Seller disclosure fraud

[Nolan Connor]

This past Friday I closed on my first rental property. After all documents were signed the seller told me to not flush toilet paper down the toilet bc it backs up and she doesn’t want what happened to her to happen to me. My realtor kind of shrugged it off and said it’s not that uncommon in the area (PA, lower income area, old homes). So we left, all documents had already been signed. It didn’t sit well with me so today I had a plumber take a look and they quoted me $14,500 because pipes need replacing. Getting a second quote tomorrow. On the sellers disclosure the seller marked “no” to any sewage issues. What recourse do I have here? What’s my best next step? 

Thanks for all the help in advance 

[Russell Brazil]

As you said, the seller speaks Spanish. I'm assuming the disclosure form was in English. So simply with that fact, you won't be likely to prove someone had the intention of hiding a latent defect.

Additionally, you did an inspection but didn't do a sewer scope. So given the oppurtunity to inspect and discover this, you chose not to. May have been an actual choice, or simply unaware that you should have, either way a court case on this would go nowhere.

Use it as a learning experience for the next time around.