Keeping the Sweet in Home Sweet Home, Part II

So, you are one of those fortunate enough to select a newly built house, condominium or co-op to call your home. My previous post delved into the New Home Warranty & Builders’ Registration Act and its relevance to someone in your position. Of course, there is plenty more to learn about at this exciting juncture in your life. If you are planning on settling in the state of New Jersey, here are some more pointers that will help ensure you keep the “sweet” in “home sweet home."

Check if the builder of your home is registered.

Did you know you can do this? Now you do. How do you do this? Call the Department of Community Affairs in Trenton. A registration certificate is issued to qualified builder of a new construction. The certificate indicates that the builder is registered with the state to issue new home warranties.

Start a Homeowner Warranty Claim.

Where do you go to do a homeowner warranty claim? The New Home Warranty Division of the state of New Jersey has forms for initiating this claim. You can usually find the forms in the paperwork that the builder gives you at settlement.

Get an arbitrator.

Wondering what a Homeowner Warranty Claim will do for you? An arbitrator will visit, investigate and will arbitrate any dispute with the builder present, if he or she chooses to be there. If the arbitrator renders a decision in your favor, the builder is given the option of either fixing the problem within a certain window of time or giving you the cost of repairing it.

What we describe above could be called “happily ever after.” There are instances where the builder does not fix problems despite being obligated under the warranty. Fear not! A New Home Warranty Security Fund does exist under the New Home Warranty & Builders’ Registration Act to financially assist with these issues.

Do the troubles facing a new homeowner end here? Is it difficult to keep the “sweet” in “home sweet home”? If you are at this point in the process, contact the Law Office of H. Benjamin Sharlin LLC for an initial free consultation. The Law Office of H. Benjamin Sharlin LLC is owned and operated by H. Benjamin Sharlin and serves all of Mercer County, New Jersey and the surrounding areas. Mr. Sharlin is a bilingual Spanish-speaking attorney who vigorously represents the interests of all his clients.

Please be advised that this blog is for informational purposes only, is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.