If you are looking to purchase real estate, it is essential that you make sure it is up to code before you buy it. Otherwise, you could find yourself spending a lot of extra money to repair potential code violations after the fact. Here are seven building code violations you should watch out for in any real estate transaction:
- Unsafe stairwells
- Many older houses lack common features of modern stairwells that are meant to prevent accidental falls, such as banisters, balusters, or handrails. If a stairwell is not safe to walk up, that can be considered a type of code violation.
- Lack of ventilation
- Every property should be properly ventilated to ensure smoke and steam can safely escape. This is especially important for a bathroom or kitchen, where a failure to install ventilation may be considered the basis for code violations.
- Lack of heating/cooling
- It is considered commonplace for homes today to have heating and cooling systems to ensure a house is kept at a safe and comfortable temperature. If these systems are not present, or are in bad repair, the home may not be considered safe for habitation.
- Lack of smoke detectors
- Fires can happen at any time, and smoke detectors help to alert residents of a potential house fire, giving them a chance to put it out or escape. If there are no smoke detectors, or they are not functioning for some reason, it may be considered a code violation.
- Old or dilapidated windows
- These types of code violations come about due to windows that are old or in poor repair. They may not be made of safety glass, or may not be properly sealed in, decreasing energy efficiency and increasing the risk of an accident if the glass is damaged.
- Presence of toxic materials
- If a particular house is old or was improperly constructed, it may have toxic building materials like lead, mercury, or asbestos present. This can not only lead to code violations, it can also require costly repairs and abatement to make your home safe for habitation.
- DIY or unlicensed construction
- Some people will hire unlicensed contractors to perform construction or renovations on their home, or worse, try to handle it themselves. While this is often cheaper than hiring a licensed contractor, it is also extremely likely to lead to code violations.
At David J. Lorber & Associates, PLLC, we assist clients throughout New York who are looking to buy or sell real estate. We will guide you through the process and help you minimize your legal and financial risks. Call us at (631) 750-0900 or contact us online to schedule your Free consultation at our Setauket office.
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