Evening star., 1954-10-29
veteruns and
Druffees
BY Moi. Thomas M. MIDI

loan program has been gaining
momentum ct . tremendous
rate. During the tirst hall 81
1854. for example. the Veterans
Administration received nearly
100000 home loan applications
compared with about 10000 for
the same period In 1858. An
even greater increase has shown
up since July.
Along with this increase. comes
q need for sound advice for
many more veterans. One facet
Of the whole picture is: What
can the average veteran do when,
and II. he feels that his new
home has faults in construction
which shouldn't exist?
The Veterans Administration
has q ready answer. First, the
VA tells you vets In such q posi-
tion to make sure you have q
legitimate complaint. The gen.
eral rule for faulty construction
is that the builder must have
left something out. substituted
something inferior or performed
the work improperly. The faults
generally must substantially
change the value or durability
of the building.
Refer to Builder.
Once you're satisfied this rule
applies. the VA advises you to
go to your builder and point
out the faults. The VA says
that such action generally has
a salutaIy effect and the builder
does the necessary repair. This,
the VA says. is particularly true
now because most Of the fly-by-
night builders have already fall
len by the wayside. Most of
today's builders are qualified and
responsible.
II the builder refuses to CO.
operate at your request, the VA
advises you to send q letter to
your nearest VA loan guaranty
Office explaining your problem.
Be sure and send q carbon COPY
10 yollr builder
Then, the VA win write to
your builder giving him a run
down Of your complaint and ask
Ing him for his comments. It
viii also ask him IL he intends
to take any action.
If the builder tells the VA that
he'll do the repair work you re-
quest, all the VA will do is ask
him to inform the VA when he
1as finished. II the builder still
1oes nothing, the VA will send
out a man to Investigate the
dispute.
VA Has Powers.
You might Just as well know
hat the VA isn't going to fol-
ow through on your case If the
Investigation shows your COM
,laint doesn't come under the
rule covering faulty con-
'truction. But If the investiga-
ion shows you've got q reason
lble complaint, it'll 60 down the
Inc for you.
With legitimate complaint in
land, it will tell the builder II
ae doesn't correct the faults.
+ win do no more business with
lin. It will refuse to make It
possible for him to get CT home
loan approval on any future
construction. Generally, this
brings the builder into line and
'ou and the VA will have q So
ution to your problem.
One thing the VA will insist
N Is that you make your COM
,laint within a reasonable time.
There is no actual limit on the
line YOU have to make q COM
,laint because it'll all depend on
he type Of construction which
'hows UP faulty.
The VA also advises all vets to
check the plans and specifica-
ions Of their home which are on
lie at the VA regional office In
1our area to see exactly how
'our house is supposed to be
constructed. You can do this
either as the house is going up
# after you've bought the house
md are already moved In. IA
my case, it's the closest thing
o actually being on the spot as
'our builder puts up the house.
fYou may Drite Maj. Mai
IN care OF The Star about
your serDice-connected PROB
lem. Please inclose a stamped,
selt-addressed enuelope ana 20
cents In coin.)
(From fN Newsfestures