For More Information Contact:
John R. Cobarruvias
Texas President of Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings (HADD)
281-486-5203 H
281-483-1289
john.cobarruvias@hadd.com

NEW HOMEBUYER CONSUMER GROUP RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT BUILDER
BILL

HOUSTON, TX 02/07/03. Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings
(HADD), a national non-profit consumer advocacy organization
has raised concerns about Senate Bill 383 filed today in the
Texas Senate which establishes a Texas Builders Commission
to resolve new home construction defects.

"It is encouraging to see the new home building industry has
acknowledged the laws in Texas do not provide adequate
consumer protection for the biggest investment of our lives.
But for the builders to say this bill will be "good for the
consumers" must be taken with a grain of salt the size of a
water heater."  Says HADD Texas President John Cobarruvias.

The bill relies on protection already provided by new home
warranties in use in Texas, as well as an alternative
dispute resolution system, specifically binding arbitration.
Unfortunately a recent study released by HADD on new home
warranties in Texas "New Home Warranties. Deception or
Protection?" concludes the warranties are extremely limited
and provide little if any protection for the consumer.
According to the study "The biggest investment of your life,
your new home, comes with the least amount of consumer
protection". (see www.hadd.com/warranty.pdf)

In another soon to be released study by HADD based upon
testimony in two Interim House Studies on arbitration,
"...arbitration is a private, profit motivated justice system
forced upon new homebuyers, and is abusive, extremely
costly, grossly unfair and provides no negligible benefit to
the homebuyer."

"The vast majority of homeowners with a construction defect
wants only one thing: their homes repaired so they can
continue to enjoy their life in the community. This bill
based upon the extremely limited warranties and a flawed
arbitration system does not provide this needed help."

"Consumer groups in Texas did not participate in the
drafting of this bill. Only when consumers say it is "good
for the consumer" will SB383 be good for the consumer." 
Says Cobarruvias.


About Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings: HADD, a
national non-profit organization incorporated in the State
of Kansas, is comprised of individuals from across the
country that shares a common bond of owning a defective
home. There are over thirty HADD Representatives in 25
states advocating for quality construction, accountability,
and ensuring fair laws are in place for consumers across the
country.

John R. Cobarruvias
Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings
www.hadd.com
14646 Cardinal Creek CT
Houston, TX 77062
281-486-5203