Oct. 03, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks) today announced the introduction of a two-bill package to expand protections for homebuyers and better hold homebuilders accountable for construction defects.
“My office and others have received numerous complaints from homeowners who purchased a new home only to find out it contained an expensive, and in a few cases dangerous, construction defect,” O’Neill said. “These defects involve faulty workmanship, improper installation or defective materials, and often affected other homes within the same development.”
O’Neill’s first proposal,
House Bill 1831, would increase the amount of time a property owner has to file a lawsuit (from the date of the completion of construction) from 12 years to 15 years. It would also permit subsequent owners to file suit for construction defects within the 15-year timeframe.
House Bill 1833, O’Neill’s second measure, would require a builder, upon learning of a defect, to notify the homeowner and any other homeowner whom the builder suspects may be affected.
“In many cases we’ve heard, homebuilders were aware of instances in which home construction defects existed at a property, but did nothing to notify other affected homeowners,” O’Neill said. “This would help ensure similarly impacted families could remedy an issue before it becomes dangerous and hold the appropriate contractors accountable.”
Under this bill, homebuilders would be liable for any damages that result from failure to notify property owners of known construction defects.
“The goal of my legislation is to expand protections for homeowners who, through no fault of their own, are faced with costly remediation of construction defects and potential health hazards,” O’Neill said. “Families, who are often making the largest purchase of their lives, deserve better.”
Representative Bernie O’Neill
29th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
RepONeill.com