Sec. 232.038. SUIT BY PRIVATE PERSON IN ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREA. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person who has purchased or is purchasing a lot after July 1, 1995, in a subdivision for residential purposes that does not have water and sewer services as required by this subchapter and is located in an economically distressed area, as defined by Section 17.921, Water Code, from a subdivider, may bring suit in the district court in which the property is located or in a district court in Travis County to:
(1) declare the sale of the property void, require the subdivider to return the purchase price of the property, and recover from the subdivider:
(A) the market value of any permanent improvements the person placed on the property;
(B) actual expenses incurred as a direct result of the failure to provide adequate water and sewer facilities;
(C) court costs; and
(D) reasonable attorney's fees; or
(2) enjoin a violation or threatened violation of Section 232.032, require the subdivider to plat or replat under Section 232.040, and recover from the subdivider:
(A) actual expenses incurred as a direct result of the failure to provide adequate water and sewer facilities;
(B) court costs; and
(C) reasonable attorney's fees.
(b) If the lot is located in a county defined under Section 232.022(a)(2), a person may only bring suit under Subsection (a) if the person purchased or is purchasing the lot after September 1, 2005.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 979, Sec. 4, eff. June 16, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 404, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 708 (S.B. 425), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1380 (S.B. 781), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 7 - Regulation of Land Use, Structures, Businesses, and Related Activities
Subtitle B - County Regulatory Authority
Chapter 232 - County Regulation of Subdivisions
Subchapter B. Subdivision Platting Requirements in County Near International Border
Section 232.022. Applicability
Section 232.023. Plat Required
Section 232.024. Approval by County Required
Section 232.025. Subdivision Requirements
Section 232.026. Water and Sewer Service Extension
Section 232.027. Bond Requirements
Section 232.028. Certification Regarding Compliance With Plat Requirements
Section 232.029. Connection of Utilities in Counties Within 50 Miles of International Border
Section 232.030. Subdivision Regulation; County Authority
Section 232.0305. County Inspector
Section 232.031. Requirements Prior to Sale or Lease
Section 232.0315. Notice of Water and Wastewater Requirements by Counties
Section 232.032. Services Provided by Subdivider
Section 232.033. Advertising Standards and Other Requirements Before Sale; Offense
Section 232.034. Conflict of Interest; Penalty
Section 232.035. Civil Penalties
Section 232.036. Criminal Penalties
Section 232.038. Suit by Private Person in Economically Distressed Area
Section 232.039. Cancellation of Subdivision
Section 232.041. Revision of Plat
Section 232.042. Variances From Replatting Requirements
Section 232.043. Variances From Platting Requirements