If my house was built in 1970 do i have to update to the building codes of today or is my house grandfathered in?
2007-08-06 13:04:58 · 4 answers · asked by much_brighter_days 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
What if I want to use my finished basement as a bedroom w/ a bathroom?
2007-08-06 13:28:42 · update #1
It depends upon your local building codes and state regulations. Some homes are grandfathered until any work is done on them, some until they are damaged by over 50% of their value, some for a set number of years. There is no way to tell you without reading the applicable state laws and your local code. Your local building department can tell you what ordinance to look up, they may also be able to tell you the state statute (if any) is applicable.
2007-08-06 13:50:35 · answer #1 · answered by mcmufin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Normally you are grandfathered unless you undertake any repairs or improvements to the home. Those would need to be done to the current code.
One item to watch out for is your homeowners insurance. Make sure that it has a code compliance clause! If you have a claim such as a fire or storm damage the repairs will probably need to be done to the current code. That can often result in significant extra cost to you if your insurance policy does not have a code compliance clause. This is especially true for changes to the structural codes, such as hurricane standards in coastal regions.
2007-08-06 20:12:13 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In most cases, you will not have to upgrade until you do maintenance or repairs. As an example, if you decide to update your electrical system, it will have to be upgraded to the codes in effect now. The same applies to other work being performed.
Generally speaking, however, if you make no renovations/changes/repairs, you are allowed to keep the house as it was built to the codes in effect at the time of construction.
2007-08-06 20:09:00 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In real estate and because of our constitution, any new laws that affect any existing laws are considered new laws not affecting old laws in effect grandfathering the old laws as they affect you now and not allowing you to have to meet the requirements under the new laws. However most jurisdictions state that if you do change the use or want to update the conditions of the premises you will then lose the grandfather clause and the new laws apply. Check your zoning codes
Zoning Codes in various counties
http://www.municode.com/resources/code_list.asp?stateID=4
Best of luck to you
2007-08-06 20:36:49 · answer #4 · answered by newmexicorealestateforms 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋