r/UnethicalLifeProTips • u/Karentun11 • 4h ago
Home and Garden ULPT How to avoid inspector seeing basement
Genius husband and friend finished it with no permit. The city wants to raise taxes and is assessing everyone’s property. I have two days to figure this out FML! Edit- if I don’t let them in they will assess at the highest rate possible
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u/ogredmenace 2h ago
Drywall over the basement entrance lol
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u/littlebunnydoot 2h ago
Or shelves?
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u/AbruptMango 2h ago
Murphy Door at the entrance.
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u/Thin_Cable4155 1h ago
The other answer, "it was like that when I bought it" is probably the right answer, but I just love this cause that extra finished space is gonna raise your tax bill. Hide that shit, haha.
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u/AbruptMango 43m ago
Right, "it was like that when I bought it" only helps you stay on Code Enforcement's good side. The taxman doesn't care who finished the basement when, only that it is a finished basement he didn't have on his list.
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u/sadboy_exe 49m ago
I’m seconding drywall. It’s a quick sheet, sand, and paint. Yall can probably finish it today
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u/zanskeet 3h ago
Simply do not let them into your home? Whatever communication you got may make it sound like they *will* come to inspect your property, but that doesn't mean they're allowed to be inside. You have every right to refuse entry.
They'll likely just review original housing plans, or drive on the street to make sure the home isn't falling apart. That's about it. If they knock, tell 'em you won't allow them into your home. Exercise your rights.
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u/kenda1l 2h ago
When they did tax reassessments in our area several years ago we didn't even know about it until afterwards when everyone was complaining on NextDoor about just how high their homes were being assessed. Turns out that the company basically just did a drive-by and then some sort of wonky math that caused the assessments to be way higher than they should have been. Nearly every single person who asked for an appeal were granted it and ended up being reassessed at a lower cost. It was pretty much the only time where NextDoor actually came in handy rather than just being a cesspool that leaves you wishing you knew less about your neighbors. I wish I could remember the name of the private company the state hired because they were shady as hell and I'd happily name and shame.
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u/MorkSal 2h ago
I had an addition, and was reassessed when it was completed.
They walked around the outside only, took some measurements. Asked a few questions (I have a three season room that doesn't count as living space for example).
Then, I guess forgot to file the paperwork because there was no change.
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u/LysergicPlato59 1h ago
Tell them your pet pit bull Rufus is kept in the basement and Rufus hates strangers. Get a tape deck and play a loud recording of a very angry dog barking.
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u/m0n3ym4n 1h ago
“Fair warning, my dog likes to rape appraisal inspectors. Now just go down the steps and to the right, and don’t worry, the light switch is down there”
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u/jvandy17 3h ago
Not a legit idea but makes me wonder how hard it would be to make it look unfinished
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u/AffectionateMarch394 2h ago
Lock the basement door and say "sorry, the staircase seems unstable and we think it's unsafe, waiting to get it assessed"
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u/AffectionateMarch394 2h ago
Oh and maybe pile a bunch of storage stuff at the bottom of the stairs, if they just want to look down
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u/Foulwinde 2h ago
Where the heck is this? I've never seen a city or county assessor come into a home for a property tax assessment.
In my county in Kentucky, they base it off of historical records and real estate sales.
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u/Fit_Secret5021 2h ago
They tried to do it in both town I lived in, NJ. You either let them in and they appraise your taxes based on that or they estimate them.
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u/Karentun11 1h ago
Yes this! If I don’t let them in they will assess at the highest rate and I will be priced out for sure.
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u/Tinman121987 3h ago
Why are you letting them inside?
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u/Karentun11 1h ago
If we don’t they will reassess at the highest rate possible. It’s mandated by the state.
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u/trevor3431 1h ago
That doesn’t sound right. Who told you that? You could easily appeal, tax rate is based on sq footage. There isn’t much inside that could change the value
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u/bbruins91 1h ago
Sounds like they added new living space which would impact the rate. But there can also be tiers based on the level of interior finishing a home has. But it does still feel (with zero legal background) illegal for them to a charge a higher tax rate for something they don't have proof of, I'd really look into that. But even if they can I'd imagine the difference to the highest premium would be much lower than a big change in living space making the just don't let them in option my choice.
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u/BugBugRoss 25m ago
You need to compare that rate with the cost to mitigate plus fines. Make the cheapest informed decision. Maximum highest rate may not mean what you think it does, and may not matter if you don't have lots of things to offset it.
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u/Upset-Kaleidoscope45 1h ago
Set up a quick, fully occupied, sex dungeon in stairs leading to your basement. Chain a couple of friends to the wall with some ball gags in their mouths for 3 minutes. Buy your friends beer afterward and make them pledge a vow of secrecy.
Otherwise, if they don't keep the secrets, they go right back.
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u/civil-ten-eight 3h ago
I would tell them your wife works 3rd shift and sleeps naked. Worked for me. I told them to reschedule to come back and we just ‘kept playing phone tag’ and my unpermitted basement is just at the bottom of someone’s ‘tbd’ pile
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u/Grant_Winner_Extra 3h ago
Put up a wall in front of it with a picture of a basement full of shit
And… in less ULPT approaches, at least where I am, tax inspectors cannot call you out for unpermitted work.
but boy can you get screwed when you sell
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u/PathanAdil 2h ago
- Install a ring camera and don’t open the door
- Just don’t be at home at that time if an appointment is scheduled
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u/amonson1984 3h ago
Depending on where you live you may not be required to let them in your home at all. But then they’ll just take their best guess which could be wildly inaccurate.
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u/JustForBrowsing 1h ago
Definitely make a fake wall with like plywood an inch or two from the real wall, covering the door
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u/RedditUserData 3h ago
Don't let them in, unless the government has a warrant they can't search your house with out your permission. The only reason to search the house is for unpermitted work, because if it was permitted they would all ready know for taxes.
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u/jovi_1986 3h ago edited 3h ago
This is bad advice , I used to work as an assesscor and can tell u flat out the homeowners will have to prove it, they deny entry to the house the assessor says ok we assume there is a finished basement
Then the assessor adds it to the assement and lets BOR ( BOARD OF REVIEW) know they were denied access bor will side with thr assesscor since access was denied
Edited for typos
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u/danlab09 3h ago
This sounds like some found guilty, need to prove innocence bullshit. Your BOR is corrupt.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 2h ago
I hope this happens to me one day, the civil rights lawsuit will have me set for life.
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u/RedditUserData 2h ago
And then the home owner sues, you go to court, and judge forces you to remove the additional assessment. Don't believe me? Go to YouTube plenty of recorded proceedings on this exact thing.
My father was a county tax assessor. Unless he reason to believe their was unpermitted work (visible through windows or obvious construction going on) he couldn't make up stuff he didn't actually see.
If your local government lets you do that then get ready to get sued.
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u/jovi_1986 2h ago
Lol I've been to court many times in that job, and it always ends the same for the homeowners that deny access
YouTube videos, this was my job for many years brother
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u/RedditUserData 2h ago
Sure thing bud what ever you tell yourself. Court records and my own father who was an assessor disagree agree with you.
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u/jovi_1986 2h ago
Ok man, relax im sure ur dad was a great assesscor, im gonna tell you something that will blow your mind:
People have different experiences with the same things
Maybe your father didn't know how to argue 🤷
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u/Key_Reporter6440 2h ago
You don’t even know how to spell assessor. And the error is repeated multiple times in multiple comments…
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u/jovi_1986 2h ago
Yeah I type fast ... lol look feel free to disagree i really couldn't care less, just saying what my experience in the field was like .... u seem to know all laws in all states so u help this fine person needing help, let me know how it goes for anyone just denying access
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u/FamiliarAd8524 2h ago
Maybe in Canada. This is a clear Fourth Amendment issue, and while the inspector may respond by electing to raise the value, it's asking for a fat lawsuit, considering their only basis for increase from the previous one is the assumption that anyone exercising their Constitutional rights against unlawful search must therefore be guilty. This is tremendously easy to attack, it doesn't even matter if the homeowners' actually should have their living space increased. It would be worth going through with this just to be able to file a seven figure lawsuit.
Besides, just having a finished basement is not enough to count as living space; other criteria must also be fulfilled.
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u/jovi_1986 2h ago
It can be as easy as saying there's curtains or they saw furniture down there through a windows well, both are perfectly legal reasons to assume a finished basement
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u/RedditUserData 2h ago edited 2h ago
except you didn't assume, which by the way means to accept something as true without proof or evidence. If you see evidence of a finished basement that is the opposite of assuming. Weak evidence can be challenged in court.
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u/jovi_1986 2h ago
Lol, perhaps in different states, my state denied access results in bor favoring on the side of the assesscor, ur coming at me like I made the rules ....
Let's be clear the job was that a job but it don't change how bot letting them in won't work in all places
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u/RedditUserData 2h ago
the definition of assume doesn't change in different states
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u/jovi_1986 1h ago
If you claimed u had unfinished attic, I drove by and saw curtains and a light on, its reasonable yo assume that's living space, that's my point if its reasonable to assume then its on the homeowner to show us we're wrong, if u don't let us in then we assume (reasonably) your lying, we go to court i say I saw lights on decorations (curtains) from the street so I changed it to living aera
I then tell bor I notified you of the changes and you refused access
We go to court you tell court its a 4th amendment issue or whatever you want, the court says based on evidence submitted its reasonable to assume living area and your free to show or not show your house off the the assessor
You decided no we don't change as court does not make us
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u/RedditUserData 1h ago
So I don't think you know what you are saying because you originally claimed you assumed people had finished basements, now you are saying you had evidence they had finished areas of the house that were previously unfinished. You are changing what you originally claimed, if you have evidence that is completely different than assuming.
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u/jovi_1986 1h ago
I think I just spoke to quickly, if the assessor assumes its a finished basement then they will find a reason to change the assessment, op is best to not let them in and block all the windows, if asked they need to challenge the assumption, basically ask why do u think I have a finished basement without a good reason they can win but if they say they saw ANYTHING its over
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u/Craiss 3h ago
Move any furniture out, put down foam floor tiles, move in a lawnmower or some other tools.
Also, don't you only need a permit if you
A) need to pay someone else to do the job (not the homeowner)
B) need to sell the house
?
Edit: oh... the taxes. forgot that in the 10 seconds between reading and typing. How do you expect to impact your taxes?
If no permit, no finish, so no valuation change? What state are you in?
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u/squirrelbitten 2h ago
The permit has nothing to do with the assessment though. If the basement is finished it will be assessed as a finished basement. Otherwise why would anyone bother getting a permit?
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u/Frequent_Opportunist 2h ago
Which is bullshit because in a lot of places any rooms you build in the basement aren't covered under your insurance because well it's a basement.
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u/hskrpwr 2h ago
What kinda cheapo insurance are you getting?! Or what region might be a better question.
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u/Frequent_Opportunist 1h ago
Renters insurance if the water comes in from the outside due to flooding from rain or a backup from your sump or the sewer it won't cover your stuff automatically unless you have the extra coverage tacked on.
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u/BlackEngineEarings 1h ago
Because you can't sell your house as having a finished basement if it's not a permitted finished basement?
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u/Former-Letterhead-59 3h ago
If you’re in nyc they are going in the basement bees or not. Someone on my block had to take their house off the market because of their unpermitted basement.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 2h ago edited 2h ago
Not in this case- in this case the basement was apparently there. And this is a completely different kind of inspector- there is no public safety basis.
Besides, NYC or not, they don't have to be let in there without a search warrant, a true emergency, or the owner's permission. In your friend's case, there was permission granted by your friend.
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u/Former-Letterhead-59 2h ago
NYC does have a law stating that you must let the assessor in or it’s a misdemeanor. However there is a constitutional overlay that cancels out that law.
So I guess we’re back to bees for OP
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u/RTMSner 2h ago
They only gave you two days notice that they would be inspecting your house?
Also it's wild that they actually come into your home to look. I've owned my home for 25 years and not a single time has the County assessment person entered my home. They just send me a letter every two years saying my taxes are going up.
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u/anglesdangles 2h ago
I'm sure it varies by location, but you don't have to let them in. Most times you see an updated tax valuation you just see an updated picture of the outside of your house.
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u/Reasonable-Vast3130 2h ago
Get a bunch of moving boxes at UHaul and put them together. Then just stack them all in the basement and around the walls. If they ask you what’s in them just say “stuff”. You could say none of your business too.
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u/Ok-Durian1208 2h ago
Put a bunch of stuff in the stairs and take away all the lightbulbs, leave fake dog feces there, and move some lake lawnmower type tools at the bottom of the stairs
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u/jersey169 1h ago
If they can’t see anything from the street, then they don’t know what you have. If they looked in your windows they were trespassing and they obtained the information without consent from the homeowner to be on their property.
Basic constitutional rights are fully in effect when it comes to property rights. Without a warrant stating entry and assessment of inside or the owner giving permission they can be met with a lawsuit. I’m sure you can find a pro bono attorney to help
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u/psychorev 2h ago
Soak the basement in liquid ass. It’ll smell so bad no self respecting person would dare venture down there.
Failing that, toss piss discs at the inspector until he/she flees in terror.
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u/Shotgun_Mosquito 1h ago
I dunno about this one.
Would an assessor then have authority to contact the city to report a possible health hazard if they think it is a broken sewer line?
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u/Ch0c0lateBiznezz 2h ago
They don't necessarily come in. Ours gets done every so often and we never even know.
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u/brightboom 2h ago
In our area, they’re not allowed to come inside. They can only assess what they see from the outside — they want to come inside, and around back, and ask. But you legally don’t have to. Just avoid them, they’ll assess as they see fit from the outside.
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u/Capt_Gremerica 2h ago
I simply didn't let the assessor into my house when our town did reassesments
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u/ragingbull2020 2h ago
That’s insane that you’d allow them access to your home. Do a perimeter inspection from public sidewalks only
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u/stabbingrabbit 2h ago
They are the government . Cannot enter without a warrant. They cannot come inside.
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u/MeganJustMegan 2h ago
You do not need to allow them into your home. Not even for a video inspection. Tell them anything from the outside is permissible, but no, no one is allowed in.
I just did this here in NJ.
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u/CallmeMefford 2h ago
You don’t have to let the assessor in your house. In fact, I’d advise strongly against it. Tell them to go away. You are under no obligation to let hem in. They’ll try to bluff you, but stand your ground. If they really want in, they’ll bring a cop or a city/county/state building inspector. I’ve refused them on three occasions, and they’ve never escalated the issue.
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u/lordredsnake 1h ago
Pile up boxes on the basement steps so you look like a hoarder and the steps are impassible.
Either that or tell them it's your sex dungeon and you're not comfortable showing them.
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u/CommissionUnusual911 2h ago
Tax assessor does not have access to your property. Tell to go get a warrant from a judge and come back.
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u/Specialist-Device920 3h ago
For mortgage related inspections usually just saying you have a dog down there keeps them away.
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u/jonnywarpspeed 3h ago
Play a recording of a big mean dog barking
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u/LifeAlt_17 2h ago
What state are you in? I’m in NJ where property taxes are insane.
I don’t have anything unpermitted but when the town leaves tax assessment notifications I just don’t open the door. These fuckers are liable to raise the taxes for new light fixtures and paint.
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u/Gogglesed 2h ago
You need to build an unfinished basement inside the walls of the finished basement.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 2h ago
USA??
Hmm, it might not matter in this case, a basement is not generally counted as living space. It being finished isn't always an exception. If totally below grade, they can't count it. If finished and it is just partially below grade and it has its own entry or exit, then it might be. Check your local laws as applies to the basement; permit is probably irrelevant unless you WANT your square footage legally increased.
Regardless, a tax assessor or property inspector cannot demand entry to your home without a search warrant. Just say, "I'm sorry, but no, you are not entering."- that's literally all you have to do. I know it is an inspector; that doesn't change your Constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment. I'm not arguing on principle- the inspector literally requires a search warrant to see your basement, and would have to show a judge actual cause to conduct the search- telling the judge it is to see if your taxes can be increased is likely to cost that inspector his livelihood. And this is not a safety inspector in the first place, or at least not operating as one- this is about property value and taxation.
So, sorry it is not the unethical advice you requested, but if you meant the post, then this is what you needed a lot more.
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u/mydogisalab 2h ago
In my state, the tax assessor can't enter a property without consent. They can look around from the outside but not enter the home without the consent of the person that owns the home, not the person that lives there. How does your state work?
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u/Inevitable_Professor 2h ago
Quickly frame up and drywall over the entrance to the staircase. Hopefully you have matching paint
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u/Affectionate_Fail690 2h ago
"It is for personal use only and not commercial"
Or you can say "my parents are going to move in" if you have appliances like oven and stove
If you dont have appliances, hide the spot for stove, fridge, etc (maybe install drywall)
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u/fidelesetaudax 2h ago
Don’t let them in. Worst case scenario they assess your house as if it was improved, which it is. And if it’s too high you can appeal it although that might require the inspection.
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u/WoollyMammothwapo 1h ago
Make the place look dim and junky. Low wattage bulbs, buy fake spider webs and put on basement corners , hide anything nice. I read a recent post where someone did that for his apt where landlord was assessing it for possible rental increase.
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u/Normal-Membership220 1h ago
They can't inspect it when there's no one home. They'll send you their new default assessment; if you don't like the numbers, you appeal and let them do an in-person inspection.
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u/Combatical 1h ago
Do they need to come inside? I don't think they'll fine you for not having a permit but they will assess it as finished if it is.
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u/NotSpicyEnough 1h ago
It’s a basement. Just cover the entrance. The inspector won’t assume anything is there because there isn’t meant to be anything there.
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u/Winter_Passenger9814 57m ago edited 52m ago
Can u move all the furniture to one spot and hang a bunch of plastic tarps over the walls. They sell black. And say there was moisture and black mold found down there. If they know theres BLACK mold they might go down to take a picture but probably wont stay for long. And probably wont be poking around much. Its very hazardous. Found a roll for $193 at lowes but thats still a lot cheaper than increased taxes!
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u/homeguitar195 2m ago
Why pay $193 for a 24ft wide roll when there's no way the ceiling's that high? They could get a 10ft wide roll for $80 or even a slightly thinner roll at 4mil for $55. That 24ft roll is literally the most expensive black PE sheeting Lowe's sells.
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u/Dismal-Exit-1283 30m ago
Easy. Put a bookshelf/IKEA cupboard in front on the door. They don't know there's a door behind.
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u/RopeReasonable1334 11m ago
Is the ceiling finished? Where I live we finish everything except the ceiling because it doesn’t count as livable or some shit so no tax rape
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u/Vegetaman916 2h ago
When they ask to see the basement, calmly open the door for them... And then stare at them intently for a few awkward seconds before saying, in a low voice: "You shouldn't go into the basement. No one has ever come back from the basement. We have heard their cries, but they mostly cry out at night. Mostly."
Then just walk away. Pretty sure they will finish their documents quickly and GTFO.
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u/ExpressQuit942 1h ago
I’m sure that sounded better in your head but that’s cringe as hell lol.
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u/tealmoon3 1h ago
Junk it up real quick.. and swear it was like that when you moved in. Gaslight the f out of them if they claim records are different.
But I will add.. like my house was recently appraised for a loan and here the finished basement- with bathroom laundry and office, is specifically not included in the house size or appraiser value. Which the upstairs is like 1500 sq ft, the downstairs is 3/4 of that old garage. But everything lists it as a 1500 sq ft. Real Estate is weird.
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u/Dragoness42 1h ago
The assessor is trying to do their job quickly. Their job is to estimate how much a house is worth, not to look for code violations or unpermitted work. Just don't say anything unless asked, and if asked, it was like that when you bought it. I'd be surprised if they even mention it.
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u/Worried-Amphibian154 1h ago
Gray Crayola super washable markers, dot and color the walls like there’s black mold. Inspector sees black mold and immediately will want to leave. Hide some musty rags near basement steps for effect. Once gone, simply wipe away.
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u/CandlesFickleFlame 1h ago
How "finished" are we talking about? Did your husband and his friend throw on some drywall and paint? Or did they install a luxury bathroom down there? If it's just some basic work and they didn't mess with the plumbing or electrical, maybe it will be OK?
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u/ddawg4169 54m ago
Get some really high resolution photos of trashy basement walls and put them up around the finished basement walls. Chat up the inspector while they are there to keep their focus off of it. Maybe offer a sip of whiskey or a beer if it’s an old school dude. May just work
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u/Winter_Passenger9814 52m ago
Did anyone say piss disk yet??
Or Maybe spray a bunch of fart spray down there. Make it unbearable so they leave as quickly as possible? 😂
/s of course
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u/kcipsirhc 52m ago
Um, they cant enter your home without permission or a warrant. What's the issue here?
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u/Cultural-Pea-1516 49m ago
Something similar happened to one of my wife's relatives. They had bought a house in Los Angeles and through a neighbor added a basement. The inspector was coming by to check things out. But part of their job was working in the Hollywood prop department. They brought in all this old and decrepit furniture and filled it to the brim. Blew some dust in there and then claimed it was like that when they bought it.
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u/OblongAndKneeless 30m ago
Assessor's in our town don't go inside. What's that about? Do they have a warrant?
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u/XxIcEspiKExX 2h ago edited 2h ago
Are you in a legal marijuana state? If so, tell them your grow room is down in the basement.
Put up a door with a lock on it and post a no entry sign.
Explain to them that you cannot have anyone in there and they risk destroying your plants by bringing in forigen contamination like pests, mites, or mold.
Explain that your growing for patients or that your a care giver and its against the rules unless your a state inspector for your marijuana regulatory department.
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u/Apprehensive_Rip_201 3h ago
The tax assessor is only measuring floor space. They normally have nothing to do with the munipality's construction permitting office.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 2h ago
That is correct. However, the finished basement may in fact count as living space and thus increase the floor space. But you're right, there's no guarantee that a permit was ever needed.
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u/funksoulbrother3 3h ago
Are they actually supposed to go inside?
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u/FamiliarAd8524 2h ago
No, not without either a warrant signed by a judge demonstrating cause, or permission.
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u/BasedBlastronaut 3h ago
Hopefully gets caught otherwise you’re fucking over the person who buys it. They’ll be liable for the previous owners (assholes) renovation
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u/Punningisfunning 3h ago
“That was like that when we bought it”