Expert: Sue Bernstein - 8/20/2009

Question
I had a home inspection done and when it was being done I asked the inspector what the washed out ares were in my yard. I was told it was from the pre-existing gutters. After two years of living in my home I have ran into plumbing issues. All the pipes are rotted away and I'm stuck with a house that my daughter and I can not live in. Under the home is all washed away from years of the pipes being like this. This is why I have washed out areas in my yard. Since I can not live in my home I moved out and I'm currently paying rent so I stopped paying for my sinking crap hole house. Its going under foreclosure but is there something that can protect me at all? I'm not looking to sue for money but make sure someone doesn't dress up this house and sell it to another person. Also maybe to get me out of my loan contract since after two years I'm no longer able to live in the home. PLEASE HELP!

Answer
Stephanie,

You really need to contact an attorney to see what rights you may have.  If the inspector was missed the fact that the plumbing was in really poor condition your only option might be to sue. It is the buyer's responsibility to do their due diligence when purchasing a home and that is why you hired an inspector.  Sounds like the inspector did not adequately report the true condition of the plumbing. At this stage the only one to help you will be an attorney.

Hope this helps.

Sue Bernstein