(1) A
declarant and any dealer warrants that a unit will be in at least
as good condition at the earlier of the time of the conveyance or
delivery of possession as it was at the time of contracting,
reasonable wear and tear and damage by casualty or condemnation
excepted.
(2) A declarant and any dealer impliedly warrants that a
unit and the common elements in the condominium are suitable for
the ordinary uses of real estate of its type and that any
improvements made or contracted for by such declarant or dealer
will be:
(a) Free from defective materials;
(b) Constructed in accordance with sound engineering and
construction standards;
(c) Constructed in a workmanlike manner; and
(d) Constructed in compliance with all laws then applicable
to such improvements.
(3) A declarant and any dealer warrants to a purchaser of a
unit that may be used for residential use that an existing use,
continuation of which is contemplated by the parties, does not
violate applicable law at the earlier of the time of conveyance
or delivery of possession.
(4) Warranties imposed by this section may be excluded or
modified as specified in RCW 64.34.450.
(5) For purposes of this section, improvements made or
contracted for by an affiliate of a declarant, as defined in RCW 64.34.020(1), are made or contracted for by the declarant.
(6) Any conveyance of a unit transfers to the purchaser all
of the declarant's implied warranties of quality.
(7) In a judicial proceeding for breach of any of the
obligations arising under this section, the plaintiff must show
that the alleged breach has adversely affected or will adversely
affect the performance of that portion of the unit or common
elements alleged to be in breach. As used in this subsection, an
"adverse effect" must be more than technical and must be
significant to a reasonable person. To establish an adverse
effect, the person alleging the breach is not required to prove
that the breach renders the unit or common element uninhabitable
or unfit for its intended purpose.
(8) Proof of breach of any obligation arising under this
section is not proof of damages. Damages awarded for a breach of
an obligation arising under this section are the cost of repairs.
However, if it is established that the cost of such repairs is
clearly disproportionate to the loss in market value caused by
the breach, then damages shall be limited to the loss in market
value.
[2004 c 201 § 5; 1992 c 220 § 26; 1989 c 43 § 4-112.]
NOTES:
Application -- 2004 c 201 §§ 5 and 6: "Sections 5 and 6 of this act apply only to condominiums created by declarations recorded on or after July 1, 2004." [2004 c 201 § 12.]