Miami Homebuyers Face Costly Surprise: Hidden Violations from Unpermitted Renovations

When Tomas Picek first saw his dream home on 67th Street in Miami, it was love at first sight. But two months after moving in, inspectors knocked on his door with a bombshell: his home was under building code violations. “How is that possible? I didn’t do any reconstructions,” Picek said.

Ramona Garcia had a similar nightmare after buying her home on NW 22nd Court. Within months, she received notice from Miami-Dade’s building department that her house had unpermitted plumbing, electrical, and roofing work. “When we first got it, I thought it was a mistake,” Garcia said.

The financial fallout has been severe. Picek has already spent around $20,000 to fix violations and reopen permits, while Garcia owes nearly $40,000 in fines. Both insist they were unaware of the unpermitted work during the buying process, which included inspections and a title search.

Experts say the key step often overlooked is requesting a seller’s disclosure. Though not mandatory, it forces sellers to reveal known issues, including unpermitted renovations. Buyers can also add contingencies to “as is” contracts, allowing them to back out if problems are found.

Attorney Jacqueline Salcines warns that title and lien searches alone may not reveal unpermitted work. Instead, buyers should check the local building department’s permit database and confirm whether past permits were closed properly.

For Garcia and Picek, the oversight has turned their dream homes into a source of stress, financial strain, and regret—an expensive lesson for future buyers.