Q: I have a house with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. However 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom are not permitted (making my home a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom in the city records).

How can I sell my house for the 4-bedroom 2-bathroom price?

Will I get into trouble by having someone to inspect it? Will the city find out and cite me?

A: I think what you’re saying is that whenever someone added onto the house (perhaps it was you?) they didn’t pull the proper permits with the local city officials.

To sell that house, you’ll probably want to talk to the local building department to find out how they’d handle it. Most building departments will simply ask you to pay the permit fee and they will then issue it in arrears. There may be an inspection, or not.

If you’re saying that the tax assessor thinks you live in a 1-bedroom, 1-bath house and that is what your taxes are based on, that is another matter. It shouldn’t be a problem to list and sell your home.

Please consult with an attorney for more details.

June, 4, 2006.