When I bought my house three years ago, we almost never got water in the basement. Now that the empty lot next to me has been built up, paved over, and turned into a large condo building, I'm getting water. Their land has been built up about 2 - 3 feet higher than mine. It's now graded down toward my property line, which is about two feet from my foundation.
Might I have any legal recourse?
2007-03-22 04:56:18 · 8 answers · asked by Chelle 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Legally they are required to retain their storm water on their own property. If they have built their property up higher than yours and are now draining onto yours, they are in violation of code. Give the owners a detailed written notification of the problem, and give them a deadline to rectify the problem (30 days), and tell them if they fail to comply, they will be contacted by your attorney.
Keep any receipts for cleanup, and keep very accurate records of time and expenses to clean up their mess. You can ask them to reimburse you. In the event it goes to court, you should be compensated for your troubles.
Remember to be polite, but firm. Most people are reasonable and will be willing to take care of the problem once they are aware of it, but some people are just worthless wastes of skin. If they fit into that category, sue their butts off. The Owner, the engineer, and the developer can all be held liable since they all had a part in creating the problem. :-)
2007-03-22 05:37:39 · answer #1 · answered by Karl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My backyard does now and returned after heavy rain. we are in a greater cutting-edge progression and the grading is terrible. We positioned sod interior the outdoor and that has helped lots. We certainly have a sump pump in our basement...THANK GOD! We had a marvelous type of rain right this moment and that has been working all day. i'm fearful of what my basement might appear like if we did no longer.
2016-10-01 08:03:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Since you will be fighting a large entity I would hire a lawyer right off the bat. They can start with a letter, and you may have to sue. If there is still on going construction you can contact the building dept, getting there permits yanked will get their attention.
2007-03-22 05:01:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can take legal action against the builder of the condo. Contact them and tell them about the problem and if they refuse to look into the matter contact an attorney.
2007-03-22 04:59:18 · answer #4 · answered by mom of twins 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, gather any evidence that supports your claim that the grading of the lot caused the flooding. Then find a good attorney.
2007-03-22 05:02:44 · answer #5 · answered by I_hope_I_know 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to your local planning and zoning, or inland wet land dept. tell them about the problem along with your lawyer
2007-03-22 05:37:45 · answer #6 · answered by dgr0919 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the problem is going to be able to prove that it never flooded before,but you should go to the authorities and tell them whats going on
2007-03-22 05:00:51 · answer #7 · answered by san_ann68 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure, get an attorney and explore your options.
2007-03-22 04:59:21 · answer #8 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋