Shop

Ryan Homes, a subsidiary of NVR, is a home builder operating in 14 states with an annual profit of nearly a billion dollars. The stories investigate how the home builder treats customers when dealing with building issues in their new home, from water damage, uneven floors and wiring problems. In most cases, Ryan requires non-mandatory arbitation and non-disclosure agreements and owners say there’s a pattern of intimidation. In a case in Cincinnati, a young family had problems beginning with the initial signing of their contract. Their $350,000 home that was built in just 11 weeks, has problems so extensive a home inspector has told them their new home is not safe to inhabit. They never signed a non-disclosure and their case is now in federal court. Facebook groups, Ryan Homes Sucks! and Ryan Homes Building Problems list horror stories from hundreds of people over several years. Our story caught the eye of Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. He, along with senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Ben Cardin of Maryland and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland partnered to send a letter to Ryan Homes and its parent company, NVR, Inc., asking the company to remove the arbitration provisions from their agreements. Brown called the policy “corporate blackmail.” Shortly after our story, Sen. Brown held a town hall in Cincinnati inviting residents to talk about their problems with Ryan Homes. NVR, Inc., called Brown’s accusations “anti-consumer”. Brown continues to bring the issue of forced arbitration to the senate floor.