water damage , who is responsible

[Bobbi_r]

What is the name of your state? MI
We bought this house four years ago and knew there were "minimal" repairs to be made. Well we finally got around to renovating our basement and discovered the walls were rotten under the drywall , panaling and studs! The previous owners must have known this as they nailed up boards on the outside of the house over the rotten wood and painted over them to match the rest. We set about replacing the whole side of the house but then discovered the floors are starting to rot and also the attic is fill of rotten wood and mold .Our insurance will not cover it as they said it was a pre existing condition. We did have the house inspected before purchasing it but none of this was found then. My question is .. Are we solely responsible for the damage or can we go about getting the previous owners and or the inspection company to contribute ? As if that isnt enough we also dicovered while we had the drywall off that the electrical wiring is a horror .. there are wires held together with just electrical tape and lots of splices where they shouldnt be. If we wiggle a wire in the utility room the light goes on and off in my daughters room. This house is a hazzard!
Thank You for letting me vent
Lisa

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by Bobbi_r

What is the name of your state? MI
We bought this house four years ago and knew there were "minimal" repairs to be made. Well we finally got around to renovating our basement and discovered the walls were rotten under the drywall , panaling and studs! The previous owners must have known this as they nailed up boards on the outside of the house over the rotten wood and painted over them to match the rest. We set about replacing the whole side of the house but then discovered the floors are starting to rot and also the attic is fill of rotten wood and mold .Our insurance will not cover it as they said it was a pre existing condition. We did have the house inspected before purchasing it but none of this was found then. My question is .. Are we solely responsible for the damage or can we go about getting the previous owners and or the inspection company to contribute ? As if that isnt enough we also dicovered while we had the drywall off that the electrical wiring is a horror .. there are wires held together with just electrical tape and lots of splices where they shouldnt be. If we wiggle a wire in the utility room the light goes on and off in my daughters room. This house is a hazzard!
Thank You for letting me vent
Lisa

Q: Are we solely responsible for the damage or can we go about getting the previous owners and or the inspection company to contribute ?

A: The prior owners may have to contribute something IF you can prove two things: (1) The extent of the damage on the day you bought it, and (2) that the sellers knew about it before the sale.

[PghREA]

Originally Posted by shellandty

Now who's fault is that???

Well Shellandty, if you're trying to blame the inspector, keep in mind that he is not permitted to remove drywall (to check the wiring) or boards (to see if there is rotted wood underneath). He should have found the mold and rotting boards in the attic though.

Originally Posted by PghREA

Well Shellandty, if you're trying to blame the inspector, keep in mind that he is not permitted to remove drywall (to check the wiring) or boards (to see if there is rotted wood underneath). He should have found the mold and rotting boards in the attic though.

My oops! I misread!

I'll gladly delete my post!

[pojo2]

He should have found the mold and rotting boards in the attic though.

IF it was there when the inspection was done, thus, PROVE it.