State lawmakers want to restore the ability of home buyers to sue a seller, if it's found they concealed a defect in the home. The move comes after a State Supreme Court ruling this month stripped buyers of the ability to sue for punitive damages, if it's later found the seller hid a problem with a home. State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) says that gives sellers more incentive to lie, because the worse that can happen is they'll have to fix the problem.
Erpenbach is working on legislation with State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) that would restore some recourse for buyers. He says it may require some work to honor the high court's ruling, but something must be done to protect consumers.
Buyers can still sue to recover the cost of repairing the damage. However, Erpenbach says home inspectors are concerned because the ruling could put more pressure on them. The Middleton Democrat says realtors also want to make sure both sides are protected.
The bill would likely be introduced during the next Legislative session, beginning in January.