I think the former owner will probably tell Maria to take it up with the City. A "not my fault" defense. She may have to take him to small claims court to recover the value of the lost permit. Just wondering if the parking in the area is so difficult that a valid permit to build a garage does add real value to the residence? Or whether its monetary value was discussed as part of the negotiations in arriving at the purchase price.

Now I wonder why the sewer line didn't show up on the survey? ( assuming the bank wanted one?)

I don't know anything about title insurance, but I don't think she has a claim there.

Maria is an employee in the Wastewater Dept who is supposed to call the owner of the house to inform him about the revoked permit.
Yes, the garage would add significant value to the house. A previous 'developer' walked away from the property and gave it back to the lender (who was the one who sold it to the current owner) after I explained to him that he couldn't build the garage he had planned on top of the sewer line. I assume he walked away because of the loss of value and difficulty in selling a property in this neighborhood without a garage.

so, you can fight city hall. good for you.

p.s. this whole thing should be a no-brainer; when i was a youngster, there was a vacant lot in the suburban development i grew up in. even we youngsters knew that there was a big sewer line under there, and... anyway.

Actually he did not fight city hall, he simply went and kept asking til he found the person with the will and authority to do something about an obvious mistake. Usually this will work. Getting angry with governmental officials is not the best strategy since they can give you a lot of trouble if you piss them off!;)

Got that right Tom.:)
Dyna's Life Rule Number 1: All life is human relations.;)

i agree. i was just referencing the old line, " you can't fight city hall."

politeness and courtesy work much better than anger and invective.

i'm a lover, not a fighter. :D

Kerry, are you sure there is a "Maria" working there?
Next time you ring them, ask to speak to her. She will be able to give you an update on things. :D

Pretty much describes any sitiation. I know of someone who had a hothead partner who pissed off the Fire Marshall. Suddenly, all kinds of violations appeared. Their dumpster was discovered to be too close and had to be moved far away, their stuff wasn't up to code, etc, etc. Coincidence?

I can say for sure you don't want to piss off the fire marshall.