Bought Home in Largo FL with unpermitted garage conversion HELP!

[Bryan S.]

Hello world!

So as you guessed from the title - I bought Home in Largo FL with an unpermitted garage conversion. I did the permit runs / checks to assure there was no open permits, but as learning the hard way they did not submit any applications, thus none were open.  

Has anyone dealt with this before / any advise? 

[Caroline Gerardo]

Do all the houses on the block have a garage to park a car or all have bootleg units? Appearance from the curb would have addressed the issue. Seller knew, listing agent knew. No open permits was wrong question. What does "township or county" show as legal square footage?? - that reveals the problem. If advertised as 1600 feet which includes the 150+ of garage then the seller lied.

I'm assuming the conversion appears to code, is insulated and electrical looks professional. 

You need a contractor who knows the planning desk guy's children's names. One who has done this 200 times. Contractor looks at electric panel, wiring in conversion, parking available in driveway, workmanship and can tell you what is needed to meet code. You pull permits with a site plan and architectural drawing (ask appraiser to use their drawing and add the details), fix it, then get the job card signed off. If in a dense block you might have to go through a public hearing about parking and density and whatever the neighbors want to complain about. Depends on location. Worst case the planning department makes you rip it out. You mention the "township" caught it so I assume you got a letter or red tag- DO NOT allow this to linger. 

I would be writing to listing agent about wanting money for their "mistake." cc the broker and the seller

here are forms do not call until you have a contractor in Largo look at the property https://www.largo.com/connect/...