State Was No Help

I would like to dispute some of the statements in Ellen James’ article, “When a House Has a Major Defect” (Aug. 13).

I purchased a condo in 1985 and learned four months later that there was a lawsuit against the developer for serious construction defects (my building was sinking), and the former management company stole all the reserves. These problems were not disclosed to me by the real estate agent.

I went to the California Department of Real Estate in 1988 and filed a complaint. The administrative judge’s decision was that “there was not overwhelming evidence” that she did not disclose the facts to me. I would have been better off if I had not gone to them for “help.”

RITA M. MORTENSEN

San Diego