Can I get in trouble for unpermitted work done by a previous owner?

Yes, you can face consequences for unpermitted work done by previous owners in Ottawa, even though you didn't do the work yourself. The City of Ottawa Building Code Services treats unpermitted work as a property issue that "runs with the land," meaning it becomes your responsibility as the current owner.

When the City of Ottawa discovers unpermitted work on your property, they'll issue a compliance order requiring you to either obtain retroactive permits or remove/modify the work to meet code. This can happen during routine inspections, neighbor complaints, insurance claims, or when you apply for new permits. The city doesn't distinguish between work you did versus previous owners - they just want the property brought into compliance.

The most common scenarios where this becomes problematic include finished basements without permits, electrical work not inspected by ESA, unpermitted additions or structural changes, and bathroom or kitchen renovations done without permits. If you're selling your home, buyers' home inspectors often flag potential unpermitted work, which can derail sales or force price reductions.

Your options when facing this situation include applying for retroactive permits through City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424). This involves having the work inspected and potentially modified to meet current Ontario Building Code standards. You might need to open up walls for electrical or plumbing inspections, which can be expensive. Alternatively, you could remove or modify the unpermitted work to bring it into compliance.

The costs can be significant - retroactive permits often cost more than original permits, plus you'll pay for any required modifications, ESA electrical inspections if needed, and potential TSSA gas inspections. Some work may need complete reconstruction if it doesn't meet code standards.

To protect yourself when buying, always ask sellers about permits for any renovations and request permit documentation. Have a thorough home inspection that specifically looks for unpermitted work. Consider making your offer conditional on verification of permits for major renovations. You can verify permits yourself by calling City of Ottawa Building Code Services with the property address.

For electrical work specifically, check ESA records at esasafe.com to see if proper electrical permits were obtained. Any electrical work in Ontario requires ESA inspection, and missing this can be both a safety and legal issue.

If you discover unpermitted work on your property, contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services early rather than hoping it won't be discovered. They're generally more cooperative when you're proactive about compliance rather than reactive to enforcement action.

The bottom line: unpermitted work is a property defect that becomes your responsibility as the owner, regardless of who did it. Budget for potential compliance costs and always verify permits when buying in Ottawa.