Un-Permitted work and getting rental license

[Bethany Johnson]

When you apply for a rental license do they look for un-permitted work? I’m new to the rental game as I’m sure my question shows my newbie status. 
Reason I’m asking this question is; I bought our first house a 1915 duplex 6 yrs ago. We lived in it as a single family residence and over the years of things that looked like they had been renovated started failing… we realized the owner before seemed to have a slap it together cheaply himself mentality. So I’m worried that there might be a bunch of stuff that’s not permitted.  I’ve heard horror stories of people who have to tear apart their house because of work that wasn’t permitted.

I’m wanting to buy another home and rent this out as a duplex but I’m worried that if I apply for a rental license or anything that’s dealing with the city, they might find something that’s not permitted and we’ll be stuck with a hefty bill. Is this a realistic concern? Or are there ways to prevent this? Is there a list of what they are looking for when you apply for a rental license? 

This duplex is in a very desirable neighborhood so it will make conservatively 600-$1000 each month in positive cash flow. So I really want to keep this as a rental. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

- 

[Andrew Syrios]

Our experience with rental licenses in various municipalities throughout Kansas City is that they really don't look for any permit violations at all. It's just basic health and safety issues. Now, this likely varies a lot by location. I suspect in places like San Francisco, it's Godawful. But here at least, it's not very bad