Can a buyer take legal action against a realtor for incomplete inspection reports?

Full question:

A real estate only sent the buyer of property one-half of the home inspection report prior to closing. After that it was discovered that the ENTIRE inspection report was not given to the buyer. Now the buyer has to pay over $5,000 for repairs just to bring the house up to electrical code. Is there legal action that can be taken against the realtor?

Answer:

In some cases, failing to disclose important information can be considered fraudulent. This allows the harmed party to seek remedies similar to those available for false statements made intentionally. A party aware of a defect or harmful condition has a duty to disclose this information if it is not obvious to the other party and is unlikely to be discovered by them. In a confidential relationship, such as between a realtor and client, the realtor must reveal any material information when dealing with the client. Thus, the realtor's failure to disclose the complete inspection report can have the same legal consequences as making a false statement about a material fact.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Yes, sellers typically should see the inspection report. It helps them understand the property's condition and address any issues before closing. Sharing the report can also foster transparency and trust in the transaction. However, the seller is not legally required to provide the report to the buyer unless specified in the purchase agreement.