When Joe Strocchia moved his multi-section manufactured home (MH) from the dealer in Indiana to a homesite in Dandridge, Tennessee in April, 2011, he had no idea a knock at the door would bring a host of complex problems that a court will now try to sort out, as wate-tv tells MHProNews.
The knock was a state inspector making a random check of the MH. His report cited over three dozen problems dealing with the set up and installation of the home. They included the site was not sloped away from the foundation, water was collecting under the home leading to mold and mildew, inadequate ventilation, center piers and pier footings improperly placed, and supports not installed as required by the manufacturer.
Strocchia said he paid over $17.000 for the set-up and installation. A follow-up by the state inspector the next month revealed very little had changed. He has since filed suit against the company in Indiana that sold him the home, the excavator and MH set-up company, as well as the realtor. All of them deny responsibility, and between them have hired five attorneys to represent them.
Strocchia, who paid $52,000 for the home initially, has been told it would cost $60,000 to make the home liveable. Offers to settle have only totaled $12,500. Saying he cannot afford to buy another home, he has since returned to Illinois while he waits for his July, 2015 day in court. ##
(Photo credit: wate-tv–mold on manufactured house as center of issue)
