bought a house but found the construction permit is missing

[Yong Lai]

Hi all,

I bought a house in Dec 2021. The house is a new build and close to Dallas downtown. Now I am trying to install solar panels on the roof and find out that the construction permit for the house wasn't completed. The city of Dallas notified me that the builder/seller pulled the construction permit in July 2021 but never completed it. Now the permit expired due to inactivity and based on their record, there is basically nothing built on the lot where my house sits. I contacted the seller but he simple doesn't respond. I contacted this seller last year regarding the house quality issue and he simply denied any responsibility although the house was still under one year warranty. What should I do in this situation? Should I go to the lawsuit route? 

thanks,

Yong

[Yong Lai]

Hi @Pete Harper, exactly, I called the title company but the person who handled the case wasn't available at time. Left a voice mail and am waiting for hearing back from them. It is a conventional mortgage, not all-cash. I called the city already, and the person who handled the permit pulled by the seller told me that the permit expired due to inactivity so basically there is not built on the lot based on his record. 

Hi @Mohammed Rahman, the title company is called National Title, I think it is through the builder/seller's vendors. The house was built on a lot where the old house was demolished. Not sure if that is why the bank didn't have problem with title search? Maybe they are using the old house's permit?

Right now I am just looking for lawyers to sue the seller, I am hoping to rescind the contract.