Or are you? (Educational Purposes Only)
By Lloyd Sherman, January 6, 2022
Not being a fan of cold showers, I was dismayed to recently discover that our hot water heater died a quick and fatal death. Fortunately, we continue to have a home warranty so we filed a claim with them. They were quick and responsive, came out, and verified that yep, it’s gone! A new one was ordered and much to our surprise it came in within two days.
So why am I telling you this story? Because it is often what you don’t know or weren’t sure of that matters.
I had heard that you might need a permit to replace your water heater or HVAC. So, the first thing I did was check the policy manual and it was totally unclear as to whether you need a permit or not. Like the good soldier I try to be, I called the POA and was informed that yes, I needed a permit. I informed them it was in the process of being installed and much to my amazement, I was told that if I didn’t get the permit that very day, I would be charged a penalty. I paid the requested $60 fee and was informed the Inspector would be out the next day.
He arrived as promised, but because I was at work, the wife was left to interact with him. He went into the crawl space, inspected the water heater, and then came to the door to inform the wife he had completed the inspection. He told her the water heater did not have a pop-off valve. He left no paperwork and we had no record that he had even been here. I immediately contacted the licensed plumber who installed the water heater and he informed us all new water heaters had a pop-off valve pre-installed.
You are probably wondering again, why I am telling you this story:
- So that you can be informed that permits are required for such replacements. I believe the policy has been updated to be a little more specific.
- So you don’t get caught off-guard in the unlikely case that the POA knows that you upgraded/replaced these items.
This is not a slam against any employee that is following through with what they understand the process to be. However, as my history has dictated, I am pointing out yet another process/procedure that can’t possibly be enforced unless the property owner brings it to the attention of the POA.
Why do we have these enforcement policies in place that can’t be monitored? Why do we send a building inspector out to check the work of a licensed plumber or HVAC technician? We get paperwork for these types of services from the installer. We got zip from the POA that would show the unit had been inspected and whether it failed or passed, and no follow-up was done by the POA to see what had been done regarding the pop-off valve in our case.
So please just beware that according to policy, you are required to get a permit for replacing electrical or plumbing items in your household. Exactly how far that goes, I have no clue. Does it also include a new toilet, light switch, etc.? I dunno. Do you?
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Mark Quinton
01/06/2022 — 12:33 pm
What would be the purpose of the POA being involved? Is it simply a money grab?
LLOYD SHERMAN
01/06/2022 — 1:39 pm
Mark,
The only way they would actually know is if you informed them or someone else did. It is a silly policy in that it can’t really be enforced. However, I was informed I would have been charged a $300 penalty had I not gotten the permit. Of course, they would never have known about it had I not called them. And yes, it does appear to be a money grab.
Dan fitzgerald
01/06/2022 — 2:34 pm
A complete sham and money snatch for a permit. What the
POA should do is have an actual inspection process with qualified inspectors. Hold the home builders to a complete inspection of the houses that we will all assume mortgages on and reside in. That would be a nice start.
Walter Chance
01/06/2022 — 5:04 pm
Dan, I can assure you us home builders are inspected at every turn, and the permit fee for a new home around 2000 sq ft is about 12,000. This is a separate issue. But I agree, if it’s a licensed plumber no permit should be required. They are trained and licensed. I have not seen a new water heater without the pop off or pressure valve missing. In fact, I think it’s against the industry to sell such a product.
Tom Blakeman
01/06/2022 — 6:25 pm
This is just another example. Our POA wants to believe they are a big important city, with big important leadership and omnipotent bureaucrats, the majority of which are only craving power. They want to control everything we do – and think they can – and unfortunately they are – because we are letting them! They provide (at your expense) employees, vehicles and more to “police” our every move but only when it serves their desires and ‘feelings’. They have a policy manual. They have bylaws. But all of it is just like the Code of Federal Regulations – loaded with conflicts, duplications and incoherent rules – which nobody recognizes or understands and most of which is based on ‘feelings’ rather than common sense. New Board, new ‘feelings’, new policy, more conflicts and more confusion. And, they continually want US the property owners to continue to fund their circus with more of our money – just like the Feds in DC. Guess what? They can’t even get the new assessment billing correct. So, how would they have a clue about a water heater pop-off valve?
HSVP C
01/06/2022 — 10:24 pm
It is a policy of this website to require the use of one’s full name. Comments without a full name will not be published. Thank you. – Cheryl Dowden
Wes Smith
01/07/2022 — 8:04 am
Interesting discussion … As a landlord in Jackson MS area for past 25 years. I can relate to Lloyd’s experience with hot water heater. In ZJackson,MS Anytime unit is vacant or utilities off over 6 months a City inspection is mandatory at no charge. The inspection is two steps first to inform landlord of any code violations. Next you must repair or replace or in some cases file for permits with City for work that requires a liscenced & bonded professional.
Once work is completed then you have second inspection at no charge . If it passes City will fax approval to utility company for turn on.
All inspections are free with City of Jackson & HUD … most landlords know what there doing & get the job done right before the 6 month’s elapses to avoid any inspections. If you use a liscensed & bonded plumber or electrician or contractor if any issues crop up it’s probably covered by their surety bonding.
Kathy Henderson Oram
01/08/2022 — 1:30 pm
Just found out we need a $60.00 permit if we want to change the color of our front door!
Tucker Omohundro
01/09/2022 — 10:18 pm
We discussed this the other day at the ACC. I had heard the same thing the other day so I brought it up at the last meeting. I also understand that we do not have anywhere on our website explaining what we have to get a permit for. I promise changes will be coming soon.
Tucker Omohundro
01/10/2022 — 5:01 pm
Just a heads up on these two subjects. I said that we discussed the paint issue the other day. Charlie Brown has already eliminated the fee for front doors and garage doors. You will still need to get the color approved but at no cost to you. Lloyd for the water heaters. We are checking on this now. It was our understanding that do to the fact that water heaters have to be installed according to state codes that we had the responsibility to inspect them. The first part is true. They have to be installed by code. I question that it’s the POAs responsibility to see that they are. It’s nothing but an expense for us to do so. Staff, paperwork, gas etc. the fee probably does not cover it all. I will let you know what I find out. Thanks