I recently bought a condo in Southern California. (Less than two months ago) Pipes have burst in the wall flooding out a couple of neighbors but they do not adjoin my unit. In talking with some of the other neighbors, this is the third or fourth time this has happened within the same units over the last couple of years. A meeting to discuss a special assessment has been called and I am wondering if this information should have been disclosed to me when I bought my unit. From what I have been able to gather the complex was built in 1989 and the code changed in 1992. None of this information regarding the code change nor the previous pipe breakages had been disclosed during the Escrow period. And if so what is my legal recourse?

Thanks for any advice

Code changes after build date are not something you can hold anyone accountable for. However, witholding information regarding a known defect is an issue. Did you but through a real estate agent?

My understanding of cases involving failure to disclose is that you have a weak argument unless you specifically ask in writing for history of damage and special assessments possibly pending. You can file suit of course. Who exactly would you be suing? Previous owners can say all sorts of things about why they didn't know or why they didn't mention it.