City: Home Not Safe, Forces Family Out
New Homeowners Complain About Shoddy Construction
POSTED: 12:56 p.m. CDT October 11, 2002
UPDATED: 12:59 p.m. CDT October 11, 2002
SAGINAW, Texas -- Cities often condemn old, abandoned houses, but now the City of Saginaw is forcing a family out of a brand new home, saying it's just not safe.
New homeowners up and down a Saginaw street are complaining about shoddy construction. And now, the city said one house is so dangerous, it's ordering the family now living there to move out.
Saginaw is one of the fastest growing cities in North Texas. New houses are going up all the time, and many of them are built by Coleman Homes. Some buyers are not satisfied, however, and complain about everything from squeaks, to front doors that don't fit right, and shaky floors.
"Everywhere you walk you get squeaky boards," resident Jaime Castellanos said.
"I'm not doing calisthenics in my bedroom, I'm simply walking past and look at the activity," one resident said as liquid in a glass on a dresser moved back and forth.
City inspectors said the house on the corner, which belongs to the Moreno family, is downright unsafe.
"When his wife walked across the upstairs floor, you could see the ceiling moving up and down, the light fixtures and some things moving up and down. So it's a very obvious dangerous situation," neighbor Terry Highfill said.
Saginaw is using an abatement procedure, similar to condemnation, to order the house vacated.
The Morenos don't appear shy about publicizing their feelings, but declined to talk to NBC 5.
Coleman Homes provided NBC 5 with copies of letters to the family dating back to March, showing the homebuilder has tried time after time to make repairs, but the Morenos have refused to allow workers on their property.
As for the other complaints, Coleman's president issued a statement, saying, "Coleman Homes has worked hard to build its reputation as a quality, affordable homebuilder. As such, Coleman Homes stands behind its work."
Coleman Homes said it's still trying to talk to the Morenos and their attorney, without any luck. The city said the family must leave by next Tuesday, and stay out of the house until it's fixed.
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