Building Permits and Due Process

[lenkevy]

Someone reported to the police that our garage was converted to living space, possibly without permits. As a result, I've had to meet with police, allow them to come into my home, file reports and pay money. The process doesn't seem legal or fair because there was no basis for the report. Here is why:

I live in the house that I was born and raised in. My parents purchased it 47 years ago, and I bought it from them abut 17 years ago. The garage was converted to living space before my parents bought the place. No work has been done in years.

If the police are going to demand that they have entry to my home for inspection and have me file reports, shouldn't there be a valid reason for doing so, other than someone filed that there was a possible code violation on a garage conversion completed 50 years ago? Their answer, to me, by the way, is they follow up on all reports and don't judge the merit.

(Side note: They haven't determined yet whether the permits are in order.)What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Last question, they also tell me that I can not find out who made the report. Shouldn't I be able to find out who an accuser is?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by lenkevy

Someone reported to the police that our garage was converted to living space, possibly without permits. As a result, I've had to meet with police, allow them to come into my home, file reports and pay money. The process doesn't seem legal or fair because there was no basis for the report. Here is why:

I live in the house that I was born and raised in. My parents purchased it 47 years ago, and I bought it from them abut 17 years ago. The garage was converted to living space before my parents bought the place. No work has been done in years.

If the police are going to demand that they have entry to my home for inspection and have me file reports, shouldn't there be a valid reason for doing so, other than someone filed that there was a possible code violation on a garage conversion completed 50 years ago? Their answer, to me, by the way, is they follow up on all reports and don't judge the merit.

(Side note: They haven't determined yet whether the permits are in order.)What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Last question, they also tell me that I can not find out who made the report. Shouldn't I be able to find out who an accuser is?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

**A: since you live outside of the US, yes the police can do that.

[VinnieL]

it will be your responsibility to prove that the conversion existed before you bought the house from your parents. you will need some proof the day this conversation was completed. some times twp are not entiteled to give you name and address similarly you can also file complain annoymously