Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey

sellers failed to disclose plumbing problem

I just closed on the purchase of my home June 27th. I was not able to move into the house until July 14th (due to time off from work and scheduling the movers). On July 19th, I used the washing machine for the first time and discovered a very large crack in the main pipeline, hidden behind four closet doors, placed directly in front of the crack. As I moved the doors to determine the origin of the leak, it dawned on my why these doors were placed particularly in this location, hiding the crack. I did have a home inspection, but the inspection was two months before the closing, in April. The sellers did sign a disclosure statement in March, indicating that that there were no known leaks. I have a very difficult time believing that since they lived here for five years and I only four days, that it just happens to be my ''bad luck''. I also learned at closing that the sellers' agent was a close personal friend who ''hung out'' at the house many times, so I suspect he knew of the pluming problem, as well. Do I have recourse against the sellers? Do I have recourse against the sellers' agent? Do I have recourse against my agent's office? It is estimated that this repair will cost me more than $4000. Thank you


Asked on 8/09/03, 10:49 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Re: sellers failed to disclose plumbing problem

Your closing attorney should contact the Seller, the broker and the Seller's attorney to raise the claim. Also, if the plumbing was visable behind the doors, you may also have a claim against your inspection company. Sounds like either a contract violation (plumbing to be in working order at time of closing) or possible fraud.

Read more
Answered on 8/14/03, 12:33 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in New Jersey