Are the previous homeowners liable for damage?

4 years ago

We closed on our house a month ago and just moved in. When we were bringing in our washer and dryer, we found the laundry room floor flooded and the wall where the hoses for the washing machine are were wet and soggy with mildew halfway up. When the previous homeowners moved and took their washer out, they left the water hoses hanging down to the floor. One of the hoses had a constant leak, it filled up a large kitchen pot about an inch overnight.. Now we have to rip out the dry wall and replace it, as well as replace the floor and repaint.

Are the previous homeowners liable for the damage since it is from how they left it?

Featured Answer

remodeling1840

4 years ago

You have owned the house for a month. Personally, not legally-I am not a lawyer-, I feel you own the problem. If the furnace goes out, a tree limb falls on the garage, a light bulb burns out, it has been yours since the time of closing. I don’t like this new trend of electronic closings because this can happen if you are not present for the closing.

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Comments (8)

dadoes
4 years ago
Check with a RE lawyer.

I recently helped a friend move. There were caps on the washer faucets. I found that the hot tap dripped a smidgen upon removing the cap to connect the machine. Your previous owners at minimum could have placed the dripping hose into the drain standpipe to avoid the damage.
wiscokid
4 years ago
You may wish to post this in "Buying & Selling Houses" category as well.

What state are you in? Laws vary greatly from state to state.
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remodeling1840
4 years ago
What did you see when you did the walkthrough?
wiscokid
4 years ago
hence my question about which state OP was in - I've learned from others here that walkthroughs are not a "thing" everywhere....
outpaientzero
4 years ago
You don't have insurance?
MizLizzie
4 years ago
Yes, state law matters significantly. The fact that the house sat vacant for a month post-closing clouds the issue. Filing an insurance claim for water damage can haunt you, especially if it escalates into mold. In many states, water damage must be disclosed when you go to resell the home. I feel your pain. Good luck.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
Life isn't fair. You got screwed and they're getting away with it. Pay up and move on please.