Warranty Issues
QUESTION: I just purchased a brand new condo in November. Ever since purchasing, I've managed to have a plumbing problem about every month. Each time the repairs are made by the homebuilder, nothing out of my own pocket. But I suffer by having to take time off of work and worrying that something else will happen. At what point do I have any legal options? ANSWER: The Virginia Condominium Act contains a warranty provision from the Declarant (usually the builder) to both individual owners for their units and the Association for common areas which is Virginia Code §55-79.79. Units are covered for 2 years after sale. I do not know if this is a plumbing problem existing in the common elements or within your unit but would suggest that you get the relevant information from the plumbers making the repairs. As long as the Declarant is honoring the warranty there is little to be done and as a general rule, the time off and aggravation would not be compensable in a lawsuit. Jeanne S. Lauer