Commission Levies Penalties as High as $35,000
Several Texas Builders Affected |
(AUSTIN) - Today the Texas Residential Construction Commission announced penalties reaching $35,000. Several builders were affected, including one in Brownsville and two in Houston.
The $35,000 fine-the largest single penalty ever imposed by the commission-was levied against Servando Solis of Brownsville. Mr. Solis, doing business as Divine Homes, was sanctioned for failure to register homes. Your Custom Builder of Houston was fined $2,000 for failing to pay the fee related to a state inspection request. Chase Custom Homes, also of Houston, was fined $5,770 for failing to pay the fee associated with a state inspection request and for failing to register homes.
The particular circumstances surrounding Mr. Solis' case led to the stiff fine. The commission levies penalties to help deter future violations. Efforts to correct the violations and the cooperativeness and responsiveness of the builder or remodeler are also considered when determining the size of the fine. In Mr. Solis' case, Mr. Solis committed ten violations and inadvertently provided the commission with direct evidence of his deceit regarding them.
"In all these cases, the builders violated the law and, as a result, have been fined. Mr. Solis' case was particularly egregious," said Commission Executive Director Duane Waddill. "Mr. Solis was purposely untruthful and deceitful in his dealings with the commission. The commission not only expects a builder or remodeler to be trustworthy, honest and to act with integrity, but the law requires it.
"When a builder or remodeler fails to meet their obligations, the amount of the fine levied is measured against their actions. A builder or remodeler should be aware that information in their commission record that puts them in a negative light may cause potential customers to look in a different direction when they seek to hire a builder or remodeler."
Texans can research potential builders or remodelers by going to the commission's Web site, http://www.texasrcc.com. There, consumers can discover whether a builder or remodeler is registered and authorized to operate in Texas, how many projects they have registered with the commission, or the status of a builders' or remodelers' registration. All administrative actions levied against a builder or remodeler, as well as the number of their homes that have been subject to a state inspection request for alleged defects, are part of the online record.
For other information about the commission or its operations, Texans can call the agency toll-free help line at 877-651-TRCC (8722).
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