Broken Sewer Pipe

[Contrella Dixon]

Purchased a home 9 days ago. On day 7 we noticed sewer coming out of the clean out. The house we purchased was in an estate.  From what we can gather the house has been empty for over two years. Who is responsible for the repair?

[Tim Johnson]

Unfortunately, if you've already closed, you've waived any further contingency for inspections, etc. and you would be responsible for this repair. 

The legal implications may vary by location but where I am in WA state, all sellers (there are exceptions like an estate) are required to submit a "seller disclosure" about the condition of the property which is fairly detailed. If seller has made false statements about the property on that disclosure (in this case about a sewer problem that would have been known to seller)...you may have the possibility of remedies in court. But this is rare. If it was sold as an estate, there is usually no seller disclosure required, and additional due diligence is required of the buyer.