Wow.... It takes a special kind of person to willfully pass along something like that. While I understand exactly what you're saying, regarding burden of proof and how difficult it would be, I would also say that the area directly below the cover, matches so well the state of the pool, that I'd be hard pressed to believe the entire decking wasn't in that level of disarray (unused for a VERY lengthy time. not just one winter season) and was simply sub'd out to be pressure washed for the sake of a 'beauty' sale.
Still, You've handled this with class from my perspective. Hope these guys continue to do right, by you, and you have YEARS of enjoyment to put the brief suffering well in the past.
Thanks! I agree with you. This was many years of never being touched. I met one set of neighbors a week or two ago (we still haven't moved in) and they mentioned being there 10 years, and had never once seen the pool cover off the pool. I choose to think of it as there was some sort of financial necessity on the sellers part that made them conceal this, rather than maliciously passing this along. Perhaps they needed the sale price and couldn't do with a ~$70-$80k reduction in order to pay medical bills or help out a family member. It's a little more palatable when I tell myself that story.
Anyways, plaster is going in today! The pool equipment (pumps, filter, etc..) is complete trash and all needs to be replaced, but for now the equipment is (barely) functional and we'll limp through the remainder of this season (probably 3-4 more weeks) until closing and see about new stuff next spring time.