Who is liable for a rotten floor in a chalet?

Questioner

We bought a holiday chalet a year ago that according to the previous owners was from 2019 and would be in perfect condition. However, we had doubts about the bathroom floor and also about the adjacent bedroom. Now we had a chalet specialist look at it and the bathroom and part of the bedroom floor are rotten. The previous owners have put an extra in the bathroom over the rotten floor to cover it up. It will now cost us 6,000 euros. Can we hold them liable?

Lawyer

Good morning, In principle, the seller could be held liable for the damage. However, it must be demonstrated that the seller deliberately tried to conceal the damage. In addition, you indicate that the purchase took place a year ago. For example, have you had a building inspection carried out? The buyer has a duty to investigate, but the seller also has a duty to report. All circumstances play a role in assessing whether the seller can be held liable. In addition, it is important to assess what is included in the purchase agreement, but also what else has been agreed upon. Feel free to contact us without obligation to discuss your case further. Kind regards, Silvienne Leito FerLei Legal 06-49175526

Questioner

Thank you for your response, Now that the contractor is working on it, we have proof that it was covered up. But stupidly enough, we did not have the chalet inspected and we did not sign a purchase contract. Extensive contact was kept stating that the chalet would be in perfect condition. So I'm afraid we have no rights. Yours sincerely, Sandra Harris