|
Did they offer you any information on what would happen if you did rent or sell? This law is basically one passed by the state house to the benifit of the building contractors. To force people to use a contractor for their projects. I'll cite the applicable sections of the law, read paragraph (5) below, as it is the applicable section. I included the other two paragraphs since they also may be applicable in some circumstances. Charles "SECTION 40-11-360. Exemptions from application of chapter; content of posters to be distributed to building permit offices. (A) This chapter does not apply to: ..... ..... .. (5) An owner of residential property who improves the property or who builds or improves structures or appurtenances on the property if he does the work himself, with his own employees, or with licensed contractors; provided that the structure, group of structures, or appurtenances, including the improvements, are intended for the owner's sole occupancy or occupancy by the owner's family and are not intended for sale or rent, and provided further, that the general public does not have access to this structure. In an action brought under this chapter, proof of the sale or rent or the offering for sale or rent of the structure by the owner-builder within two years after completion or issuance of a certificate of occupancy is prima facie evidence that the project was undertaken for the purpose of sale or rent and is subject to the penalties provided in this chapter. As used in this item, "sale" or "rent" includes an arrangement by which an owner receives compensation in money, provisions, chattel, or labor from the occupancy, or the transfer of the property or the structures on the property; (6) An owner of nonowner-occupied property who improves the property or who builds or improves structures of less than five thousand square feet or other appurtenances on the property, either by himself or with the owner's employees, if all structural and mechanical work is performed by licensed contractors regardless of the cost of construction and if the property is not sold for two years after completion of the improvements. For purposes of this item, "structural" means foundation, pier, load-bearing partition, perimeter wall, internal wall exceeding ten feet in height, roof, floor, and any other work deemed by the board to be structural. "Mechanical" means work described in Section 40-11-410(5); (7) An owner constructing a wood-framed farm structure with less than five thousand square feet of floor space and not used for human habitation or office facilities;" IF YOUR BUILDING PERMIT OFFICE DID NOT DISPLAY A POSTER WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON IT, THEY ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW ALSO. "(B) The board shall distribute posters to each building permit office in the State requesting that the posters be placed in a conspicuous location to be read by applicants. The posters shall state the following: "The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Act requires general and mechanical construction to be performed by licensed contractors. Both the owner and the contractor are subject to penalties for violations of the law. Work performed on projects is exempt from this requirement only for the following reasons: (1) The total cost of construction is less than $5,000.00; (2) The property will be used solely by the owner and his immediate family as a residence for a period of at least two years; (3) For nonresidential projects, work performed by the owner is limited to nonstructural and nonmechanical portions of the project, or; (4) The project is a wood-framed farm building less than five thousand square feet used solely for livestock or storage. All other work must be performed by properly licensed contractors. All persons directly employed by the owner to perform work on the project are subject to state and federal laws covering occupational safety, family and medical leave, workers' compensation, social security, income tax withholding, and minimum wage requirements. Work performed must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations."
OH YES, AND THE PENALTYS..... ..
"SECTION 40-11-200. Unlawful practice; penalty.
(A) A person who practices or offers to practice in this State in violation of this chapter or who knowingly submits false information for the purpose of obtaining a license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than five thousand dollars. (B) It is a violation of this chapter for an awarding authority, owner, contractor, or an agent of an authority, owner, or contractor to consider a bid, sign a contract, or allow a contractor to begin work unless the bidder or contractor has first obtained the licenses required by this chapter. Bids or contracts submitted by contractors may not be reconsidered or resubmitted to an awarding authority, contractor, or owner if the contractor was not properly licensed at the time the initial bid or contract was submitted. (C) Charges under this section may be preferred by the board by delivering evidence of a violation to a solicitor or a magistrate having jurisdiction. (D) Upon conviction under this section, the fines and assessments imposed by a court must be administered pursuant to Sections 14-1-205, 14-1-206, 14-1-207, 14-1-208, and 14-1-209."
| 
