Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jan 2009
Source: Thunder Bay Source (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009, Thunder Bay Source
Contact:  http://www.tbsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3129
Author: Jodi Lundmark
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

GROW-OP MOULD LEAVES HOMEOWNERS IN LIMBO

Couple Can't Find A Lawyer In Town Willing To Touch Case

Pascal Gauvreau and Charlene Tremblay bought a home for their family 
of seven in February 2007. Eight months later, they were forced to 
move out once they discovered a black mould infestation.

"A neighbour let us know it was used as a marijuana grow operation. 
So we had it mould tested and we shouldn't have been living in 
there," said Gauvreau.

Two years later, Gauvreau and Tremblay have hit a dead end; they 
can't find a lawyer totake their case.

"They all have conflicts of interest (with the reality companies); 
they represent them in other things," Gauvreau said. "No lawyer out 
of town wants to take it because you have to see your lawyer every 
day. They said it's a really good case but you have to see your 
lawyer too much to deal with them out of town."

The fact the house had been used as a grow-op was not in the 
disclosure the couple signed when they purchased the house, Gauvreau 
said. Even though a home inspection had been done, home inspectors 
are not liable for mould.

"We have letters from different sources that say both realty 
(companies) knew there was a drug bust in the house . and the old 
owner knew the whole story," Gauvreau said.

The young couple had to file for bankruptcy in August 2008 when the 
bank wanted all the money for the house. They couldn't afford to pay 
for the house and rent for where they're living now.

And when the bank locked the house, they also cleared it out, 
throwing out any belongings the couple hadn't yet taken out, 
including financial papers and family photographs. Gauvreau said 
there is now no record of their life before the bank closed the house.

Tough go

The effect on the family has been stressful, to say the least. 
They've had to move three times in two years and the kids have had to 
switch schools.

Tremblay said she hopes in the future realtors do their homework better.

"Our realtor didn't really look into it and because of her 
negligence, we are the ones that are left behind and trying to pick 
up the pieces and out how much money and years of our mortgage," she 
said. "We can't get a mortgage for how many years to come? They're 
sorry maybe that they made the mistake, but it's us that paid the price."

Tremblay and Gauvreau are both frustrated their fight has gone 
nowhere; it's been two years and they've had no help.

They don't know what their next step is and they hope someone will 
step forward and give them some direction.
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