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Chinese drywall concerns kept residents busy over the summer

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By SHERRI LONON

THE SUN

Published: November 4, 2009

While seasonal residents were away, a group of people from Sun City Center and Kings Point came together to form the Greater Sun City Center Chinese Drywall Coordinating Group. The new task force has spent its time collecting information for homeowners, lobbying on their behalf and even helping affected properties gain a tax break.

Over the spring and summer, the group helped facilitate inspections of hundreds of homes in both communities. An estimated 75 have been impacted, said Woody Nelson, co-chair of the group.

At issue is drywall imported from China that has been found to emit a corrosive gas. It is blamed for damaging appliances, corroding copper wiring and air-conditioning coils and might cause some health complaints. The extent, severity and implications of the problem remain under investigation by both state and federal agencies. Remediation costs for fully replacing a home's drywall, as well as tackling other forms of damage, are estimated to run as much as $100,000 for a 2,000-sqauare-foot home, said Nelson.

Builders in the United States used imported drywall heavily in the years between 2003 and 2007, especially after Hurricane Katrina. The Florida Department of Health has received hundreds of complaints from homeowners. It is believed the drywall was used in as many as 100,000 homes nationwide, some in Hillsborough County.

The group is currently working to gain legislation on the state and federal levels to help homeowners with their financial losses and other issues like homeowners' insurance. While this work continues, the group did have a hand in a successful bid to get affected homeowners a property tax break. The Hillsborough County Property Appraisers Office agreed this summer to give homeowners with proven Chinese drywall problems a reduction of up to 50 percent on their taxable valuations. It has also agreed to let its own inspectors evaluate homes rather than ask owners to hire environmental firms to confirm or deny the presence of Chinese drywall. This could represent a savings of as much as $3,000 for homeowners.

Although the Sun City Center area group was initially pleased with the county's decision, some say it doesn't go far enough to truly help homeowners facing Chinese drywall problems.

"Our properties are close to worthless," Nelson said earlier this year. "It's really kind of hard to accept a 30 to 50 percent discount when basically you know your house is worthless."

Residents in the Sun City Center area want valuations dropped as low as possible. Nelson said he understands the land value remains, but said the 50 percent doesn't begin to cover the real loss.

"Land has not been affected," Nelson said. "We're asking for the building on that land, which is actually worthless right now, to go as close to zero as it can."

Tim Wilmath, the county's director of valuation, said he understood residents' concerns. Despite this, it is unlikely further devaluation would be granted.

"We try to keep an open mind about everything," Wilmath said. But, "the information we have that led us to those adjustments is very compelling."

The current property tax break for homes affected by Chinese drywall is effective for the 2009 tax year and will move forward until a home has completed remediation, Wilmath said.

"There's no requirement they fix it this year," he said. "Some folks just don't have the money."

Property owners who have evident Chinese drywall damage can contact Jack Flenniken, director of residential valuation, for more information at (813) 272-6100. Homeowners who have had inspections done can also call to request that their homes be considered for devaluation.

Residents who wish to learn more about the impacts of Chinese drywall can visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site at cpsc.gov/info/drywall/index.html.

Sherri Lonon can be reached at slonon@mediageneral.com or at (813) 731-1976.

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