Illegal building

[CK]

A couple of weeks ago [mid September} one of the County Code
Compliance Officers was in the Park on matters respecting fire
hazards. During this routine inspection the Officer apparently came
across a single wide mobile home that was being extensively rebuilt.
On a closure look it appeared that no building permit had been taken
out.

This property is located at 12129 Rutherford Lane, Hudson, Florida,
34669. The County records show the property is owned by William
Charles 'Chuck' Hartwell. The County property Number is
33-24-17-0020-00200-0080. This owner also resides at another address
within the Park.

Usually when this occurs the County "red tags" the construction to
stop it. In this case the County found reason to attach three "red
flags" to the construction. From the road it looks like the whole
mobile was/is being re-insulated, new windows, new doors and
accordingly new outside skin. Perhaps an all new interior to. Also
there is a new porch attached or being attached that was built from
scratch.

It is also known that Mr. Hartwell attends the unrecorded Park so
called "Crime Watch" meetings when held.

The owners/managers of the Park and their helper could not but see
this work being done, and there was no required building permit
displayed, as they pass it nearly every day. Since the law in Pasco
County, Florida, where this Park is located, says that if you buy a
house that has latent illegal construction, you, the buyer are going
to be held responsible for the illegal work. After you buy and move in
you may be required to totally rip it out.

That the owner/mangers of the Park did not themselves stop the illegal
work, as they absolutely should have if they are to call themselves
managers, one can just imagine what else has been given a pass with
respect to illegal construction that they apparently do not care
about.

It is suggested that before buying any property in this Park a buyer
should carefully do their due diligence and also have the County Code
Officer for the area at the time of their interest come out and verify/
certify that the house was constructed legally in all respects.