Selling Home With Unpermitted Work in Connecticut

Selling House With Unpermitted Work In Connecticut

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Published on June 16th, 2023

Joel Efosa

Author | Real Estate Investor



When you're looking to sell your house, making upgrades can be a fantastic strategy to increase value and draw in home buyers.


While you might believe that a makeover only involves completing the necessary labor, some projects need proper permits to proceed from the local building permit office.


If people buy houses without the necessary licenses, they may lose their marketability and the house buyer's ability to obtain financing. 


It is common for previous homeowners to intentionally skip permits and allow unpermitted work on their property since we believe that we can do whatever we want with our own homes.


Some previous homeowners are unaware that they were required to obtain a new permit for specific permits or that previously, unpermitted work performed without building permits was done on their property. This creates problems for new owners and mortgage companies. Even the minor electrical repairs count towards all the unpermitted work and all the repairs.

Permit Requirements In Connecticut

Different municipal agencies have additional rules, so permit requirements vary for building permits. Before beginning any unpermitted work, it is advisable to contact your local government to obtain permits. 


  • Permit required house improvements: 


  • Adding circuits for electricity 


  • Installing barriers higher than a specified height


  • House additions 


  • Any structural alterations 


  • Demolition 


You will require a permit if any of these unpermitted improvements are necessary for the safety of your home. Other repairs might seem like simple upkeep, but you need a permit in some places.

Smaller Initiatives That Might Require A Permit In Connecticut

  • Changing the sink 


  • Taking a tree down 


  • Creating walls 


  • Changing windows 


  • Changing doors 

Unpermitted Work Risks Include In Connecticut

Any buyer assumes liability for unpermitted work; in most jurisdictions, a seller is legally obligated to disclose such unpermitted work before closing. Unpermitted labor may cause some purchasers to drop their offer because they are uncomfortable.

They can withdraw their offer if they discover you tried to conceal something. 

Although it is uncommon, building inspectors occasionally demand that homeowners apply for a building permit for completed improvements in the past

That could entail spending money on costly repairs, hiring an architect, and code-compliant adjustments

Even if the unpermitted work was done before you moved in by previous owners, failing to disclose it to potential buyers could result in legal troubles if they learn about it after the fact.


Before you become overly concerned, remember that unpermitted work is common and that there are steps you may take to address it: 

What Should You Do If You Have Unpermitted Work (By A Previous Owner Or Yourself) In Connecticut?

You have two options: selling a house as-is or getting the addition's proper retroactive permits before you sell. Depending on the situation and prospective costs, either choice might be viable. 


Whatever you decide, one thing is undeniable. If you know that your house has been subject to unpermitted building, you are required by law to tell prospective buyers about the problem.


You will disclose this in a state-specific disclosure statement, which (in most states) typically asks the seller to disclose any known legal trouble or improper construction on the property. 

Selling Through A Real Estate Agent In Connecticut

Investment companies and property flippers always look for attractive offers on high-quality houses. Your house will be valuable to prospective buyers if the sole concern is the house with unpermitted work.


Professional property managers already have a repair budget and know how to pull permits retroactively.


Investors in real estate are constantly searching for a good bargain. They frequently take chances that the typical customer would not.


Why not seek an investor instead of listing and waiting forever for an offer? It will not be difficult for them to legalize unpermitted work. 


If the only problem is the house with unpermitted work, investment firms will snap it up. 


They hire a group of attorneys, real estate agents, and financial managers. They also have the money to fix any issues that are found.


Therefore, they are the ideal buyers for a house with unpermitted construction.

Selling The Unpermitted House “as-is” In Connecticut

If you're selling as-is with unpermitted work, disclosing the unpermitted work to the potential buyer is compulsory. Although selling your property as-is lowers the price and might not be ideal if you are willing to pay back a loan immediately, it is better than getting a meager price.


When you sell 'as-is', it signifies that it is being sold exactly as it is. In contrast to customary sales, the seller will make no repairs before closing. 


The market value decreases, which is the single drawback to this selling as is strategy. When prospective buyers enter the house, they anticipate finding something wrong with it. As a result, they make a reduced offer because they know they will have to pay to rectify the issue.

Give A Contingency For Repairs To Sell Your Unpermitted Work House In Connecticut

Rather than paying for the repairs yourself, offer a little discount on your house. You will not have to spend time doing repairs, and prospective home buyers will believe they are saving money on the house.


If you do not have enough time to fix the house with unpermitted work, consider including a repair contingency. 


You agree to forfeit a portion of the overall sale to fix the issue in this arrangement. In other words, a discount is offered to cover all the costs of repairs. 


It is likely that there may be some back and forth regarding all the costs. However, nothing can be resolved by effective negotiation. You can get extra advice and guarantee a smooth process. 

Get Retroactive Permits And Sell To A Real Estate Company In Connecticut

Homeowners intentionally skip permits. However, there is an option of taking another path. For unpermitted work that has already been completed, you can return to the city's building department or country and get a permit. 


The price of the retroactive permitting process will vary according to the size and expense of the building.


Retroactive permits are easy to get, but unpermitted work selling makes it challenging to keep track of permit history.


All the construction permits require time and money.


The works that require permits should always be done by obtaining the construction permits first.


Because after the work has been done, the process of retroactive permits is hectic. Get proper permits before you do anything with your house.


You might wish to employ a building inspector for the existing unpermitted work before heading to the city's building department to seek a building permit.


They will be able to estimate the cost of bringing it into compliance and have a general concept of how much has already been constructed per the requirements of the current building codes. 


The permit cost may be added if the inspector finds significant problems with the unpermitted work.


Hire a contractor or a company that deals in properties to inspect the unpermitted work and ensure it complies with the local building codes before pulling permits from local building authorities.


Obtaining permission before selling a house will help you receive the best price possible. If those up-front expenses are too high, it is time to negotiate and sell a house for the highest price you can get for it right now.

Tips On Selling A House To Private Home Buyers In Connecticut

Most purchasers will find it easy to find houses with unpermitted work and buy houses. There are, however, measures to improve the property's appeal. These tips will help you sell a house fast that has unpermitted work: 


Be Transparent:


It can be tempting to exclude non-permitted labor from disclosure documents. This is unpermitted, though, and it might get you into problems later. 


Be Honest:


Honesty is always the best policy in these circumstances. Enable purchasers to decide whether they are still interested after disclosing this information.


If that is the only problem, you will still receive fair offers. 


Obtain an Appraisal:


House with unpermitted work makes potential buyers wonder what else might be wrong. Obtaining a financial estimate for the necessary work can ease your concerns if the sole obstacle is unpermitted work.


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