Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Virginia

Damage to house was not fixed before closing.

I bought a house and right before closing a tree fell on it because of Hurricane Isabel. Closing was delayed until it was fixed. Now, the roof leaks where the tree fell and when I called roofers they told me that they didn't put the shingles on right, and they just put some metal under some places to hold it up. Since it was already closed on do I just have to pay for it myself? If I owned the house before the tree fell I would have my insurance company fix it, but I don't know what to do. I have had a quote done and it's going to cost me about $1,000 to get the roof fixed. Is there anything legally I can do?


Asked on 8/07/04, 5:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Damage to house was not fixed before closing.

The closing on your house should've been delayed until the proper inspections had been done which would've revealed the inadequate workmanship. You, apparently, however, either were willing to waive this type of inspection or were satisfied with the word of the roofers(conveyed thru the seller, of course) that it been done in a satisfactory and workmanlike manner. Now about your only remedy (as I see it) is to contact the roofers who did the work (assuming they haven't already absconded to other parts)and request that they make the botched job right.

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Answered on 8/08/04, 10:03 am


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