Single Family Home turned into Unpermitted Triplex

[Kevin Nerio]

Hello all,

I'm currently in the process of purchasing a home. My sellers are going to pay off a hefty lien charge to the City due to doing unpermitted work on the house. It was a single-family home but they turned it into a 2bd/1br and 2 separate 1bd/1br studios so it really is a 4/3 (triplex). There are already tenants in the studios but odds are that the studios are not up to code. The sellers are giving me a 15K credit to get the house permitted correctly. Once they pay off the lien and I purchase the property, is the city going to make me get the house permitted or make me turn it back into a single-family home? Will the city give me a citation for the unpermitted work that the sellers did? What would be my best course of action before closing to be sure that purchasing this property won't end up being a mistake. After I receive all my credits, I will be getting the property for 55K under the appraised value. I'm a veteran using my VA loan for the first time. The property is located in west-miami shores unincorporated Miami-Dade and east of 95. I think it's a good deal but please let me know if you think otherwise.

Any advice on my next steps would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! 

Best Regards,

Kevin Nerio

[Bryan Hartlen]

You should be asking the city. Besides the fine, the current owners most likely have an obligation to return it to the original configuration.  You’re issue will be zoning first; is a triplex an option as currently zoned?  If it is then you’ll need to have their work inspected which could require minor or major changes. I’d call the permit office and ask if it’s possible to have someone come look at the property (most likely for a fee) - but you’ll at least know what you’re up against before you sign.