HUD Notice on Mold

[Guest guest]

Here is a good news, bad news, very bad news item. And another

example why those of us who have been victimzed often feel such

Anger!

WARNING: You may therefore not want to read the rest of this post --

unless you are considering buying HUD property.

- HUD acknowledges the potential health effects of mold. Good.

- HUD encourages buyers (in big bold type) to INSPECT. Good.

- However, " Purchasers are hereby notified and agree that they are

solely responsible for any required remediation and/or resulting

damages, including, but not limited to, any effects on health, due to

radon or mold in, on or around the property. " Very Bad.

See the May 28, 2004 HUDCLIPS notice at:

http://www.hudclips.org/cgi/index_cliphome.cgi

and click on 2004 Housing Notices, then click Radon Gas and Mold

Notice and Release Agreement. Read carefully, but here are some

excerpts:

" ...important information to potential purchasers of HUD-acquired

single family properties that radon gas and some molds have the

potential to cause serious health problems. ... Mold is visibly

evident, but can also be found in areas that are not readily visible;

for example, mold can be found behind barriers such as shower tile

where the tile would have to be removed to expose the extent of the

mold. ...

" The Department is requiring that the attached agreement be included

with all sales contracts to ensure that all purchasers are aware that

radon gas and mold may cause health problems. "

There is also a link to the required form. But please note that

although this notification acknowledges the potential for health

problems, the form is a full release of liability of all parties into

the future.

So if you purchase a HUD property, make sure you have appropriate

inspections and assessments by ethical, qualified professionals. Not

for the purpose of identifying what HUD needs to correct, but solely

to determine whether or not to buy the house. In other words, if you

buy you are buying the house " as is. " Bad, because nothing has

changed despite the appearance to the contrary.

What is so aggravating -- it took someone else pointing this out

before I " got it " -- is that the initial impression is that HUD is

protecting the health of buyers. In actuality and despite initial

impressions, it is protecting everyone but the buyer (potential

victim) by eliminating all recourse forever. Very, very bad.

---------------------

Carl E.Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

grimes@...

303-671-9653

303-751-0416 fax

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