GROW-OP MOULD LEAVES HOMEOWNERS IN LIMBO

Couple Can't Find A Lawyer In Town Willing To Touch Case

Pascal Gauvreau and Charlene Tremblay bought a home for their family
of seven in February 2007. Eight months later, they were forced to
move out once they discovered a black mould infestation.

"A neighbour let us know it was used as a marijuana grow operation.
So we had it mould tested and we shouldn't have been living in
there," said Gauvreau.

Two years later, Gauvreau and Tremblay have hit a dead end; they
can't find a lawyer totake their case.

"They all have conflicts of interest (with the reality companies);
they represent them in other things," Gauvreau said. "No lawyer out
of town wants to take it because you have to see your lawyer every
day. They said it's a really good case but you have to see your
lawyer too much to deal with them out of town."

The fact the house had been used as a grow-op was not in the
disclosure the couple signed when they purchased the house, Gauvreau
said. Even though a home inspection had been done, home inspectors
are not liable for mould.

"We have letters from different sources that say both realty
(companies) knew there was a drug bust in the house . and the old
owner knew the whole story," Gauvreau said.

The young couple had to file for bankruptcy in August 2008 when the
bank wanted all the money for the house. They couldn't afford to pay
for the house and rent for where they're living now.

And when the bank locked the house, they also cleared it out,
throwing out any belongings the couple hadn't yet taken out,
including financial papers and family photographs. Gauvreau said
there is now no record of their life before the bank closed the house.

Tough go

The effect on the family has been stressful, to say the least.
They've had to move three times in two years and the kids have had to
switch schools.

Tremblay said she hopes in the future realtors do their homework better.

"Our realtor didn't really look into it and because of her
negligence, we are the ones that are left behind and trying to pick
up the pieces and out how much money and years of our mortgage," she
said. "We can't get a mortgage for how many years to come? They're
sorry maybe that they made the mistake, but it's us that paid the price."

Tremblay and Gauvreau are both frustrated their fight has gone
nowhere; it's been two years and they've had no help.

They don't know what their next step is and they hope someone will
step forward and give them some direction.