You just moved into your new Toledo home, only to find a massive crack in the foundation hidden behind storage shelves or severe water damage concealed by fresh paint. These unwanted surprises leave many homeowners angry and worried about repair costs. Ohio law protects buyers from sellers who deliberately hide major property problems. Still, you need to act fast to claim your rights.
What counts as seller concealment in Ohio?
Ohio law requires sellers to tell buyers about significant problems that could affect a home’s value or safety. When sellers knowingly hide these issues or lie on disclosure forms, they break the law. Common examples include:
- Fresh paint or new drywall covering water damage or mold
- Furniture placed to hide structural cracks
- False statements about past repairs
- Hidden evidence of pest problems
- Undisclosed system failures like HVAC or electrical
Your legal rights as a buyer
The law gives you several ways to recover money for repairs when sellers hide problems:
- Sue for fraud to get repair costs and damages.
- File a breach of contract claim.
- Ask to cancel the sale in extreme cases.
- Work with the seller through attorneys to settle.
To build a strong case, you should:
- Take photos of all the problems you find.
- Get written repair estimates.
- Save your home inspection report.
- Talk to neighbors about known issues.
- Find previous contractors who worked on the house.
Time matters in these cases. Ohio gives you four years to file a fraud claim, but evidence gets more challenging to gather as time passes. Repair costs can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. A real estate attorney can review your case and help you take action before it’s too late. The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of getting the seller to pay for their dishonesty.
