Karina and Ryan's new home has termites and black mould
Reports say the house is not safe to live in, and the family has no money left.
Karina and Ryan bought the house at the start of this year for their two young sons. The house flooded on the first night, and the shower pipe was floating, not even attached to the drain.
The family says they got sick weeks later, and their son could not get out of bed. The family says the cause was black mould, found on every floorboard and wall they pulled up.
A pre-sale inspection found dampness and minor termite damage on a window sill. The couple took no further steps, apart from an outside termite search.
Ryan says termite damage is significant through the living area and was just patched over. Lawyer Melany Dowse says buyers should investigate before settlement, and proving hidden defects is hard.
The family needs to move out, but they have no money left.
Why it mattersHidden house problems are hard to prove legally, so buyers should check every report carefully before settling.
AustraliaAustralian buyers should ask for inspection reports in writing and check them before settlement.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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