I bought at DC rowhome years ago and the MRIS listing noted that the house had a "legal one bedroom basement". The selling real estate agent said it had a certificate of occupancy.

I just found out that there is not a certificate of occupancy registered with the DC rental accommodations division. How can a real estate agent state that a listing has a legal one bedroom basement when there isn't one? If this was fraud, should I speak to the title company or the agent? Please let me know as I'm pretty upset about this (though I should feel shame for not catching it).

Thanks

Stephanie

See a Real Estate attorney (NOT a Landlord/Tenant attorney).

You should have asked for the certificate of occupancy through the escrow.

I hope that you have a copy of the MRIS listing. Does it state on it, somewhere, not responsible for information listed, buyer advised to seek his own counsel?

You have a "right" to claim anything you want. Whether or not it would hold up in court is an entirely different story.

Usually in the disclosure statement you receive and sign when you buy property there is a section that the seller will state whether or not he/she has knowledge of something. You need to find THAT.

The listing agent relied on information from the seller and you and your agent should have requested a copy of the Certificate OR evidence that one existed at the time of the closing.

The listing agent relied on information from the seller and you and your agent should have requested a copy of the Certificate OR evidence that one existed at the time of the closing.

The listing agent relied on information from the seller and you and your agent should have requested a copy of the Certificate OR evidence that one existed at the time of the closing.

Stephanie [DC]), You're supposed to do your own due diligence. Never take an agent's word on anything, it's easy to see if their lying, their lips are moving!

Ok, so now what, sue the agent & their office? Do you have $3,500-$4,500 to throw away on a retainer with it going nowhere but lining an attorney's pocket?

I've seen it too many times where six months after closing (while the gun is still smoking) buyers were really screwed, got an attorney involved and it went nowhere.

Do the best you can to get it made right on your own, explain the situation and ask what you should do and how to fix it. Throw yourself on their (building dept.) mercy, they usually will work with you.

The same agent represents the buyer and the seller.

Even as low as Attorneys go, they do not sink to represent both clients.