Building permit issue 3 years before purchase

[IamLiam]

Hello,

We bought our condo back in June '05. Today I received a letter from the city of boston stating "Chapter 113.3 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LONG FORM PERMIT #1000 ISSUES 09/13/02 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ON REAR PORCHES. THE EXISTING WORK DONE IS UNSAFE AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE APPROVED DRAWINGS ON RECORD."

I found out back in 2002 the back porch of my building and the connecting building collappsed and they had to tear them down and replace them. My buildings was replaced and the one connected to ours is a temporary fire escape with construction supports.

The owner of the entire building at the time was the contractor who did the work as well and he still owns one unit in my building and one in the connecting building.

Who is responisible for this? Does my title insruance cover this somehow?

And if we do have to replace everything should I get a lawyer so the original owner who did not finish the work be responsible?

Thanks for the help.

Liam B.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by IamLiam

Hello,

We bought our condo back in June '05. Today I received a letter from the city of boston stating "Chapter 113.3 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LONG FORM PERMIT #1000 ISSUES 09/13/02 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ON REAR PORCHES. THE EXISTING WORK DONE IS UNSAFE AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE APPROVED DRAWINGS ON RECORD."

I found out back in 2002 the back porch of my building and the connecting building collappsed and they had to tear them down and replace them. My buildings was replaced and the one connected to ours is a temporary fire escape with construction supports.

The owner of the entire building at the time was the contractor who did the work as well and he still owns one unit in my building and one in the connecting building.

Who is responisible for this? Does my title insruance cover this somehow?

And if we do have to replace everything should I get a lawyer so the original owner who did not finish the work be responsible?

Thanks for the help.

Liam B.

**A: you, the HOA, the contractor and the Seller may be liable depending upon how your condo docs read. Hire the attorney like yesterday.