<\/p>\n\u201cHidden defects are those that are not obvious or visually apparent. They are the opposite of patent defects, which are obvious, visually observable flaws, such as a hole in the wall.\u201d<\/h2>\n
<\/at-heading><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
How Buyers Can Protect Themselves From Hidden Defects<\/b><\/h3>\n
To protect yourself from latent defects in the home-buying process, we urge all first-time homebuyers to opt for a home inspection before closing on the property. A home inspection conducted by a qualified professional will help you identify any defects, patent or latent, that you may not have otherwise been aware of. With the results of the home inspection, you can make an informed decision about whether to purchase a specific property.\u00a0<\/p>\n
–<\/span>
Beyond a home inspection, ask the seller to complete a Seller Property Information Sheet (SPIS). This is the official document where a seller must disclose any known hidden defects in the home. Carefully read through the seller\u2019s answers and don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions. For example, if the seller claims there are no issues with the furnace, ask when a professional last inspected it. Ideally, buyers should request a copy of the SPIS before the home inspection takes place so the inspector can review it.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”35px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”1002″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
What to Do if You Find a Hidden Defect in Your Home<\/h2>\n
So you found a hidden defect in your home. What now? The problem with hidden defects is that they are often invisible, which means even the most vigilant homebuyers may discover one after the closing of a sale. If you find a hidden defect in your newly purchased home, don’t panic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0–<\/span><\/p>\nFirst, it\u2019s important to note that in Ontario, a buyer has two years from the day the hidden defect was found to bring a lawsuit against the seller. This two-year period typically begins on the day the buyer discovered the defect but may also begin on the day a reasonable person would have become aware of the defect. When a hidden defect is discovered, the buyer often assumes that the seller knew about it and failed to disclose it. Regardless of whether this is true, the onus is on the seller to prove that they did not know about, nor could they have known about, the defect. If the seller can successfully prove this, the buyer is not likely to win the lawsuit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0–<\/span><\/p>\nFor a buyer\u2019s claim to be successful, they typically must prove that the seller (or their real estate agent\/broker) made a certain representation of a fact to them, that this representation was false, that the seller made this false representation knowingly or recklessly, that the seller intended for the buyer to act on this representation, and that the buyer acted on this representation and has suffered losses as a result. To increase your chances of a successful hidden defects lawsuit, you may wish to hire a lawyer.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”9px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||76px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”BaseTitle” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”What is meant by hidden defects?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Hidden defects, otherwise known as latent defects, are those that are not visually apparent or easily discoverable upon inspection. They are the opposite of patent defects, which are obvious flaws, such as a crack on the side of the home. For this reason, sellers do not have an obligation to disclose patent defects as they do hidden defects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What are invisible defects?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Invisible defects is another name for hidden or latent defects. Invisible defects get their name from the fact that they are often hard to spot, hiding behind walls, or in pipes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What is an example of a latent defect?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Examples of latent defects include faulty wiring or knob-and-tube wiring, lead in the drinking water, a basement that leaks each spring, a leaking roof without any obvious water damage, pest infestation, mould behind the walls, or electrical issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What is most likely to be a latent defect?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Common latent defects may include damage behind walls, such as bad wiring, rusted pipes, mould, or a termite infestation.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Who is liable for latent defects?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The answer to this question depends on whether the seller knew about the latent defect or not. In Ontario, sellers are required to disclose any known hidden defects to the buyer. Therefore, if a seller is aware of a hidden defect and fails to disclose it to a prospective buyer, they will be found liable. If a buyer discovers a hidden defect after the closing of the sale or even after they\u2019ve taken possession of the property, they can file a lawsuit against the seller. The onus is on the seller to prove that they did not know about the defect, nor could they have reasonably known about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”48px||48px||true|false” global_module=”2651″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Emily Southey” image=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-7.46.57-PM.png” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.2em” body_text_color=”#686E6E” body_line_height=”0em” width=”550px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”2px||13px|||” header_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_font_size_phone=”20px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_line_height_phone=”1.4em” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:64px;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Wahi Writer<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||49px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_socialsharing module_class=”wahi_socialsharing_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_socialsharing][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”42px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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