@Cassie Chunif your local planning department has already admitted they may have lost the permit after a hurricane, I'd go ahead with the deal.

But even the most successful person he is probably more like a Fortune 50,000 company...which is orders of magnitude apart from where your friend was.People associate with others of like mind and drive, so more than anything I would encourage you to foster relationships with close business associates of your departed friend. 

@Loni AndersonFiduciary duties imply compliance departments.

If there are more than 7 units than it also needs to be connected to the fire department.

There is usually some prep (and expense) needed for fire departments to use your house.

Start with the county website: http://jacksoncountyor.org/Departments/Information-Technology/Property-Data-Online

We did a major reno on the 2nd duplex a few years ago, and at the time I inquired with the city building department about possibly finishing the attic to convert into a legal 3 family.

Hi there, I recently purchased a rental property in Akron, Oh and to my surprise, I just received a letter from the department of neighborhood assistance that the seller had prior violations he needed to comply to , housing codes, 9 violations, that the title company and the broker claim they were not aware of.What do you suggest?

Best if you check with the City planning and building department with your APN and start there.

What @Nathan G. and @Aaron K. said.California Department of Real Estate has a fund setup to assist people that have been defrauded by licensed agents.DRE Websites:http://www.dre.ca.gov/consumers/Verify license and if any actions have been taken against an agent.http://www2.dre.ca.gov/PublicASP/pplinfo.asp