“In Washington state, you’ve got more consumer-protection rights when you buy a $25 toaster than you do when buying a $500,000 home, says a former high-stakes trial lawyer who now heads the Senate consumer protection committee.
Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, wants to change that, but his “Homeowner Bill of Rights” proposals are facing tough opposition from builders as well as fellow Democrats.”
The paragraphs above appear in the Seattle P-I on February 5 and is regarding SB 5550, now in committee.
The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) has vowed to kill the bill. “These bills are at the top of our agenda right now — we want them dead,” said Erin Shannon, spokeswoman for the BIAW.
If enacted, the bill would require that:
- For two years, the home is free from defects in materials and workmanship.
- For three years, the home is free from defects in electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilating systems.
- For five years, the home is free from defects resulting from water penetration.
- For 10 years, the home is free from structural defects.
One would think a trade group that was honest and ethical would support reform. Why honest builders continue to support the BIAW – an organization that has lost so much credibility over the last 2 years, is beyond me.
There are a lot of homeowners who have either experienced the kinds of shoddy workmanship SB 5550 is targetting, or know of someone who has. What do you think about regulation of this kind? Click here to read more about the bill and to contact your representatives regarding your support or opposition. While you’re about it, click here to contact Tom McCabe, Executive Vice President of the BIAW regarding his organization’s position on the bill.
UPDATE:
Representative Williams, D-Olympia in the 22nd Legislative District, prime sponsor of House Bill 1935: The Homeowners’ Bill of Rights, wrote an editorial that appeared in the Olympian. Click here to read that piece, which was published February 11.
A companion to the Williams editorial was this piece, written by Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester in the 20th Legislative District.
MARK MESSINGER