When buying or selling a property in Florida, one step often gets overlooked—permit searches. These records may seem small, but they can reveal problems that delay deals, raise costs, or trigger legal headaches. Let’s look at the most common issues uncovered during permit searches and how they affect transactions in Florida real estate.
Open Permits That Were Never Closed
One of the most frequent problems is open permits. These are permits that were pulled but never finalized with a closing inspection. They often come from work that was completed without proper follow-up. For example, a homeowner might have installed a new roof but failed to schedule the final inspection. On paper, the job remains incomplete.
Open permits stay with the property, not the owner. That means buyers inherit the issue—and the responsibility. Resolving an open permit may require inspections, repairs, or even redoing the work, which could delay the sale and add extra costs.
Expired Permits That Still Show on Record
Some permits were never closed and have since expired. This can happen when a contractor stops working mid-project or a homeowner changes plans. These expired permits stay visible in the building department’s database and must be addressed before closing.
Clearing expired permits isn’t always simple. Some jurisdictions may ask for updated plans or inspections. This process can take time and might require the buyer or seller to pay additional fees to bring everything up to the current code.
Unpermitted Work That Raises Red Flags
Homes with major upgrades—like added rooms, new plumbing, or remodeled kitchens—should have permits to back the work. If those records are missing, it could mean the improvements were made without approval, which creates concerns about safety, code violations, and insurance issues.
Some municipalities can issue fines for unpermitted work, and in rare cases, they may order the removal of the additions. Title companies often flag these problems, and buyers may walk away if they’re not resolved quickly.
Incomplete Contractor Work
Permit records sometimes show projects that were started by licensed professionals but never finished. A homeowner might have hired a contractor to do electrical upgrades, only for the project to stop halfway. These situations can lead to open inspections, unsafe wiring, or work that doesn’t meet the code.
Buyers usually want to avoid inheriting half-done renovations. Lien search providers look for clues in permit records to flag these risks early.
Conflicts Between Permit Records and Property Details
Permit records often show details that don’t match the actual structure. A home might include a second-floor balcony, but the local building office has no record of its construction. Some records might list just one bathroom, while the property has two.
These mismatches slow down appraisals, raise zoning questions, and create title concerns. Local offices may require inspections or extra paperwork to fix the errors. Buyers and sellers must deal with these issues before closing can move forward.
Delays Due to Missing Inspections
Permit records show if contractors completed all required inspections. Projects like HVAC installations or plumbing upgrades often need several inspection steps. If even one phase is missing, officials may treat the permit as incomplete. Some cities block title transfers until inspectors finish and approve every step. Buyers and sellers must resolve these gaps before moving ahead.
If you’re buying or selling property in Florida, make sure to conduct a thorough permit search to avoid costly delays and issues. At Florida Lien Search, Inc., we specialize in uncovering permit-related problems that could impact your real estate transaction. Contact us today to get started and to have a smooth closing process.