After declaring it a priority three years ago, the City of Surrey is intensifying its enforcement against illegal construction, with three properties now demolished through court orders just this year.

Two additional properties will have notices attached to the titles to serve as a public disclosure to lenders, buyers or anyone else that the properties contravene bylaws for building without permits.

Liability for the unpermitted work is passed from one owner to the next and can impact one’s ability to receive insurance or apply for a mortgage, said Sean Simpson, the head of Surrey’s illegal construction enforcement team.

“We take a hard stance against it,” Simpson said.

“We want to strengthen and force these actions against unpermitted construction, and move people toward applying for

See Full Page