HOT endorses Sunset staff recommendations

Sunset Staff Report (detail) & Sunset Staff Report (summary)

Homeowners of Texas, Inc. provided detailed comments to the Sunset Commission endorsing the staff recommendations, which include abolishing the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) and repealing the TRCCA (Texas Residential Construction Commission Act).

We also summarized the Public Comments received by the Sunset Commission, which were posted online for all to see.

Summary of our comments

• Abolish the TRCC and repeal the TRCCA as soon as possible but keep the RCLA. (Sunset Staff Report Appendix A compares the TRCCA and the Residential Construction Liability Act.)

HOT comments also include several suggestions for new policies designed to establish high professional standards for residential builders and the construction trades they hire. These policies include:

• License builders, remodelers and general contractors, framers, roofers, foundation companies and swimming pool contractors, and require testing and continuing education.

• • Licensees must show financial solvancy and maintain liability and workers compensation insurance covering all trades and work.

  • Make all licensing agency records, including consumer complaints, public.

• Use State-approved contracts that eliminate illusory home warranties that provide little homeowner protection.  Inspect homes at each stage of construction for safety and minimum standards of the International Residential Code.

• Institue a Lemon Law for homes. Any builder selling a home with a deficient foundation should be required to buy the house back and reimburse the owner all costs.

• Provide a dispute resolution process during the construction process and after.

• Stiffen penalties for misuse of construction trust funds.

• Require geotechnical soil analysis and engineering of home structural elements.

• Give consumers access to courts to recover damages resulting from construction defects.