Some contractors and land developers are purchasing homes and properties at sheriff’s sales and then cutting corners and performing work without permits. Unpermitted and unsupervised construction work poses a significant safety risk to residents everywhere. Fires and structure collapses are real concerns in many cities in Pennsylvania. We as a legislature work our hardest to ensure that all Pennsylvania residents are safe and secure in their homes, but unpermitted work puts people at risk.

For this reason, I am introducing legislation to require a sheriff to provide documents, prepared by the Department of Labor & Industry, to all purchasers of property at sheriff’s sales. These documents would include building permit information and contact information for building code offices within the county. Whether it is a fraudulent contractor or developer or someone simply unaware of the procedure, this legislation will ensure we are taking measures before a tragedy happens due to unregulated construction work.

Please join me in protecting our neighbors in their homes, increasing accountability for building developers, and sharing information about the building permit process.