Emergency cottages sold to Louisiana-based Henderson Auctions are not fit for human habitation, says the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, which transferred title on 232 units to the auction house.
The titles are all stamped as "salvage," according to Claims Journal.com, because hurricanes Gustav and Ike damaged the cottages and they could contain hazardous mold and mildew.
MEMA Director Mike Womack wants to caution potential buyers that these units are not safe to live in. "Buyers need to beware," Womack said of the Gustav damaged units. "These units are not safe for housing because of water damage and mold, which can be dangerous to a person's health. The damage might not be readily visible to onlookers or potential buyers."
The cottages no longer have U.S. Housing and Urban Development labels or RV Association inspection labels because of the damage.
"The state would prefer that these units were only sold as scrap," Womack said. "We don't want the public to buy these units without knowing about the hazards and adverse health impacts they might experience if they try to repair and live in them."
Henderson Auctions could not sell the units in Mississippi because of insurance issues, but has scheduled a Louisiana auction for April.
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