What are my rights if I bought my house from a contractor that renovated the house after hurricane Katrina but he did not gets permits?
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What are my rights if I bought my house from a contractor that renovated the house after hurricane Katrina but he did not gets permits?
I bought my house 1 and 1/2 years ago from a contractor. I did my general and plumbing inspections on the house and was told all was good except for minor things. I closed on my house. One week ago I got a note on my door saying that I failed to get a final shoring inspection. I called and at first they said it would not be that big of a deal. They would just come out and see the property and give it an OK. After they researched it though they told me a plumbing permit was never done. Now I do not know if he got permits for anything. What can I do?
Asked on August 19, 2011 Louisiana
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If the work done on your home was done by a licensed contractor without the required permits, the contractor is responsible for all problems resulting from the absence of required permits concerning the improvements he or she did as to your home.
You just found out about the problem and potentially any applicable statute of limitations issues have not started running due to the delayed discovery of the problem.
You should call and write the contractor that did the work about what you discovered keeping a copy of the letter for future use. The contractor needs to be advised that he needs to rectify the problem immediately at his or her own cost and you need a written response as to intent by a certain date.
If you do not receive such, you need to contact an attorney practicing in contsruction law. Bring all documents concerning the work of improvement by this contractor including the contract with you to the meeting with the attorney.
Good luck.
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