Bat Infestation

What is the name of your state? alabama

Just over one year ago my wife and I purchased a home. 2 days Prior to the closing I asked my wife to contact the realtor about what appeared to be burn or smoke marks near the roof eave. I told her to ask when the fire was and when the roof was replaced and so forth. We were informed the day of the closing there was no previous fire in the residence. We subsequently found out that there were bats in the attic. We though no problem a few bats would be easy to get rid of. Seems this is not the case. It took me about 1 year to get a a name of someone who specializes in this, none seems to reside in alabama. Remoing the bats is the easy part. Seems there is a problem with the fecal matter. It has to be removed because for obvious reasons it is harzardous. Here's the problem. It is not a few bats it is a colony that has lived there over 20 years, approximately 500 to 1000 bats. I learned this from the neighbors who have assured me that they will sign affadavits to this. Being that the house is infested not only must I clean the attic but the whole house (not and exxageration) the whole house well eventually have to be gutted to remove the fecal matter. This will cost in a range from 160 to 200,000 dollars. I was not infromed of the infestation prior to the closing. And of course you do not hear them or see them during the day wen we looked at the house because they are in the walls and nooks and crannies and they sleep during the day. This in my view was a serious act of "non'disclosure". The owners and the realtor knew of this and said nothing to me. Not only is the cost of "gutting the house a expense I cannot afford, my wife and I cannot live here while it happens. I basically have a EPA problem of huge proportions. Whoever answers know this, I am tired of being kicked around by everyone and their brother because I am the "nice guy" to everyone. This action by the realtor and the owner is unjust and reprehensible. What legal grounds to I have?

[JETX]

Without even considering the 'disclosure' issue, I have to ask.... did you have an inspection done on the house?? And if so, how did this inspector miss what was very likely an incredibly strong ammonia odor from the guano???

Originally posted by JETX
Without even considering the 'disclosure' issue, I have to ask.... did you have an inspection done on the house?? And if so, how did this inspector miss what was very likely an incredibly strong ammonia odor from the guano???

To be honest I have gone over the paperwork and have found only the State Termite inspection report. That is so far. The "batman" for lack of a better term is coming to look this weekend and I will be speaking with the attorney who was involved with the sale of the home on monday 9/08/03

[JETX]

The inspection I am referring to would be YOUR hired inspection of the premises, not one done by someone else.

[HomeGuru]

It is my opinion that a termite and a home inspector should have discovered the bats and at least made a note of them. The home inspector is not required to look for bats though.

[Souix]

Originally posted by Gen0831
To be honest I have gone over the paperwork and have found only the State Termite inspection report. That is so far. The "batman" for lack of a better term is coming to look this weekend and I will be speaking with the attorney who was involved with the sale of the home on monday 9/08/03

***Just wondering, did you hire this termite inspector or did your agent? Were you present for the inspection? I would think with that many bats in the attic that the inspector would have found them and the smell would have been obnoxious. I've had inspectors tell me they can smell rats and mice.....I wonder how this one would miss something so obvious. Did the inspector even go into the attic?***

I feel your pain. My boyfriend and I have just purchased a house in PA and have a major bat infestion also. Neither the home owner nor the home inspector said anything. I am also seeking advice, but will put a post of my own.

As for your problem, the only advice that I can offer is what I have been told by our lawyer. We can either put out the money and then sue for the loss and damages or we can wait while we sue for this to be fixed. Either way it is going to take time. I also have had the run around by everyone. Even our homeowner insurance wont cover the loss of use. Why? Because bats arent cover, yet their fecal matter is highly toxic and dangerous if there are spores on it and it gets disturbed. Our home also has to be gutted and completly residged. Not sure about you but, we are unable to live on the second floor of our home. There are six of us living in the down stairs.

If nothing else, know that you are not alone on this one.

[HomeGuru]

[quote]Originally posted by dee4kids
[b]I feel your pain. My boyfriend and I have just purchased a house in PA and have a major bat infestion also. Neither the home owner nor the home inspector said anything. I am also seeking advice, but will put a post of my own.

As for your problem, the only advice that I can offer is what I have been told by our lawyer. We can either put out the money and then sue for the loss and damages or we can wait while we sue for this to be fixed. Either way it is going to take time. I also have had the run around by everyone. Even our homeowner insurance wont cover the loss of use. Why? Because bats arent cover, yet their fecal matter is highly toxic and dangerous if there are spores on it and it gets disturbed. Our home also has to be gutted and completly residged. Not sure about you but, we are unable to live on the second floor of our home. There are six of us living in the down stairs.

If nothing else, know that you are not alone on this one.

**A: what does completely residged mean?

Originally posted by Souix
***Just wondering, did you hire this termite inspector or did your agent? Were you present for the inspection? I would think with that many bats in the attic that the inspector would have found them and the smell would have been obnoxious. I've had inspectors tell me they can smell rats and mice.....I wonder how this one would miss something so obvious. Did the inspector even go into the attic?***

The agent paid for the termite inspection report. And I have not found out yet if they are required to go thru the whole house or not. To answer someone elses question I did not have an inspection done. Found out saturday that there are between 500 and 1000 bats up there. Just the removal is quite a bit of money. I also called another realty company and explained my situation (without using names of course) and literally and without paraphrasing this company said "get a lawyer". I thank everyone for there responses the insight has helped very much.

[HomeGuru]

Originally posted by Gen0831
The agent paid for the termite inspection report. And I have not found out yet if they are required to go thru the whole house or not. To answer someone elses question I did not have an inspection done. Found out saturday that there are between 500 and 1000 bats up there. Just the removal is quite a bit of money. I also called another realty company and explained my situation (without using names of course) and literally and without paraphrasing this company said "get a lawyer". I thank everyone for there responses the insight has helped very much.

**A: I agree with the get a lawyer.