BELLEVILLE — A Belleville home buyer is suing the sellers for allegedly concealing the severity and extent of the property's foundational and flooding issues.
Christopher Taylor filed a complaint Feb. 16 in the St. Clair County against Brian Dixon and Crystal Dixon, alleging fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment.
According to the complaint, Taylor entered into a contract on April 17, 2019, with the defendants to purchase property located on South 11th Street in Belleville, which included a residential real property disclosure report executed on Sept. 14, 2018. Taylor claims the defendants disclosed issues with "flooding or recurring leakage problems" in the crawl space and basement along with basement foundation issues. However, they allegedly concealed the extent of the damage on the property by installing "false walls and wood paneling" in the basement.
Taylor alleges that when he took possession of the property in May 2019, he discovered foundational movement, insufficient drainage, pooling of water with evidence of "long-term" moisture presence and damage to piping and support beams.
Taylor seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. He is represented by Jeanna RAney of Blake Behme Links Raney PC in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 21-L-0152