You have to prove the shut-off valve was broken before closing, the owner/agent KNEW it, and they did not tell you.
Here is your argument:
1. The shut-off valve frozen is quite common. It won't happen overnight, it is safe to assume it started leaking when the tenant moved out 20 days ago.
2. The owner/agent have had the house for 20+ days, and they should have noticed the leaking. Especially there is tape around the valve, indicting they knew the leaking.
3. They didn't tell you and just simply turned off the main valve, causing the damage.
Their argument:
1. the seller and the agent never lived in the house.
2. they did not know the leak at all. Just like the buyer did not see in their final walk-through, they did not see it when they received the house from the tenant.
3. They turned off the main valve because this is just good practice, not because they know there is a leak (which is true, always turn off the main valve if there is nobody live in the house).
What you think the Judge will believe?
Here is your argument:
1. The shut-off valve frozen is quite common. It won't happen overnight, it is safe to assume it started leaking when the tenant moved out 20 days ago.
2. The owner/agent have had the house for 20+ days, and they should have noticed the leaking. Especially there is tape around the valve, indicting they knew the leaking.
3. They didn't tell you and just simply turned off the main valve, causing the damage.
Their argument:
1. the seller and the agent never lived in the house.
2. they did not know the leak at all. Just like the buyer did not see in their final walk-through, they did not see it when they received the house from the tenant.
3. They turned off the main valve because this is just good practice, not because they know there is a leak (which is true, always turn off the main valve if there is nobody live in the house).
What you think the Judge will believe?
