Newly Built home built on collapsed sewer line

[Jana Malveaux]

Old house was torn down, Brand new home was built. Construction company wanted to push back home to avoid a tree. New home was built further back from its original location. Foundation still under warranty. Walls, walls near windows, doors, and foundation itself have cracked substantially over time. Observed that cracked foundation Is even with cat basin on the left and even with neighbor outdoor laundry house on the right. Couple years later Front of Neighbor outdoor laundry house collapsed inside large hole filled with sewage. Sewer line collapsed. Inspection revealed that my brand new house was built on top of the sewer line and that it too has collapsed, I guess giving reason to why my home is splitting in half directly where the sewer line is said to be. What do I do now? Construction company who warranties the foundation never contacted me, and my brand new home is falling apart. Is it violation of building code to directly build someone’s home on top of a sewer line? My neighbor and I share the cat basin between our house. It’s literally in front of her bedroom window. Distraught.

[Paul Sofia]

It doesn't matter when the home was built.  As long as the builder was in the guidelines of the setbacks, not much you can do.  If there was no deeded easement recorded, you may have a hard time suing anyone.   If there is one, then the attorney that closed your piece of property would have a problem on his/her hands, if not, you can sue the town that owns the sewer line.    I have come come across this more than once.  I have found some by mistake due to having to dig footers deeper than normal to get to solid ground.  I am getting ready to build a few specs on a newly acquired parcel where there is the same issue.