Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Missouri
city vs. landowner
A house falls into a 75 foot deep sink hole that was not known to anyone. The city says deed us your property and we won't make you pay to fill hole. What options does the landowner have. This is a real situation that is happening in Nixa Mo
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: city vs. landowner
A homeowner in the situation you described has many options. First, make a claim on the homeowner's insurance policy. Second get an expert to determine what caused the sink hole. Sometimes these occur due to abandoned mines or utility shafts. Other times it is from activity on adjacent property that has weakended the integrity of this property, causing the house to fall in.
Third the homeowner should find out what it will cost to fill the hole. This is needed whether someone else is at fault. Compare this with the value of the house and property.
Lastly, see what the city or other party is willing to pay for the property "as is." Even with the hole, the land is not worthless.
There are other options that may be pursued, but these are the basic ones.
Good Luck
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