New2Workin said:The home that I am in contract with contains an unwarranted in-law (typical in the San Francisco Sunset district). How will this affect my ability to obtain homeowners insurance? Does the insurer go into the home after the homeowner's insurance is issued? If so, does the mere fact that there is an in-law disqualify me from the policy if anything happens?

Thanks!

I don't know about homeowners, but I would kick her out. Once you own the house, you don't have to let her keep living there.

By in law I meant unwarranted room in the basement area.

SUCKISSTAPLES said:Edit the title to say in law **QUARTERS

WalStMonky said:drobins9 said:I don't know about homeowners, but I would kick her out. Once you own the house, you don't have to let her keep living there.

I must say my household efficiency suffered terribly when the old battle ax croaked. She did a lot of work around the house. <sigh> Wish she had passed that obsession on to the wife. Oh well what are you going to do? Messy homes don't clean themselves up, so I guess we just live with them. Maybe I should start advertising a room for rent at the OCD support group.

greataupair.com

(Aka pick a third world slave to service your home and other things)

Unpermitted additions will not be covered by the typical insurance policy.

You could have the city inspect it, possibly bring it up to code as needed, pay for permits, and then the city and county records will include your new squarefootage/ room count. As a nice side effect, your property tax will be adjusted upwards as well.
This would be good in case of a future resale.

Or you could leave it without permits, and get a specialized insurance that is willing to cover unpermitted additions, for a little more premium.

-Peter

SUCKISSTAPLES said:Property tax should not go up, because he is buying the home now and the purchase price is FMV.


well, I did not expect the original poster to do this right away. Maybe some time in the future. Then it would trigger a re-assessment, right?


SUCKISSTAPLES said:Also its very unlikely the unit can be brought up to code cheaply. Almost all of these Sunset inlaws were done long ago and to get current permit they must meet 2009 standards

I agree.

New2Workin said:The home that I am in contract with contains an unwarranted in-law (typical in the San Francisco Sunset district). How will this affect my ability to obtain homeowners insurance? Does the insurer go into the home after the homeowner's insurance is issued? If so, does the mere fact that there is an in-law disqualify me from the policy if anything happens?

Thanks!Does the current owner have homeowners insurance? Doesn't that suggest you should be able to get it also? Perhpas you could find out who their current insurer is and see if you can get your policy from them.

SUCKISSTAPLES said:Illegal units in SF are a dont ask dont tell kinda thing, thats how ppl get insuranceIt's not surprising that a lot of that sort of thing occurs in SF.

Xnarg said:SUCKISSTAPLES said:Illegal units in SF are a dont ask dont tell kinda thing, thats how ppl get insuranceIt's not surprising that a lot of that sort of thing occurs in SF.All that means is if the house is burned down the insurance only cover the rebuilding of what has been legally filed with the city.

Does anyone know where I can get the specialized insurance to cover unpermitted room? Why? I would just consider the cost of building the in-law unit (it can't be much) is part of the deductible.