Skip to content
Buying & Selling Real Estate

User Stats

284
Posts
184
Votes
Alvin Uy
Pro Member
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Los Angeles
184
Votes |
284
Posts

Can an addition be permitted but not recorded ( Los Angeles)

Alvin Uy
Pro Member
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Los Angeles
Posted Jun 24 2019, 07:13

So I went to go look at a 2 Unit (duplex) today thats listed on the MLS. I noticed the square footage on title does not match square footage that I saw. The listing price per square foot includes the addition however. The owners (man and wife in their 70's) say the 2nd Unit (1bd/1ba) was built with permits for their daughter decades ago but was not recorded because owners did not want to pay additional property tax on the build. My realtor did some digging online and found permit of second unit on this property filed with city. I should also mention that the lot is zoned for up to 3 units, so I can still force appreciation by building a 3rd Unit, but would hate to have to tear down the 2nd unit if it wasnt truly permitted. So now im baffled by this and not sure what to offer... is this 2nd unit truly permitted but not recorded on title? I had no idea thats even possible to do.

User Stats

485
Posts
415
Votes
Brian Van Pelt
  • Specialist
  • Owings Mills, MD
415
Votes |
485
Posts
Brian Van Pelt
  • Specialist
  • Owings Mills, MD
Replied Jun 24 2019, 08:00

yes, but you will never know until you verify with the county.

User Stats

125
Posts
37
Votes
James You
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
37
Votes |
125
Posts
James You
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied Jun 25 2019, 08:53

check first with https://www.ladbsservices2.lacity.org/OnlineServices/

BiggerPockets logo
BiggerPockets
|
Sponsored
Find an investor-friendly agent in your market TODAY Get matched with our network of trusted, local, investor friendly agents in under 2 minutes