Property and Hidden Defects Lawyers
Whether you sell or purchase a home, you may be faced with one of the following situations that must be dealt with promptly. Whether you’re a seller or a buyer, if you’re facing a problem related to latent defects, our assistance in the legal process will prove to be extremely valuable.
Property lawyer
Condominium disputes, latent defect lawsuits and other property law matters require the sound advice of an experienced lawyer in cases where representation is necessary.
Sellers
When the time comes to sell one’s home, there are various elements that must be taken into consideration and verified, but certain ones can be subtle, if not completely unknown. Nevertheless, you should know that, even if you’ve already sold your home and you were unaware of certain problems related to it, claims can still be submitted against you months or even years after the sale. There can be multiple latent defects, including leaks in the roof, cracks in the foundation and pyrite, among others. It’s best to be prudent and proactive. Consult us to make sure you’re protected.
Buyers
Did you recently purchase a new residence and a while after you moved in you noticed a latent defect that either makes the home unlivable or will cost a lot of money to repair? As soon as you become aware of a defect, you should immediately seek the advice of an attorney specializing in latent defects to ensure that you don’t exceed the statute of limitations and compromise your rights.“A buyer who ascertains that the property is defective shall give notice in writing of the defect to the seller within a reasonable time after discovering it. Where the defect appears gradually, the time begins to run on the day that the buyer could suspect the seriousness and extent of the defect.” Civil Code of Quebec Article 1739If the seller knew about the defect or couldn’t have been unaware of it, the buyer can submit a claim for damages.“The seller is bound to warrant the buyer that the property and its accessories are, at the time of the sale, free of latent defects which render it unfit for the use for which it was intended or which so diminish its usefulness that the buyer would not have bought it or paid so high a price if he had been aware of them.” Civil Code of Quebec Article 1726For all your needs in the area of housing law, schedule an appointment with our team, attorneys specializing in latent defects.
Examples of lawsuits for latent defects
Do cracks revealed by the inspector constitute awareness of defect? →
ABB Inc. v. Domtar Inc.: How to evaluate whether a defect is hidden or not →