Are you a real estate attorney state? If you are, reach out to your attorney that you closed with. If not, you may need to contact one. This might be a title issue.
Tracy said:
Are you a real estate attorney state? If you are, reach out to your attorney that you closed with. If not, you may need to contact one. This might be a title issue.
Not in a real estate attorney state but will reach out to one. Thanks.
If this happened in CA, occupancy certifications are handled by local authorities. Not always required. Permits are not always required for sale and it’s up to the buyer to verify. Lack of occupancy COULD be an oversight by title & escrow, but fact is, you closed. So what happens now is, yes, you for sure fix the gas leak for safety. Yes, you pay for the cert of occupancy, permits, etc. If you want reimbursement, open conversation with your own agent and flipper. Communicate and determine if they will cooperate. See where that gets you. Not happy with that response? Hire an attorney. I’m not an attorney. No other way I see. Of course, keep all records. Likely, atty would evaluate the strength of your case. Also might recommend you name all parties involved to see where you win funds from. Flipper/agent might not have known was not installed properly, but should have known occupancy cert was required. Should have been caught by title or escrow, but things happen. You would need advice from a real estate attorney.
Appreciate it. Thanks.
Never buy a flip.
Jory said:
Never buy a flip.
Now that’s a useful comment for this guy!
Rent em out.
You urgently need a real estate attorney to guide you through the laws in your state. While you’re reaching out to them, look over all the disclosures in your contract to see if you just missed it or if they deliberately withheld the information. If you had a real estate attorney who handled the closing, they dropped the ball and potentially the title company did as well. First step is the attorney because the city/county will make you move out until it passes final inspection.
Get a lawyer and sue.
This specific issue should be addressed by an attorney, not Reddit.
Thanks. That’s why I came here. To figure out where to turn. Not to have people solve it.
Simply contact a Real Estate Atty. You mentioned you have closed on your property and the transaction is complete. More than likely, your Buyer Agent along with the Listing Agent and their Broker will most likely avoid addressing this issue and send it to the legal department for further review.
Did the seller ever pull a permit?
You obviously didn’t have a lawyer. Sorry about the issues you are facing.
Nico said:
You obviously didn’t have a lawyer. Sorry about the issues you are facing.
No - not required here and didn’t really think I needed one. Valuable lesson learned.
Not sure what difference having a lawyer would have made in this situation. Your realtor should have looked into it. And they should be helping you now. Call their broker, if you need to.
Lawyers have insurance. If they mess up, you are covered. Also, the certificate of occupancy is one of the first things lawyers ask for.
Hire a lawyer immediately.
Didn’t you have an inspection? This should have all come out then. It should have also been on the disclosures.
Dallas said:
Didn’t you have an inspection? This should have all come out then. It should have also been on the disclosures.
It should’ve, yes. As the OP states, there was an inspection.