be helpful.

Aisha Masood · Answer

@Michael King

Thank you Michael. So city inspector can check it after the fact and approve them as bedrooms even if the permits are not found. I guess on contrary if they say they do not qualify as bedroom, can the property still be advertised with those rooms as bedrooms since that’s how it’s being advertised right now.

Michael King · Answer

The city. But...

I called the city when I was buying my 4 plex to ask them about the property and outstanding code issues. The inspector was familiar with the property and said there was nothing outstanding. They do an annual inspection and this year, a new inspector goes through the place and finds multiple, obvious code violations. And work done without permits.

I would pay for a city inspector to check it. For my 4 plex it was $80 for him to go through the place.

Mark Cruse · Answer

Do you feel there is something wrong with the construction?

David M. · Answer

@Aisha Masood

Well if the municipality doesn’t have construction permits on record for them, that means it was never inspected.  They could have done it to code, maybe...

well, you said you looked for the info and it’s not there. We’re you looking with the municipality in their construction Dept?  Did you put in an OPRA request for the construction permit history?  If it’s not there it’s not there...  then there is no way to know without “opening up” the bedrooms/house to see how it was done (if you want to check every detail)

Aisha Masood · Answer

@David M.

Wholesaler said there was some work done in 2017 and there is no record of that when I tried to look up the information.

Aisha Masood · Answer

Thank you so much David. Yes, so the property I’m looking at has 2 additional bedrooms added in the attic area and I’m trying to see if they are up to code. I was able to find some permits for work done in 2011 in the house, but there is no mention of those 2 bedrooms. The wholesaler is not helpful in trying to provide the information on the permits for those 2 bedrooms. Before I put my money in this deal, I want to know those bedrooms are according to city permits.

David M. · Answer

@Aisha Masood

You'd need a home inspector or maybe a good contractor.  You could try submitting a OPRA request to see if permits were pulled (I'm assuming you are thinking the bedrooms were an addition).  What sort of code violations are you concerned about?

If its construction, you aren't really going to be able to tell as long as the walls are sealed up.  If you are worried about more general features like two modes of egress, closet, etc, that's just being familiar with your construction code for your State/area for what legally defines a bedroom.

I hope that helps.