Buying a house with extensions built without permits.

Dion_M said:
has the approvals from the HOA
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Means nothing. HOA has no power over what the municipality would do.

Then I bet its approval with a clause e.g Approved extension is only valid if approved by municipality. For that matter the HOA apporval may not even be valid anymore if they added a time limit to get municipality approval
 
Spacerat said:
Run away.. The changes might not be up to latest codes. Meaning that the alterations may be illegal and then you have to either spend more money to bring them up to code or even worst case demolish.
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Yep....run.....no matter how good the deal is, how you heart is set on property. Not worth the potential shitfest you are opening yourself to.
 
Dion_M said:
Hi Bud. Did you manage to get the extensions approved?

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread. Facing a samiliar situation. Considering putting an OTP on a place but seller has disclosed that his plans aren't updated and says he is not willing to get them updated but has the approvals from the HOA and plans from the architect.

Just wondering what the costs are if I have to get this done after taking ownership and also if the banks will even approve a bond without the approved plans. Thanks
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Don't tell the bank. Don't get the plans updated. Don't stress about it.
 
Decided to go ahead with an offer, but on condition that the plans are updated and approved. My offer was swiftly declined lol So I think i will move on. The search continues....
 
Also take a builder or engineer into the roof of the house with you. You need to make sure that where alterations have been made, that all the roof trusses are supported and according to regulation. We bought a house that was made into open plan, and the guy who did the modifications only supported the roof with lintels. We paid a pretty penny to have the correct beams inserted.
 
rietrot said:
For what?
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I'm sure you joking, though it's a risk thing ... no insurance will pay out in the event the house burns down or collapses etc. and there are no up to date plans
 
DCS said:
I'm sure you joking, though it's a risk thing ... no insurance will pay out in the event the house burns down or collapses etc. and there are no up to date plans
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Depends on what it was. Everything is a risk.
 
Spacerat said:
what do you mean for what?
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Like was it a car port or retaining wall? Also interested as just sold our house and went through a R30k rigmaral getting car ports, verandah, granny flats and a retaining wall on plan so as to sell without any issues

Also no up to date plans and the deeds office has every right (if they find out) to reject the transfer until plans are done... obviously if occupational rent is taken and it's not to the buyers favour it won't end well...
 
DCS said:
Like was it a car port or retaining wall? Also interested as just sold our house and went through a R30k rigmaral getting car ports, verandah, granny flats and a retaining wall on plan so as to sell without any issues

Also no up to date plans and the deeds office has every right (if they find out) to reject the transfer until plans are done... obviously if occupational rent is taken and it's not to the buyers favour it won't end well...
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Original owner deviated from the approved plan when bulding. He lodged changed plans but did not pay scrutiny fees. He completed building according to updated plan and somehow got occupational cert. somehow all subsequent owners got away with it. We got hauled to court because of unapproved changes as updated plans were never approved. Was for additional bathroom

Edit: neighbour was buddies with one of the Blouberg building officials. He deviated major from his plans to the extent that I objected. Got away with it. Depends on who you know and how corrupt your buddy is.
 
If your parents really want the property, sign a OTP, but in the conditions says, you want approved building plans and certificates (as easy as that).

Something new in the last 15 years, a plumbers certificate is now also an requirement
 
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Interesting thread, as this is affecting me now.

I'm in a full title complex and the other day, opened my blinds to a 2.3m 40sqm 'car port' installed at my neighbor. It's about 1m from the boundary wall and sticks up around 0.5m due to height.

He's built a pool under this.

I've asked him to supply council approved plans, so the actual thing I need is the certificate?
 
Dolby said:
Interesting thread, as this is affecting me now.

I'm in a full title complex and the other day, opened my blinds to a 2.3m 40sqm 'car port' installed at my neighbor. It's about 1m from the boundary wall and sticks up around 0.5m due to height.

He's built a pool under this.

I've asked him to supply council approved plans, so the actual thing I need is the certificate?
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The certificate won't show what was approved.
 
rodga said:
The certificate won't show what was approved.
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So I want to see approved / signed off plans ?

What happened as soon as I saw it, is that I approached our directors who said they gave permission for the pool - but not the structure. He now needs to get the neighbors approval, but I'm still saying I want to see the council plans first.
 
Dolby said:
Interesting thread, as this is affecting me now.

I'm in a full title complex and the other day, opened my blinds to a 2.3m 40sqm 'car port' installed at my neighbor. It's about 1m from the boundary wall and sticks up around 0.5m due to height.

He's built a pool under this.

I've asked him to supply council approved plans, so the actual thing I need is the certificate?
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I have the same issue. The new owners next door (full title property), they build a laundry (using the boundary wall), with ELEC going along the wall (on their side). Just to clarify, they bought it with the laundry already build on. As the previous owners saw that as a nice "perk" ... bigger house, more value etc

I wonder how in heavens name did the council approve that "buy" ! I would love to see the documents !

I am going to raise it with the council, as it looks bad firstly ! Secondly, waking up next to a washing machine aint fun either !

:mad:
 
zerocool2009 said:
I wonder how in heavens name did the council approve that "buy" ! I would love to see the documents !
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Council does not check what is actually built, they are just interested in having the tax/municipal account not lapse.

Building over the building line is not allowed without explicit approval, read the following: Building lines

If you complain to the building inspector long enough he/she may come out and check if everything has approval according to filed plan. Be warned this is a double edged sword your own property would first be scrutinized before the one you are complaining about.
 
Dolby said:
So I want to see approved / signed off plans ?

What happened as soon as I saw it, is that I approached our directors who said they gave permission for the pool - but not the structure. He now needs to get the neighbors approval, but I'm still saying I want to see the council plans first.
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Yes that's correct. The plans will indicate the pool and structure if they have been submitted.

Which directors are you referring to?
 
rodga said:
Yes that's correct. The plans will indicate the pool and structure if they have been submitted.

Which directors are you referring to?
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My body corporate or HOA.

They just say 'get the signed approval from your neighbors'... After that, they're happy.
 
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