Belleville home owner claims seller failed to disclose flooding problems

A woman who purchased a Belleville property claims its sellers never warned her of recurrent flooding problems, contrary to disclosure requirements mandatory by law.

Donna Brown filed a lawsuit May 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dormer Group.

In her complaint, Brown alleges she closed on a home at 2230 Calgary in Belleville on May 3, 2010. The seller was defendant, Dormer Group. In the paperwork provided before closing, Dormer Group alleged there were no faults with the house, according to the complaint.

However, Brown discovered major flooding and recurring leaking damages after she moved in, the suit states.

Brown alleges Dormer Group knew of the damages, but concealed it from her to entice her to buy the home, the complaint says.

"Defendant Dormer Group had a tenant in the subject property prior to selling the property to Plaintiff," the suit states. "That tenant had complained to Defendants of the flooding and recurring leakage problems."

Brown accuses Dormer Group of breach of contract, violating the Real Property Disclosure Act, negligent misrepresentation and fraud.

In her four-count complaint, Brown seeks a judgment of more than $200,000, plus attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Paul J. Evans of the Evans Law Firm in O'Fallon will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-221.