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Laura Stutzman moved into her house at 731 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, at the end of February, she said during code enforcement hearings Monday.
However she claims she never got a disclosure list with the house when she bought it.
Hearing officer Larry Clifford told her she has numerous code violations in the three apartments of the house. He said she is responsible for bringing the property into compliance but she may have a claim against the seller for selling her a house with so many code violations and not giving her a disclosure list.
"You probably need to see a lawyer," Clifford told Stutzman.
Warsaw building inspector and assistant building commissioner Pam Kennedy said it is questionable why there wasn't a disclosure list with the house. Kennedy said it is standard procedure for selling a house to include a disclosure list.
Kennedy said the maintenance repairs can be completed in 30 days and all the electrical boxes need to be reset.
Clifford told Stutzman to have the violations fixed in the apartment she is living in and he gave her 30 days in which to fix them.
Clifford imposed a civil penalty of $1,000, to be postponed until Nov. 6.
In other business:
• The biggest issue with 219 S. Scott St. is that the garage is falling down. Arthur Gonzalez has a mortgage on the property with Wabash County Farm Bureau. He agreed to demolish the garage but requested an extension until June.
Gonzalez said the reshingling of the house roof is almost done. He said it will be finished by winter.
Clifford said as long as the garage is properly supported for its load it can stay up for the winter. Gonzalez can come back April 16 in order to catch up on plans.
• George Wright spoke on behalf of Michael Wright of 704 W. Market St. Kennedy said the property is in 75 percent compliance with city regulations.
George Wright said the gas line to the furnace needs replacing and he requested an extension for the roof repairs and new windows. The plumbing is exposed, too, and it needs covering.
Clifford said the plumbing needs to be finished right away and the windows need to be replaced. He also said he wanted the gas line properly installed by the end of the day Monday. For the plumbing and the windows he imposed a civil penalty of $1,000 to be postponed until Nov. 6.
Kennedy said she would be at the residence Tuesday morning to inspect the gas line.
• Fred and Mary Jane Schmidt own a duplex at 401/403 N. Washington St. Both homes are occupied.
There are five code violations at 401 and two at 403. Fred Schmidt said 401 has been completed and 403 is almost completed.
Kennedy said 403 is in 85 percent compliance. Fred Schmidt requested a three-week extension to finish up. Clifford imposed a civil penalty of $250 to be postponed until Oct. 9.
• Timothy Bell of 716 W. Center St. didn't show up for his hearing. Kennedy said his property is in 75 percent compliance. An interior inspection had been ordered but Kennedy has not been able to inspect the property yet.
Clifford imposed a civil penalty of $1,000 effective immediately for willful noncompliance.
