Gas pipelines
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Gas pipelines
We closed on a house in PA on September 3rd. We moved in on Sept 21st and tried to turn on the gas on the 23rd. The gas company said they couldn’t because there was a leak in the pipe from the service line to the house. We don’t know when the gas was turned off but we’re under the impression the previous owners lived there until closing. We have the listing photos which show dead grass, one indication there was a gas leak. It was not disclosed or found during the home inspection. Do we have any legal recourse to recover the cost of fixing the pipeline from the previous homeowners?
Asked on September 24, 2019 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
You can sue the seller for fraud if you can prove that they knew of the leak (or should have reasonably knew of it). If the did not knew, then you have no claim here. Much the same can be said regarding the home inspector but in that case you could sue for negligence.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
If you can show that the seller either knew or, based on the circcumstances or evidence logically must have known, of the leak, you can them based on fraud: it is fraud to not disclose a known problem with the home. In this event, you could get compensation for any costs you incur to fix the problem..
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