Seller's Disclosure - Ongoing water issues

[Kylene Heykants]

Hi BP Community,

I recently purchased a SFH with two separate dwellings in Alberta, Canada. Within the first month of owning the property the basement flooded. Flooding is never fun to deal with as a landlord but I'm especially frustrated because I later find out that this has been an ongoing issue with the property. The tenant downstairs has been there for almost two years and her home (the basement) flooded last year. After talking with the neighbor he was also aware that the home had flooded many times in the past. The neighbor also informed me he told the listing agent about the issues. The listing agent is also the property management company that managed the company over the past two years - so she was aware of the recent flood. The listing agent/property manager stated that the previous cause of the flood was rectified as it was a problem with the eavestroughs.

The most recent flood was caused by a sewer back up. Insurance will be covering the loss after a $2500 deductible is paid. I’m unsure at this point if they will be covering the cost of finding out why there was a sewer back up as it has yet to be determined but I sure hope so! I did my due diligence and got a home inspector which he said there was no problems with the eavestrough, slopping wasn’t an issue etc. I’m realizing that I should have asked more questions and not been so trustworthy with the inspection but that’s why we hire professionals right? For their professional opinion.. I also see there is evidence of past flooding in the suite, that I only now see after my tenant has pointed it out to me. A huge disappointment on my part - I should have been more thorough, but again that’s why I hired a professional home inspector as I am not a professional with these matters.

Have any other BP members dealt with on going water issues that were not disclosed during a sale? It may be different in Canada but I’d love to hear others thoughts on this matter. I’m also wondering if I should be reporting my inspector as there were things clearly missed on inspection that point to water issues (eavestroughs not properly working, slight slope towards the home, swollen baseboards, damaged flooring etc.).

What would you do moving forward?

As always BP community, thank you for your time!

Kylene

[Theresa Harris]

Some of the things they won't be able to see-sewer blockage.  You can call the inspector and mention some of the problems and things that they missed.  Often there is a disclaimer that they aren't responsible.  I had one where they missed mold and the best I could get was my money back for the inspection.  Oddly enough I have an inspection this morning and that company does have a warranty.

Now that you know of some of the problems, I'd get them fixed.  A slight slope to the house is easy enough to fix.  Gutters that aren't working-find out why is it because they weren't cleaned last fall (after you bought the house) or is there a blockage in a down spout?  If the house has trees nearby, it doesn't take much for them to get blocked.  Also add downspout extensions so the water from the roof hits the ground further away from the house.

For the sewer, ask them to put a camera down it to see if something was flushed down there that shouldn't have been or if there is a break in the pipe.