Do You Have a Legal Case Based on an Inhabitable Home?

Do You Have a Legal Case Based on an Inhabitable Home?

6 July 2021
 Categories: Law, Blog


Real estate lawyers see a variety of difficult cases each year. Often, these legal services step in because somebody is dealing with an issue that a landlord, owner, or company has not been dealing with appropriately.

Many of these cases involve homes that are not habitable, leading to legal disputes that may require an additional examination by the courts. These are some of the cases that can lead to a real estate legal matter.

No Heat

If you live somewhere that becomes very cold in the winter, you need to have working heat. A freezing home is not considered livable, and each home needs to have a suitable HVAC or heating system to ensure the residents do not suffer.

Unsafe Building Materials

Many older properties were not outfitted with materials deemed safe by modern standards. This means that many dangerous materials still hide out in the walls of homes. These materials include things like asbestos and lead paint. Property owners have a responsibility to remove unsafe materials or warn those living in the home ahead of time that the home may contain these materials.

Mold

Mold can be deadly, and even when it is not deadly, it can still be extremely dangerous to have in your home. Mold can cause serious illnesses, some of which have permanent side effects. The presence of undisclosed mold can lead to a strong claim that nobody should be living in a building.

Major Pest Issues

Many real estate laws around the world require that a home be inspected for certain pests before it is sold to a new party, and there is good reason for this. Certain pests, like scorpions, can make a home dangerous to live in. Others, like termites, cause structural damage that also makes a home uninhabitable.

Structural Damage

Structural damage can lead to a major disaster at any time. Visible cracks, roof damage, and even unseen dangers can all lead to collapse, mold issues, and more. Proof that a roof is on the verge of collapse due to water damage is one example that could make a house legally uninhabitable.

Get In Touch With a Real Estate Lawyer

When you are trying to determine the habitability of a home, it is important to contact a real estate lawyer. You can work out a situation to recover your financial losses or fight actions against you based on the habitability of a home.