If you closed on a house recently, it’s a big moment worth celebrating. However, that celebration can be cut short if you find any plumbing issues in the place. Perhaps the inspection wasn’t done by an accredited individual, or the agent and seller were a bit too close. Regardless, is there any way to hold these people accountable?
In this article, we will address your options when handling plumbing issues after closing on the home. By the end of this article, you’ll have a good idea of where to go.
Decide if it is Worth the Trouble
Anytime you make a used purchase, you almost always run into some problems. Many of those problems are minor and won’t cost too much money. Still, the concept of feeling lied to can be painful.
It’s important to disconnect yourself from the situation a bit. Try and ask your friends what they would do, use that knowledge to decide the worth of pursuing the violator.
If the problem is enormous, start with the seller.
Appeal to the Seller
If the problem is big enough, start by consulting the seller. If you still have their contact information, you may appeal to their better nature. Hopefully, they will be understanding of your plight.
At the very least, you might get them to pay for a portion of it. Having a sudden plumbing emergency is a big deal for everyone. You will have to decide whether or not you will take that as an option. If not, you move onto the agent.
Reach Out To The Agent
Most real estate transactions need a mediator to handle things properly. Your first step will be to reach out to that agent to inform them of your suspicions to address this issue. If this is a recent purchase (within the first week), you’ll have to state your case firmly.
Typically, selling homes require an inspection. When you state that there were problems that the previous party knew of, that means you question the ethics of the inspector, the agent, and the seller. The agent would know to a lesser degree, but they may have resources you can use.
If the agent doesn’t help you, it’s time to consult a lawyer.
Seeking Legal Counsel
Contact a lawyer with the buyer’s agreement and inspection in tow. A lawyer will likely charge you a consultation fee, but telling them of the situation will mean that they can set you on the path.
Your next goal will be to pursue this other party with damages for fraud. Please do not take any calls from them and do not speak fo the case. You wouldn’t want to ruin your chances of winning the case by discussing a private transaction in public.
You will need a pretty compelling reason as to why both the inspector and seller would lie to you. The longer you wait to pursue these damages, the harder it will be to regain.
Final Thoughts
Plumbing issues after closing on your house are pretty disheartening. If you want to be sure that the plumber you hire can handle any problems, contact us at Reliable Drain and Plumbing. We offer emergency plumbing issues for your needs.
