Question about permits

**Alva** · 08-10-2011, 12:21 PM

Hi and thanks everyone in advance for the help.
My husband and I purchased a home in Maryland about 4 yrs ago.
One day an inspector stopped by and we discovered there were outstanding permits on the property including one for a porch that really is an entire addition enclosed in dry wall with heat, electric etc.
The permit apparantly was pulled in 1997 several owners ago.
When I spoke to the county today they told me my realtor or title company should have known about the outstanding permits prior to settlement.
I have googled and tried to find out this information to no avail.
This could cost us a lot of money.
Is there any recourse that we have?
We used a licensed realtor to purchase this home which was listed by a realtor and we paid to have a home inspection done.
We also are facing having to rip down a large shed on the property near a creek that might be in a flood zone and apparantly was also put up without a permit.
I found out today the electrical company that did the original work on the addition is out of business.
My guess is this is a live and learn, next house we buy we will check ourselves but if we have any type of recourse I will pursue it.
I don't want to sue the pants off of someone, just recoop the money we are laying out now to pay people to inspect, pull permits etc. because we plan to list the home for sale in the next few months.
I am hoping someone has some words of wisdom for me regarding this type of issue.
The County tells me this is not uncommon.

**Greg** · 08-11-2011, 05:15 AM

The only way to recoup your money would be to sue. The listing agent and the previous owner would be my first guess as to who to go after. But, with the work being done several owners ago you are going to have a hard time getting any money.

**Alva** · 08-13-2011, 10:09 PM

Thanks for the response. We figured that we would have to go to the previous owner who would work their way back.
Is anyone supposed to check for this as part of their job by law?

**jumpingspidermedia** · 08-16-2011, 07:56 PM

We figured that we would have to go to the previous owner who would work their way back.
Is anyone supposed to check for this as part of their job by law?

I guess there is. There should be a record of these,I suggest you'll inquire on your place!