When buying a property that has been used for commercial or agricultural purposes, there are often contaminated soils, water and structures. Homes may also be contaminated, most often with molds from water infiltration. These conditions may cause potential buyers to walk away from a transaction because of the uncertainties of the exposure to unknown costs and liability risks. Sellers and buyers in these circumstances must consider remediation of contamination to render properties salable and habitable. MacElree Harvey attorneys provide review of potential risks, remedies and costs associated with contaminated properties to landowners, buyers and sellers.
In a commercial transaction, a Phase One environmental review is required if there is any financial institution involved. MacElree Harvey attorneys are experienced in reviewing these reports and in understanding their limitations, as well as in aiding potential buyers assess remediation alternatives. A bewildering array of scientific professionals offer services that may, or may not, be needed to address environmental concerns. Remediation may be elegantly simple, or may require extensive work to solve the problem. There are also liability risks and limitations to reducing those risks in remediation. MacElree Harvey attorneys are experienced and adept in aiding landowners, buyers and sellers assess their options, prepare, review and monitor remediation contracts, permitting and work when environmental problems arise.
