What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ
Howdy!
I bought a house in 1987 as a rental investment. The former owner made a few "illegal" improvements, which includes an attached garage converted into living space. A former town police officer, he did not get any permits.
An unhappy tenant recently complained to the town about a minor problem. The town inspector did some snooping around and discovered there were no records in the town books for any of the building improvements. The inspector immediately shut the building down until the situation is rectified.
The former owner can not be located. I have no records of any improvements made. The tax records show certain exterior improvements were made, but do not go into detail. All taxes were paid for years for the living space. The town Planner will not grant me permission to use the converted garage space (he told me so!).
An architect hired to inspect a staircase told me there is a law provision that has something to do with time gone by and building improvements. He said he recalled something about a law that if a building improvement was used over a certain amount of time without being contested by the town, the owner could continue to keep using it that way. He said he thought it was 20 years. However, he could not remember the law or the provisions. Can anyone help?
Thanks!
Howdy!
I bought a house in 1987 as a rental investment. The former owner made a few "illegal" improvements, which includes an attached garage converted into living space. A former town police officer, he did not get any permits.
An unhappy tenant recently complained to the town about a minor problem. The town inspector did some snooping around and discovered there were no records in the town books for any of the building improvements. The inspector immediately shut the building down until the situation is rectified.
The former owner can not be located. I have no records of any improvements made. The tax records show certain exterior improvements were made, but do not go into detail. All taxes were paid for years for the living space. The town Planner will not grant me permission to use the converted garage space (he told me so!).
An architect hired to inspect a staircase told me there is a law provision that has something to do with time gone by and building improvements. He said he recalled something about a law that if a building improvement was used over a certain amount of time without being contested by the town, the owner could continue to keep using it that way. He said he thought it was 20 years. However, he could not remember the law or the provisions. Can anyone help?
Thanks!