Trouble in Houston

[MGFARMER]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Texas

A friend bought a condo in Houston 2 yrs ago that has water intruding the unit every time it rains. A sinkhole developed under the unit and the floor dropped over 4". The association raised the floor, but refuses to pay for the resulting interior damage. They also refuse to correct the problem causing the flooding or repair the structural damage or her unit's damage. We recently found out the unit has flooded over 35 times since 7/97.

We have tried mediation, but the association refuses. We have tried working through the Board to no avail. Attoneys have written letters, but the only response is the association will fix what they want to, when they want. In the meantime, there are holes in the ceiling where contractors have inspected the structural damage, mildew growing in the walls and she can no longer live in the unit. She can't sell the unit either with all of the damage.

Does she have any recourse short of litigation? Funds are short and litigation expensive. Is there any kind of forced mediation available under the circumstances?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by MGFARMER

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Texas

A friend bought a condo in Houston 2 yrs ago that has water intruding the unit every time it rains. A sinkhole developed under the unit and the floor dropped over 4". The association raised the floor, but refuses to pay for the resulting interior damage. They also refuse to correct the problem causing the flooding or repair the structural damage or her unit's damage. We recently found out the unit has flooded over 35 times since 7/97.

We have tried mediation, but the association refuses. We have tried working through the Board to no avail. Attoneys have written letters, but the only response is the association will fix what they want to, when they want. In the meantime, there are holes in the ceiling where contractors have inspected the structural damage, mildew growing in the walls and she can no longer live in the unit. She can't sell the unit either with all of the damage.

Does she have any recourse short of litigation? Funds are short and litigation expensive. Is there any kind of forced mediation available under the circumstances?

**A: she knew 2 years ago that she needed to litigate. What else can we tell you?