I can’t understand the Code Violations

[Simone Johnson]

I have a home that has an absentee owner... it was wholesaled this year... keeps getting code violations...

I could live in this house as my first home and hack. It’s boarded up... still nice with needed rehabbing of course. Built in the 90’s.

I received the code enforcement violations, but I can’t understand it! 😩 Who do I take them to who would know? I want to know what they are? The fines? Cost of repairs? Is it worth it? Thank you.

[Pat L.]

Originally posted by @Nick Rutkowski:

@Simone Johnson

Go to your code enforcement office and have them explain it. Get face to face with the code enforcement officer and ask them how they would like it dealt with. Become friends with code enforcement, they’ll let things slide if you’re buddy buddy and they know you’re on their team. But not the violations you’re already served with! Fix it and they will stop bugging you.

Take a dozen donuts !!! I sent the wife with our own farm fresh eggs by the dozen & created a quasi-friendly, working relationship with our town dictatorship. We were forgiven on some archived 14 yr old unsigned/un-inspected permits but we still had a lot of work to do to bring the property up to IRC-2018 code. But it was worth it!!!

From experience if a building has been vacant for some time the gas lines need to be pressure tested, if the electrical meters are locked out or removed they need to have an ESOP once inspected & the required permit(s) signed off. There could be an outbuilding condemned or roof in bad repair, steps, deck railings not to code etc etc. If the water has been shut off some towns are requiring new lines (at your expense) from their mains to eliminate the lead pipe hook-ups they installed back in the dark ages. There could also be outstanding violations for unpaid city imposed grass cutting/trash removal etc etc. Remember to compensate yourself for these code violations/fines on the purchase $$$ agreement as it can be expensive to rectify. 

Have fun!!