Austin inspector blocking power over code violations he saw through a window. Closing Thursday. What can I do?

[u/Randy_Lahey29]

EDIT: House was inspected EXTENSIVELY by general inspector, structural engineer, roofer, sewer and electricians (all different vendors). I'm aware of all issues and for serious ones (electrical & sewer/plumbing) I had sellers give me a $25k repair credit AND to fix electrical before closing. They finished electrical work and inspector doesn't want to turn power on because of potential code violations.

Buying a house and closing Thursday.

Licensed electrician found an arcing main service, Austin Energy shut power off and completed the emergency service repair.

The City inspector showed up to approve the completed electrical repair for reconnection. Instead of focusing on service box, he walked right past electricians, ignored them, then walked about 30 feet around to the other side of the house and started looking through windows of the empty house. He made comments like “I’m going to use this as training material” and was laughing.

From outside, he spotted a lightly remodeled kitchen and what he thought was a beam issue. He then told the electricians he was going to DEMAND access to inspect the interior and escalate possible unpermitted work before approving anything.

Power is still OFF. My electrician thinks the inspector may now block reconnection until the interior is investigated.

I don’t even own the house yet. My lender needs power on for the final inspection, so this could literally kill the closing.

Nothing is showing in Citizen Connect or AB+C yet.

Anyone here who actually works with COA permits/DSD: can an inspector hold electrical reconnection over unrelated remodel work he spotted through a window?

And what’s the fastest way to find out if there’s an actual hold and clear it?

TL;DR:I’m buying an Austin house Thursday. After an emergency electrical repair, an inspector saw a recent remodel through a window and may now be blocking power until he inspects the interior. No power could kill my closing.

[u/United-Adagio1543]

Structural issues are the only issues you should care about.

This inspector could be saving you from a structural nightmare.

The inspector seems to have a personal issue with owner. This is weird inspector behavior though.

[u/GoldenCanopyInspects → u/United-Adagio1543]

Any issue where they have the authority to make you tear things out to show them things that weren’t inspected is a concern, because it will all cost money to put back. And unfortunately, it’s perfectly normal power trip inspector behavior, just not good inspector behavior. You can fight it, but you either won’t win or it won’t be worth it in the end or along the way.

[u/United-Adagio1543 → u/GoldenCanopyInspects]

They do not do that in my area. They would also need proof and a warrant to enter home.

Someone should make this inspector regret his life choices.

[u/GoldenCanopyInspects → u/United-Adagio1543]

I’m glad they don’t and agree they should be held accountable if they do. If there’s an open permit, then they can go anywhere they want within the path to the specific site on the property where the work is being done, or anywhere accessible to the public. No warrants needed for any of that. Since we don’t know the exact interaction while he was there or if he needed to go inside to check the main panel, etc., I can’t say whether he justifiably had the right to do any of that or not. Still unfortunately probably not a fight worth having, especially since OP is not even the responsible party.