We came home after a week away and our carpet was soaking wet, and the adjoining wall between ours and next door's was wet too. It's an unoccupied house though, and we have no idea who owns it. It's an end terrace, and it looks like there is a leak outside next to the property, which could be running through theirs and into ours. We've phoned everywhere, but nobody can help because they say they can't gain access into that property. Does anyone know who we need to speak to? I'm so worried! Our carpet is sodden!
2007-06-28 09:27:44 · 10 answers · asked by sixty_monroes 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Holy cow! First, see if there is a water shut-off that you can access near the street. Usually in the ground inside a box of some sort. Usually you will need a special tool to turn it off. If you can turn off the water, next go to the courthouse and find out who owns the property. Call them if you can find a number or send a certified letter as well as a regular letter and tell them about the problem.
Sounds like you live in a condo-type dwelling. There should be someone who has authority over the maintenance of the grounds and common areas. Contact them and see if they can help.
If your carpet is sodden, your walls and under floor supports are in jeopardy. This is a terrible situation and your health could be in danger as well as your property.
If the water is not coming from their property, but from the public water system, then call them and casually mention they will liable for any damages. Or, maybe not so casually. Ask someone to come out immediately.
If you can't turn off the water, try the health department, sheriff department, water department, etc. Tell them this is an emergency (which it is). You cannot remain in a house full of water and mold.
Good luck, you have my sympathy.
2007-06-28 09:41:47 · answer #1 · answered by bandycat5 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look in front of the house and find the water meter. Its almost always by the street. Take a wrench with you , open the lid to the meter cover and locate the shut off valve. You'll see a water line coming from the ground, going to the meter, and back into the ground. On the street side there with be a shut off valve with a flat upright section. Its usually about an inch long and about an inch tall. With your wrench, turn that valve clock-wise until it sits 90 degrees to the pipe. It will usually stop when its closed. This will stop water from coming into your place.
Go to the courthouse to the tax assessor's office and give them the address and they can tell you who owns the house. Contact them and tell them whats going on and that they need to fix the problem. Usually you can work out any details with them then as far as costs of cleaning your property (depending on their attitude anyway).
Good luck.
2007-06-28 09:49:30 · answer #2 · answered by Jimmie C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you call the police and have them make a courtesy call, to see if everything is O.K. over there.
Contact the city, County assessors office to see who the owner is: Find out through the city zoning office, tell them what the problem is and what's going on.
If everything else fails, I can't tell you this but, if it was mine and was in danger, I wouldn't say anything but, I'd go over there and get in on my own and stop the problem.
Call the city attorneys office and see what the legalities are for this, tell him the dangers to the property you own.
If it's in the city and it's connected to city water, they're respobsible for the water, ask them to turn it off. City works department. Or, turn it off yourself, usually in the street or in front of the house.
2007-06-28 11:08:20 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's gonna be a long process, but you will have to take this issue to the sewage/water administration of the city that you live in. They will get in touch with the owner of the vacant property and have that person take care of that situation. If the person can't be contacted or refuses to respond, the city will have to file a warrant. If nothing is done, then the city is supposed to take care of the problems that inconvenienced you. Hope this helped!!!!
2007-06-28 09:43:07 · answer #4 · answered by W.O.W. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You never made it clear whether these properties are rented or owned. If it is rented, you need to contact the property manager to have that water shut off. If not, maybe the fire department can legally enter the premises and shut the water off. That all depends what state you live in and what town or city law applies.
2016-04-01 09:17:58 · answer #5 · answered by Christa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go out and turn off the water main at the front of their house....then look up on your counties tax assessors home page who the owner is....then contact them. If you have a home owners association they should be able to help you alot.
2007-06-28 09:33:05 · answer #6 · answered by akr_tx 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Council will know who owns it. Explain to them what's happening and that you need to get hold of the owner asap. Ring your insurance company also (I hope you're insured). They will do whatever they can to find out who owns the property because they will have to pay the insurance company's bill. Good luck
2007-06-28 09:32:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely call your insurance company. They will take care of it because it is in their best interest, but it may take a couple of days. Also call your local police station (non-emergency) and explain the situation to them. They may be able to find out what's going on, or at least tell you what to do.
2007-06-28 09:43:33 · answer #8 · answered by elljay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is a water leak, the water service company can turn it off outside the building.
2007-06-28 09:45:39 · answer #9 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
CALL THE CITY INSPECTOR MAYBE TRY KNOCKING IN THEIR DOOR A FEW TIMES BEFORE YOU DO THAT NO A ANSWER THEN CALL THE CITY INSPECTOR
2007-06-28 09:35:00 · answer #10 · answered by ANGEL KING 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋