What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina
We currently live in PA (since June 2010). We put up our home in Asheville NC for sale in 4/10, and it finally sold after 16 months, just enough to pay our mortgage with no proceeds remaining for us. The title should clear to the new owner within the next 24 hours. Yesterday, I just got a surprise certified letter from the county that I had done unpermitted additions to the house over the course of my 12 year residency and they want me to call them. I cannot deny that, since home handyman work has been a hobby all my life. Actually the square footage now shows 2400 on my real estate listing, when it only shows about 550 on the county and tax records when I purchased it in 1998.
First, I will disagree that it only was 550 when I bought it. The previous owner probably doubled it (or nearly so) before I bought it and I did not check the measurements. So that gives us 1000-1200 sq ft, he did not likely pull any permits either. All my additions (multiple projects) were under $5000 (which should be exempt), except for a 2 car garage with second story guest room and rear storage room, which would account for another 900 sq ft.
It was built originally detached (I never got a permit), but I closed in the narrow path/breezeway later so now it's legitimately attached.
The county is assuming the property is still in my name, and says they were "tipped off" by a prospective buyer. They say they can disconnect the utilities (being rural it's only electric/phone), charge for back permit fees/penalties, and possibly a class 1 misdemeanor. They did not mention it in the letter, but my understanding is that they could also go for back taxes for all the years the additions were not assessed.
I'm 57 now, we lost most of our work just before leaving NC, and now live under the poverty level with no financial assets and only unpredictable minor employment, but we do own a very humble 100+ year old small home worth around 50k in PA free and clear.
My questions: If the property is no longer in my name, can they come after me with a lawsuit and/or judgment for whatever they deem, or will it be the responsibility of the new owner to work out the reassessment and permitting issues/fines? He got the place for about half what it was worth. Hopefully, they will work with him well, as he is not to blame?
I know in PA if I did get some sort of judgment, they cannot attach wages here, but can they do anything to jeopardize the ownership of our current home here?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
We currently live in PA (since June 2010). We put up our home in Asheville NC for sale in 4/10, and it finally sold after 16 months, just enough to pay our mortgage with no proceeds remaining for us. The title should clear to the new owner within the next 24 hours. Yesterday, I just got a surprise certified letter from the county that I had done unpermitted additions to the house over the course of my 12 year residency and they want me to call them. I cannot deny that, since home handyman work has been a hobby all my life. Actually the square footage now shows 2400 on my real estate listing, when it only shows about 550 on the county and tax records when I purchased it in 1998.
First, I will disagree that it only was 550 when I bought it. The previous owner probably doubled it (or nearly so) before I bought it and I did not check the measurements. So that gives us 1000-1200 sq ft, he did not likely pull any permits either. All my additions (multiple projects) were under $5000 (which should be exempt), except for a 2 car garage with second story guest room and rear storage room, which would account for another 900 sq ft.
It was built originally detached (I never got a permit), but I closed in the narrow path/breezeway later so now it's legitimately attached.
The county is assuming the property is still in my name, and says they were "tipped off" by a prospective buyer. They say they can disconnect the utilities (being rural it's only electric/phone), charge for back permit fees/penalties, and possibly a class 1 misdemeanor. They did not mention it in the letter, but my understanding is that they could also go for back taxes for all the years the additions were not assessed.
I'm 57 now, we lost most of our work just before leaving NC, and now live under the poverty level with no financial assets and only unpredictable minor employment, but we do own a very humble 100+ year old small home worth around 50k in PA free and clear.
My questions: If the property is no longer in my name, can they come after me with a lawsuit and/or judgment for whatever they deem, or will it be the responsibility of the new owner to work out the reassessment and permitting issues/fines? He got the place for about half what it was worth. Hopefully, they will work with him well, as he is not to blame?
I know in PA if I did get some sort of judgment, they cannot attach wages here, but can they do anything to jeopardize the ownership of our current home here?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?