A pipe is frozen in one of the apartments. There is no cold water, which means no toilet flushing and obviously, no cold water to drink. We haven't been able to shower (only extemely hot water comes out) They are saying that they don't want to have to dig to find out where the problem is, since they will have to tear down the walls. They are saying that we have to wait until the weather heats up, which isn't anytime soon according to the forecast, but they offered us today, after one week, to make us move permanently to another apartment so that they don't have to fix the frozen pipe, if that is indeed the problem. Can they do this? If not, what legal action can be taken to ensure they fix the problem. I failed to mention, we are the only ones in this end of the building, so we are the only ones affected.
2007-02-09 09:31:18 · 14 answers · asked by billf1125 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Contact your local building inspector, housing authority or health department. The landlord has a duty to ensure that your apartment is habitable. This is known as the implied warranty of habitability.
If they do not fix the pipes within a reasonable time, you have 2 options. You can either call someone and have them come in and inspect and repair the problem and then reduce the amount of rent by the amount of the repair.
Or you can leave and not pay rent anymore. This is known as constructive eviction.
In any case, the landlord is REQUIRED by law to provide you with the basics and to ensure that your place in habitable.
2007-02-09 10:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by Peter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go under the trailer and make sure the pipes did not burst when they froze. If they have call the city or the county and they will come turn off water at the meter and give you the name of someone who will fix it now. If the pipes froze but did not burst and you want to save money turn on a cold water in the sink or tub just a very little bit and go under the trailer with your hair dryer and slowly heat the pipes till they thaw. Be careful not to start a fire by getting something too hot and if the pipes are plastic make sure you don't hold heat too long in one place and melt the pipe. Plastic is common under a trailer as it will swell up and not burst as often as other kinds of pipe. As soon as water starts dripping in the house (sink or tub) then stop and leave faucet on with a very slow drip whenever it gets this cold again. When warm enough outside make sure the pipes under the trailer and the skirt (the wall around the bottom of the trailer) both get insulated. Good luck and I hope this helps. Once the water starts to drip, it will thaw on it's own if you just leave it dripping for a while. See the answer from Josie 826 as that is very good advice.
2016-05-24 02:42:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is illegal. You should contact your local housing authority in the first instance. You can also contact an attorney specializing in landlord disputes.
A landlord may not neglect maintenance which renders the property uninhabitable. It sounds like they want you out of there - either to renovate that part of the building, or sell it.
On the other hand, if you like the other apartment, take it, but ask the landlord for $500 to cover incidental expenses, or ask for one month's free rent in the new apartment. In effect, you're asking for a payment to move. If he really wants you out of the apartment, he'll pay it.
One thing you cannot under any circumstances do; do not withhold your rent. The law doesn't allow this, and it will put you at risk of an eviction.
One thing you might do if you want; you can have the pipe fixed at your own expense, then send the landlord the bill. You might or might not get the money back.
2007-02-09 09:42:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the Health Department, this is just a lame excuse, frozen pipes can be thawed out during the coldest part of the season. The jerks are jacking you around and everybody that lives their should refuse to pay rent until the goddamned thing is fixed.
You can't flush toilets and thus that creates a health concern and hazard.
2007-02-09 09:35:19 · answer #4 · answered by michael_trussell 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call the Health Department, see if there is a local renter's rights group to handle the case for you and make sure you take pictures! Contact your local News Media they love slamming people...If all else fails, contact H.U.D for Fair Housing Practices on line! Good luck.
2007-02-09 10:02:39 · answer #5 · answered by Sassy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the site below, this is the most affordable way to take Legal Action against your Land Lord. Watch the online movie presentation. Contact me if you want more information.
2007-02-09 10:48:00 · answer #6 · answered by citronge69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well..if you are the only ones effected. And they offered to relocate you to a fully functional Apt. Equal to the one you currently reside in. They have legally (in my eyes) offered a solution to your problem that you rejected. But I can also understand why you don't want to move. Maybe you like the spot your at.. And moving is a pain in the butt too.
2007-02-09 09:37:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your in a kind of grey area for me i'd say notify the police and withhold rrent till fixed but since they are offering to move you to another place i think that might be ok youd really have to read the contract and find what renter rights you have for your state as they vary from state to state
2007-02-09 09:36:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the site on the link below - this is a broad look at renter's rights and what you can do about your unfortunate and unfair situation. It would help if I knew which state you were in, but you can start with this.
http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/458FCF42-D150-4F2D-A25D38F73C8EEA6B/104/138/160/
Good luck to you
2007-02-09 09:40:04 · answer #9 · answered by PamV 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kvit your kvetching and move. Sounds like you're not staying at the Ritz to begin with.
2007-02-09 09:36:12 · answer #10 · answered by senior citizen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋