Home Defects and Damage

Whether new or old, houses are complex systems that sometimes deliver unpleasant surprises -- a leaking roof or windows, a cracked foundation, substandard wiring, and so on. Learn what you can do—or where and how you can seek compensation—after a defect comes to light.

Even newly built homes are rarely perfect. Here are red flags that might be clues to major problems.

Whether you are planning ahead for a future earthquake or tsunami, or you just received a red-flag warning or an immediate evacuation order, below is a list of key items to put in your “go bag.” They fall roughly into the categories of: items you, your family, and your pets will need for immediate

Do you have a claim, what evidence will you need to prove it, and what damages might you be awarded?

Construction defects are a common issue with newly built homes. Here's what to do.

What if something was wrong with the property at the time you bought it, and someone—the seller, the seller's agent, or the inspector—could or should have told you about it but didn't? Try approaches such as a demand letter or mediation before rushing to court.

If your contract is solely with the developer, that might be the only party you can sue for home defects, but that's not the end of the story.

As a homeowner, do you have any chance of recovery from your home inspector to cover the cost of repairs for defects the inspector didn't warn you of?

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated personal casualty and theft losses except for those related to a presidentially declared disaster.

If you didn't discover the home builder's faulty work until years later, you might still be able to sue, depending on your state's statute of limitations and statute of repose (if any) on construction-defect lawsuits.

Learn about the kinds of homeowners’ coverage that might be available to cover your slip and fall claim, and how to make a claim with the homeowners’ insurance company.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Resolve neighbor conflicts and get peace of mind

Online Form

Quitclaim Deed

Legally Transfer Property with a Quitclaim Deed

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

More Legal Issues

Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.

Learn About Our Team

Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

Need a Lawyer? We Can Help

Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.

01

Describe Your Case

Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.

02

Get Connected

We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.

03

Hire an Attorney

Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.

Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On

Get Professional Help
Talk to a Real Estate attorney.
How It Works
  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you