Ask A Real Estate Pro: ‘unpermitted Structure’ Derailed Home Repair Grant. What Do I Do Now?

Q: I bought a house in 2002 with an enclosed patio. More recently, I was approved for a grant from my city to repair my home. A city inspector came out to assess the house for the repairs required through the grant, but I was denied the grant because the enclosed patio was an “unpermitted structure.” I followed up, but the city does not have records going back more than 10 years.