Class Action Filed Against National Home Builder, Ryland Homes, For Building Leaky Homes in Florida

Over 100 homeowners in Florida have filed an action against nation-wide home builder Ryland Homes for building homes which leak. The suit, filed in the Florida State Circuit Court in Orlando, Case No. 2005-CA-1930-O, alleges the homes were built with an exterior coating called "texturized cement finish" or "TCF" which was misrepresented to the buyers as a traditional stucco exterior. The suit alleges the TCF is an inferior product as compared to traditional stucco and TCF allows water to intrude into the homes, but does not allow for the water to drain out, thus causing mold and structural damage.

The leaks became widely publicized following the three hurricanes which hit Florida last summer. Many builders, including Ryland Homes, and home insurance carriers, have denied responsibility for the leaks. If the class is certified by the Court, the class will include homeowners throughout the State of Florida who own homes with the TCF exterior.

The homeowners are being represented by Frank Rapprich of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley and Dunlap, P.A. in Orlando. Of Counsel for the Plaintiffs are Gary Jackson, Charlotte, N.C. and W. Dixon Robertson III, Columbia, S.C. Ryland has not yet been served with the lawsuit, so no counsel of record has appeared on Ryland's behalf in the suit.