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 of occupancy.

The Basics

A certificate of occupancy (CO) is a document that certifies that a building, such as a home or office, can be occupied. The CO will include the property’s legal zoning classification. The CO, for example, will state whether the property is used for residential, retail, or industrial purposes. 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. If you need help understanding this process, please contact an agent at Preferred Properties of Texas.

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 property address, its legal description (including square footage), the zoning codes, the owner, and any other relevant notes related 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 of renovating to your home.

It’s important to check whether you need 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 when selling 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 your city or town’s website.

https://www.stephenvilletx.gov/You can apply for a CO if you already own a home. You may need to submit architectural plans if the home has undergone extensive renovations or was newly built.

If you need a CO, a local government official must inspect your home. This is not the same as a house inspection during 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 of what you need to fix within a certain time frame. After you have made the necessary repairs, you will undergo another inspection.

You may not be able to complete your purchase without a CO, since 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.

Contact Case Horton, Broker/Owner at Preferred Properties of Texas, an expert to help walk you through the process of buying real estate in Stephenville, TX

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