Can I sell my house if there was unpermitted electrical work?

Yes, you can sell your house with unpermitted electrical work in Ottawa, but you'll need to address it during the sale process to avoid complications and protect both yourself and the buyer.

Here's what you need to know about selling with unpermitted electrical work in Ottawa:

Disclosure Requirements

Under Ontario law, you must disclose known unpermitted electrical work on your Property Condition Statement. Failing to disclose can lead to legal issues after the sale, including the buyer demanding compensation or even unwinding the transaction. Be upfront about any electrical work that wasn't properly permitted through the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).

Your Options Before Listing

The cleanest approach is to get the work properly inspected and brought up to code before listing. Contact a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) who can assess the work and determine what's needed. They can pull an ESA permit for inspection if the work meets current electrical code standards. You can verify contractors at licensing.esasafe.com.

If the unpermitted work doesn't meet code, you'll need to have it corrected by a licensed electrician, then get ESA inspection and approval. The ESA inspection fee is typically $100-200, and you can reach them at 1-877-372-7233.

During the Sale Process

Many buyers will request a home inspection, and qualified inspectors will identify unpermitted electrical work. Be prepared for buyers to either request repairs, ask for a credit toward fixing the issues, or potentially walk away from the deal. Having documentation ready showing you've addressed the problem demonstrates good faith.

Some buyers, particularly investors or those planning major renovations, may be willing to purchase knowing about the unpermitted work and handle it themselves. However, most residential buyers prefer everything to be properly permitted and up to code.

Legal and Insurance Considerations

Unpermitted electrical work can create insurance complications for buyers. Many insurance companies require confirmation that electrical work was done to code and properly inspected. This gives buyers additional motivation to ensure everything is properly documented before closing.

Your real estate lawyer will also advise on proper disclosure language in the purchase agreement to protect you from future liability claims.

Getting Help in Ottawa

Contact the City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 if you need guidance on what permits might have been required. For electrical work specifically, the ESA contractor locator at esasafe.com can help you find qualified professionals to assess and correct any issues.

The key is transparency and addressing the issue proactively rather than hoping it won't come up during the sale process.