Full question:
Disclosure of a suicide in our home. The suicide occurred six months before we bought the house. The real estate company and former owner told us her husband died of cancer in the hospital. Were they required to tell us the truth about our home?
- Category: Real Property
- Subcategory: Seller's Disclosures
- Date:
- State: West Virginia
Answer:
Some states require information about a death, such as a murder or suicide, to be disclosed to the buyer of a home. Laws vary by state. West Virginia does not have a state statute requiring disclosure of a suicide in the home. It will be a matter of subjective determination for the court based on all the facts and circumstances involved to decide whether the seller lied about something that would have affected the decision of a reasonable person to purchase or the value of the home. For example, if you had inquired about the cause of death or made the seller aware that it was a factor in your decision, it may weigh in the court's determination.
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.
