By: Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
Last year, my friend's house burned down because of aluminum electric wires. The people who sold her the home did not disclose that it had this kind of wiring. Are the sellers liable for the fire damage because of this lack of disclosure? -- Rosetta
Dear Rosetta,
Most people are totally unaware of the specific kinds of electrical hardware installed in their homes. The sellers of your friend's home probably had no idea that their wiring was comprised of aluminum. If the buyer, your friend, had hired a home inspector prior to closing escrow, the presence of aluminum wire and an explanation of the fire hazards inherent with aluminum wire connections would have been disclosed. The question, therefore, is not one of seller liability but of due diligence on the part of the buyer. Did she hire an inspector? If so, did the inspector disclose and explain the wiring?
In any event, fire damages and reconstruction of the home should be covered by the home owners insurance policy, not by the sellers. Hopefully, your friend had the wisdom to buy fire insurance.
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