I have a leaky pipe above my toilet. The superintendent just tells me it's condensation, it's not! Help!!!!!

Question

My ceiling in the bathroom started leaking a week ago. The superintendent came in and cut a hole in the ceiling. He called the plumber and they repaired the man's toilet above me, it had a small leak. Now, a week later, the pipe is still dripping into a container. I told the superintendent and he just looked at it for a minute and told me it was condensation--this was two days later, the condensation on the pipe had dried. I called the rental agengy and they are on the superintendent's side--both are shady. (The super had a girlfriend who is still missing, some people wonder if he had anything to do with it. He also let an elderly man go without heat for two weeks after October 15th which is against the law. There are more stories--tell you later.) The water which is dripping onto the back of my toilet is blue, which means it's probably old toilet water. I don't know what to do? Do you? I'm a little scared because this man could be a murderer--he has keys to my apartment!

Answer 1

Find out the laws in your state concerning landlord/tenants. I am sure that this is illegal. If they continue avoiding to repair the problem - you may be able to get out of your lease so that you can get away from that superintendent.

You might have to get a lawyer.

Also - go ask this question in the legal matters section of yahoo answers. Sometimes you will get an answer from a real lawyer.

Good luck!!!!!! (also tell people you know of your fears concerning this superintendent - so that others know)

Answer 2

I know you're nervous, but I can't imagine someone killing someone else over a leaky pipe. Get someone to come out and give you an estimate. Don't have them repair the pipe, but DO have them write down what the 'diagnosis' is. Then call Mr. Rental guy and tell him what you found out, and ask when it will be properly repaired.

Answer 3

WOW. I really feel for you! In my state, if you give your landlord/ super written notices for repair ( I think you have to give at least three attempts) you can then hire your own repair contractor and have the bill sent to your super. But you have to tell them your going to do that first, and you must have proof you sent the letters. Mail the letters by certified mail with return receipt.

Check around and try to determine if your state has a similar law.

Try these web sites:

http://www.lawhelp.org - legal information on apartments for each state. Legal advice on other topics.

tenant.net - info for tenants

Answer 4

Some land lords can be very intimidating. They want you to feel as though you are bothering them so they don't have to deal with your problem. I totally agree with answer one from Lisa. You do have rights as a renter and if that much is leaking at that rate, it will need to be fixed. It's not condensation.

Answer 5

Depends on the pipe and where it is leaking as that has a great effect on the how-to of things......if you were a real plumber anyways, you would have done it right the first time.

Answer 6

go ask your upstairs neighbor if they put that blue junk in their toilet water. the blue color could also be a result of having copper dissolved in the water but having enough to be noticable would be a bit strange.