Freedom Of Information Request (FOIA)

[Kenneth Garrett]

When buying property as part of my due diligence I always submit a FOIA request to the government agency that has jurisdiction (city, county, etc).  The information is accurate for the most part and free.  Majority of forms are on agencies web site.  Here is a lit of what I ask for:

1. Are there any outstanding liens, judgments or fines owed?
2. Are there any code violations on the property?  
3. Are there any outstanding water bills?
4. Provide a list of the water billing for the past 12 months.
5. Is there a separate fee for sewer, refuse, etc and if so, what is the rate?
6. Copy of a plat of survey?
7. Copy of septic drawing if this applies?
8. Copy of past building permits and are they closed?
9. I will retrieve the real estate taxes off of the county website.  If need be I will FOIA this as well.
10. Some FOIA's will require different agencies, ie, Health Department, Building Department, Water, etc.

Hope this helps.  It has served me well even if it only verified information I was given by the seller. On one occasion I had an outstanding bill from the grass being cut by the city.  It was 8 years old.  With the interest it was $1100.  Without the FOIA I would have been stuck.  The lien was not recorded because when you go to the city to have the water turned on that is when they tell you.  I have city's by me that automatically turn the water off when a sale occurs to force you to contact them.  Just an example.

Good Luck.