The owner my niece of a recently purchased used mobile home have found major water damage and mold in the roof and it needs to be replaced. Can they go back to the previous owner to get all or part of the replacement paid for?
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The owner my niece of a recently purchased used mobile home have found major water damage and mold in the roof and it needs to be replaced. Can they go back to the previous owner to get all or part of the replacement paid for?
The mobile home was purchased
Asked on June 15, 2019 under Real Estate Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
Assuming that the previous owner knew, or could to shown to have logically known (that is, based on the facts, any reasonable owner in their situation would have known) about the leaks and mold, then in failing to disclose a known but not readily obvious (to a buyer) condition, the seller committed fraud. Fraud would provide a basis to sue for compensation--such as the lesser of the cost to remediate/repair the condition, or the then-current value of the home (if it can't economically or feasibly be repaired). So if it appears that the owner must have known but hid the information, your neice could sue for fraud.
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