I'm looking for some advice about a house in Doyle, CA that my mom bought back in 2004. She has been living in a bedroom that doesn't have a window, which we only recently discovered has poor ventilation. This has left her struggling with health issues for years, and I'm starting to think it might be related to the lack of a window. Is it even legal to sell a place without a window in the bedroom? Any insights or information would really help!
3 Answers
The seller isn't responsible for your mom's sleeping arrangements after the sale. Most of the risk falls on the buyer to investigate properties before purchasing. If your mom has been living in a room that technically shouldn’t be classified as a bedroom because of the window issue, consulting with a realtor or a lawyer might help clarify her options. It sounds like she might also be dealing with 'sick house syndrome,' where poor air quality contributes to health problems.
You definitely need to check local building codes. In many places, a bedroom has to have at least two exits – one of which has to be a window big enough to escape through in case of emergency. If your mom's room was counted as a bedroom when she bought it, it could have been 'grandfathered' in under older codes. But that doesn't mean it's safe to live in without proper ventilation. I'd suggest having the air quality tested to rule out any mold or allergens.
Generally, it's legal to sell a house under most conditions, even if it doesn't meet all current codes. If there's no window in the bedroom, that room might not legally be considered a bedroom. It's typically required that bedrooms have some form of egress, like a window or door that provides direct access to the outside. Your mom's health issues could be linked to other factors like mold or poor indoor air quality, so it might be worth looking into air testing for those kinds of issues.