How to find out if a garage was build legally

[John T.]

Hi there , 

I am considering one deal in the east side,a SFH and base on what I saw , I am starting to think that the garage was not originally build when the house was . So now I am in doubt if that garage has a legal Building permit on it . How can I find out this in Indianapolis ?
I looked at the propery card tax record , and certainly the garage is listed there . But it is really look like it was constructed afterward , and actually I do not think it was a great job.

I am actually really curious to find out how can I verify this things by myself. I think I read in some place that there is phone number in the city department that could Check this info by me on the phone, since is public records, but honestly I am a little bit lost in this . I hope some of the seasoned investors in Indy or agents , or anybody that know how to check this can help me out and let me know what’s the procedure, and share some tips on it 

     I would appreciate that a lot .

    Thank you so much everyone,

[Justin Polston]

@Juan T. By no means legal advice. Not a lawyer. But possible outcome...

This is one of those "old house" things. If taxes are assessed on the property for a higher amount as having a garage and city has been recognizing the existence of the garage, it just becomes grandfathered at some point. If the garage appears somewhat newer and you can go back on tax records within past 7 years and find the existence of the garage, then I would be a little more worried.

If this home has been bought and sold 25x in past 50 years and believe the garage is just as old, where does the burden of proving the garage was or wasn't built legally stop and start?

Get title insurance and if it's not listed as a potential exception and not encroaching, I would move forward if it's a formidable garage. You could maybe need to have it inspected, make some repairs, and pay a permit fee as best case. Worst case is tear down...

Again if it's more of a liability anyway, then get that quote to teardown.