You want to make sure that the home you are buying is safe. You may need a certificate when you purchase a home. The CO is another name for a certificate of occupancy. The CO’s main purpose is to verify that a home is suitable for living.

Here are some more details about a certificate if occupancy.

The Basics

A certificate of occupancy (CO) is a document which certifies that a building, such as a home or office, can be occupied. The CO will include the legal classification of the property in terms zoning. The CO, for example, will state whether the property has a residential, retail, or industrial use. This means the property is used in its intended purpose. Residential property, for example, should be used as the primary residence.

A CO verifies that a property meets code and is in compliance.

Thirdly, a CO will show that the property meets the requirements of the municipality in which it is located.

The CO will also include the address of the property, its legal description, including the square footage, as well as the zoning codes, owner and any other relevant notes to the safety of the property.

When do you need a CO?

You will need to check local rules and circumstances before you can sell your house.

You’ll need a certificate if you have converted space. This could mean that you need a certificate if you are selling a multifamily home, but have converted it to a single family home. You’ll also need a CO if you are converting your business to a residence.

You’ll need an agent if you’ve done a lot to renovate your home.

It’s important to check if you need to get a CO before selling a house if you have done any remodeling.

You may have to do some work to bring your home up to code if you don’t have one and need it to sell.

You would need to include a CO in the sale of a newly built house.

Your home probably had a CO when it was built. If you haven’t done any major renovations, or if the building code hasn’t changed since your home was built, you can use this CO.

How do you get one?

You can contact the local building or zoning department if you need one. You should find contact information on the website of your city or town.

You can apply for an CO if you already own a home. You may need to submit architectural plans if the home has undergone extensive renovations, or if it was newly built.

If you need a CO then someone from the local government will have to inspect your home. This is not the same thing as a house inspection when you are doing a real-estate transaction.

The professional inspecting the building will compare it to the current codes and ensure that there are no violations. They will examine the general components of a building, as well as plumbing, electrical systems, fire safety and other minor elements.

You will receive a final report at the end.

You can proceed with the sale of the house if you have passed the inspection. If you fail, you will receive a list with what you need to fix within a certain time frame. After you have made the necessary repairs, you will be subjected to another inspection.

You might be unable to complete your purchase if you do not have a CO. This is because lenders will not provide financing for an unsafe home. Your municipality may also fine you or sue you if your home is not safe.

In some municipalities you will need to obtain a new certificate each time you rent or sell a home. Check with your local zoning or building authority if you’re not sure.

Original Blog: https://realtytimes.com/archives/item/1043057-what-is-a-certificate-of-occupancy?rtmpage=