Posted: | April 15, 2021 03:41 PM |
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From: | Representative Joseph C. Hohenstein |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Residential Construction Protection Package |
A family’s most valuable investment is their home. It is where we watch our children grow, where we celebrate life’s victories, and where we comfort one another during difficult times. In recent years, several issues have arisen in the Philadelphia region regarding residential construction and faulty, defective building materials and/or building techniques. It can be devastating for a family to learn that because of shoddy techniques used during construction, they now are facing repairs that could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Because I believe homeowners deserve a fair deal, I am introducing a four-bill package that seeks to protect family homes and increase standards and safeguards for residential homes. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as HB1854
Description: | A Residential Construction Lemon Law – As we have seen from the automotive industry, too often lawsuits are added to the “cost of doing business” and the only way to ensure that proper attention is paid to quality and safety is to ensure that purchasers have a remedy in law for a defective product. This legislation will create such a guarantee which will provide that if there are a number of defects in new construction within the first two years from delivery to the owner, the builder shall repair construction defects at no cost to the owner within six months or could be liable for double the repair costs. |
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Introduced as HB1855
Description: | Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act – Flipping – Requires that a for a contractor or house flipper to be considered an “owner” under the act, they must live in the home as a private residence for one year following construction. This closes a loophole and ensures that house flippers are held responsible for the residences that they are rehabilitating. |
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Introduced as HB1856
Description: | Adjacent Neighbor’s Bill of Rights – This bill advises homeowners of their rights and the laws surrounding construction including limitations on the hours when construction can occur, rights to clean and safe access, and rights to hold construction officials liable for any damage or disobedience to the law. | |
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Introduced as HB1857
Description: | Continuing Education for Construction Code Officials – Enhances the continuing education requirements for code enforcement officers to include education on illegal construction practices and adds the Attorney General as an entity capable of providing continuing education. The legislation will also require continuing education for residential building code inspectors include education on proper installation of stucco. | |
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