Three more Surrey properties flagged for unpermitted construction

At 12439 72 Ave., unpermitted construction included converting the garage into habitable space, enclosing the deck on the north side of the house and a two-storey addition at the rear of the house. Photo by City of Surrey

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Three more Surrey properties will have notices filed on their land titles for unpermitted construction.

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The City of Surrey has been cracking down on illegal construction for several years. In the more egregious cases, council has been voting to file notices on land titles to alert potential buyers and occupiers.

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The three properties were flagged by the city at a special council meeting on Monday. For all three, the city states it is likely impossible for the owners to bring the construction into compliance.

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“Much of the construction has progressed to a point where many essential elements are now obscured, preventing the inspections (that) staff consider necessary to confirm safety and compliance with the Building Bylaw and British Columbia Building Code,” said a report from Harprit Grewal, a building inspector with the city, and Ron Gill, general manager of planning and development.

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The city has been easing its enforcement of illegal construction, but only in some cases. The city considers whether the owner is a first-time offender, if the work poses a life-safety risk and if the unpermitted work can be brought into compliance.

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None of the owners of the properties on the agenda Monday attempted to bring the unpermitted work into compliance, said building inspector Guillermo Flores.

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The first property is in Newton, at 12439 72 Ave.

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Owners of the home, listed as Mohammed Maqsood Sheikh and Saman Rukh, built six self-contained dwelling units, including converting the garage into habitable space, an enclosure of the deck on the north side of the house and a two-storey addition at the rear of the house, all without permits, according to the city.

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About 16 people occupy the space.

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A Surrey property flagged by the city for unpermitted construction at 12439 72 Avenue Photo by City of Surrey

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The city first found out about the unpermitted work in 2019 and demanded demolition of the work a year ago. But the owners continued construction after bylaw officers posted a stop-work order, Flores told council. Sheikh was at the hearing and apologized for the unpermitted work.

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“I have hardships to pay all the taxes and expenses. My pension is only $1,500,” Sheikh told council. “I am 70 years old, I work all my life. I have three small children. … I just apologize.”

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The owners have not paid site visit fees to the city, totalling $898, but have paid bylaw enforcement notices related to the unpermitted work, totalling $3,350.

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Counsellors Doug Elford and Rob Stutt pointed out the homeowners had collected rent from many individuals over the years.

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“I’ve been by there, it looks like an apartment. Why did you build this when you knew you couldn’t? You were not supposed to,” Elford asked Sheikh.

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The owner replied that he was assured by his contractor that there would be no problem.

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Council unanimously approved to file a notice on title for the property.