When you buy a new car, you may understand that there are lemon laws in place to protect you from getting a malfunctioning automobile. If you buy a new house and it is faulty, you may be interested to know that there are similar laws that apply to home builders.
What is a Lemon?
A lemon is a home that is considered to have been constructed with serious problems. If the builder of the home did not accurately represent the problems associated with it, the house could be considered a lemon. If the home has a serious problems such as defective materials or dangerous living conditions, you could classify the house as a lemon. For example, if you find mold or a cracked foundation, this could allow you to take advantage of lemon laws.
History
Lemon laws on homes have not always been available and are still unavailable in certain states. Texas was the first state in the nation to enact lemon laws for homes, in 2001. Since that point, other states have also started to bring lemon laws into their state statutes. The federal government does not currently have any laws that protect home buyers on a national level. More states are slowly starting to adopt these laws over time.
Consequences
If it is determined that you have a lemon, the builder could face serious consequences. The builder would initially be given the opportunity to repair the problem or replace the faulty equipment in the home. If the builder is unable to repair the problem, he would be forced to buy the property back from the customer. This allows the majority of lemon law problems to be handled in a professional manner by the builder of the home.
Motor Homes
If you buy a motor home, you would be protected by other lemon laws as well. A motor home is classified as a motor vehicle, and as such, it is protected by the lemon laws that cover cars. If you buy a motor home that is classified as a lemon, the dealer would get the chance to repair it. If the dealer cannot repair it, they would have to replace it for free.
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