Why we need a Homeowner's Bill of Rights: Stories from Washingtonians (Part IV)

Welcome to the fourth installment in our special series counting down the hours remaining until Friday evening's 5 PM bill cutoff deadline, when this year's Homeowner's Bill of Rights legislation will expire unless voted on by the state House of Representatives. Each post in this series features stories from homeowners who have been victimized by negligent construction.

These are stories of Evergreen State families who have, through no fault of their own, lost their life’s savings, their health, their ability to finance their children’s college education, and their prosperity because there was a defect or problem with the workmanship of their home.

Countdown Clock: 21 Hours, 15 Minutes Remaining Until Cutoff

Senate Bill 6385, if enacted, would give the same rights that condo owners already enjoy to homeowners. It provides families with a recourse if their most valuable investment is damaged by contractor negligence. Under current law, homeowners get stuck with the bill for shoddy workmanship. There is no warranty, no protections in place to help those who have been victimized.

We urge you to join us in calling on House Speaker Frank Chopp to bring SB 6385 to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. If SB 6385 gets to the floor it is sure to pass - and Governor Chris Gregoire is ready to sign it.

But it has to make it out of the Rules Committee first.

We continue our countdown with the Wheatley family's story.

We had a home built in 1999 for our new family. We had three small children born while living at this home.

Our family was very ill. We discovered after living there for four years that our builder had left a hole in the roof and water was leaking through the walls, which created Stachybotrys toxic mold.

About $100,000.00 later, we are still fighting the battle. We have been in a lawsuit for four years, and there is no end in sight.

We were able to move from the home, so our health has improved, but we still fight the effects daily.

Just last week, "the other side" offered us a settlement of $35,000.00.

It doesn't seem fair that our family, and many others, have to go through this awful mess. Our family has been living a nightmare.

We only have God on our side, and would appreciate it if our government was too!

Here's how to get in touch with Speaker Chopp:

District Office:
444 NE Ravenna Blvd, Suite 106
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 729-3223

Olympia Office:
339C Legislative Bldg.
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7920

Toll-free Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-635-9993
Email: chopp.frank (at) leg.wa.gov