Grandpa wrote:


Did the OP give any indication that the contract had anything requiring
the house to be fully updated to current code, even if nothing in the
municipal code requires it? Did you ever see such a thing in a home
purchase contract? The seller would have to be a total moron to sign
such a thing. Homes are sold ever day that don't have insulation that
would be required today, or the electric service capacity required
today.

The OP stated that the inspector griped about the water heater; if the
purchase contract was pending the correction of the results of the
inspection, then yes itcould be considered in the contract. You
projected bringing everything up to code which is not what I'm trying to
talk about.


I projected bringing everything up to code? This is what you posted:

Actually, the buyer can ask for anything they want, and if it gets into
the purchase contract, then they can require it. That could include
updating to code, if in the buyer's mind the item in question was never
to code.


Just what the apparently novice inspector has wrought. But
the fact is, if the buyer puts it in the contract and the seller accepts
it, then yes the whole house could have to be brought up to code. Smart
buyer, foolish seller syndrome.

And there you go posting the same thing again, as if once isn't enough
and claiming you never said it. Have you ever seen a contract where
the seller was required to rebuild the house to the code requirements
of today, as opposed to when it was built?


A variance for a water heater that could just have a 18" stand
placed
under it?

Yes, this is apparently a townhome, lots of homes by one builder at a
time, save on production costs, get a variance; happens all the time.

BS First, most builiding inspectors aren't gonna waive code, just
cause someone doesn't like it. Second, it wouldn't be worth the time
and effort to avoid putting the freaking water heater on a simple
stand.