My husband and I made an offer on a house about 2 weeks ago and found out today that meth was made on this property aproximately 50 times. There are 4 buildings including the house on 80 acres. The newspaper article said that the meth was made in a camper trailer behind a shed or near a shed. I also contacted the police drug investigator and confirmed the story was true. I really love the place and was wondering if it would be possible to live there without any effects? I was also told that it would be stated on the house title. Is this true in Wisconsin? Would we get our earnest money back since this wasn't enclosed when we originally made the offer and we had to find out on the internet? Thank you in advance for all of your help!
2007-01-02 13:03:12 · 5 answers · asked by Farmer Chic 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I only know a portion of this, but it should be enough. For a little background, I am a law enforcement hazardous materials technician. The amount of residual chemicals that will be in the soil (I wouldn't go along with the "just the trailer was used" bit) from the mixer chemicals, would in my estimation be prohibitive to any type of proper family atmosphere. Most of the larger meth production sites qualify as HazMat clean-up sites. As a health risk, on a scale of 1-10, you are looking at a 10. Please reconsider.
2007-01-02 13:42:09 · answer #1 · answered by fpsnexus 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to contact a Real-estate Attorney. That information should not cost you a lot. If anything maybe you can force them to clean it up and have the ground tested. Don't you have a 30 or 45 day escrow? You have not taken possession of the property in two weeks.
Go to the library. Maybe they have a book on file that would answer your concerns on a legal level. Call city hall and find out if there is a department that will assist you with this. Or at least lead you in the right direction.
2007-01-02 21:16:46 · answer #2 · answered by skooter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say don't even consider this property. Two years ago my agency raided a residence which housed a meth lab. After the conviction, confiscation and the Sheriff's Sale the house was sold to a housing broker. He in turn sold the residence to an unsuspecting person. After living in the house for about three weeks they began to break out in a rash and their youngest daughter started to have a breathing problem.
It was determined by the doctors they were breathing in some unknown substance. After researching the property it was then they found out about the meth lab. To clean out the house it had to be completely gutted. All wall board, carpet and insulation as well as duct work had to be replaced. Total cost $$48,000. They originally paid $60,000 for a $90,000 piece of property.
Just to let you know once the family moved out all of the symptoms went away and now after completing the replacement of the interior they sued the seller for failure to disclose. The suit is still pending. So save yourself the headache run away from this deal.
2007-01-02 22:34:37 · answer #3 · answered by JAMES H 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I read an article about this a while ago. A couple bought a house, starting having severe medical problems and then found out that it had been a meth house. There was a law suit about whether the Realtor was aware of this problem.
I think it would be worth paying a lawyer to check out your options as the laws vary so much from state to state.
Good luck.
2007-01-02 21:09:10 · answer #4 · answered by carole 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend that you require to provide an "Environmental Site Assessment" from a registered hazmat company. If there is evidence of any contamination - require that it be cleaned up and the property certified as 'clean' prior to move-in.
It is the current owner's responsibility to clean up the property prior to sale.
2007-01-03 11:25:35 · answer #5 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋