Apartment and Rental Properties - Renting a house, basement floods, Health Risk and other ???
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DIYliz
12-21-08, 10:07 PM
My mother just moved into a house that she is renting and the basement has standing water in it. There is a sump pit with no sump pump. There is plumbing for one to be installed and an electrical outlet but it appears that there has not been a working pump in the pit for a very long time.
My questions are:
What are the health risk of the water standing down there constantly (the area with the standing water is located below the bedrooms)??
Is there a law that requires basements to have a working sump pump?
If so, is then is it safe to assume the landlord is responsible?
My mom is in her early 60's so I am a bit worried about her health.
The home was built in the 30's and the current owner has owned it for the last 15yrs. It is very apparent he cares very little about the place. He tried to sell it from spring to fall (about 6 months) but did not get any offers on it and it was priced at $79k. He hasn't done any updates to the place, it was actually pretty run down looking on the inside. I was able to get my mom first months rent free based off my labor for painting (he purchased paint).
This place is perfect for my mom. She can walk out the front door and across the street to work. Rent is about $150 below what a 2br 1 ba is going for. She can move in with me but she really loves this place.
But again, I am worried about her health with the standing water. We called the landlord last Sat and I left a msg (didn't mention the water just ask he call me back) and we haven't heard from him. My mom is going to call him tomorrow and lv a msg that says...water in basement, you need to call me now.
Sorry so long...just trying to give all the details.
Thanks
My questions are:
What are the health risk of the water standing down there constantly (the area with the standing water is located below the bedrooms)??
Is there a law that requires basements to have a working sump pump?
If so, is then is it safe to assume the landlord is responsible?
My mom is in her early 60's so I am a bit worried about her health.
The home was built in the 30's and the current owner has owned it for the last 15yrs. It is very apparent he cares very little about the place. He tried to sell it from spring to fall (about 6 months) but did not get any offers on it and it was priced at $79k. He hasn't done any updates to the place, it was actually pretty run down looking on the inside. I was able to get my mom first months rent free based off my labor for painting (he purchased paint).
This place is perfect for my mom. She can walk out the front door and across the street to work. Rent is about $150 below what a 2br 1 ba is going for. She can move in with me but she really loves this place.
But again, I am worried about her health with the standing water. We called the landlord last Sat and I left a msg (didn't mention the water just ask he call me back) and we haven't heard from him. My mom is going to call him tomorrow and lv a msg that says...water in basement, you need to call me now.
Sorry so long...just trying to give all the details.
Thanks
Beachboy
12-22-08, 10:39 AM
First of all, with standing water in the basement, you have the potential for a serious mold problem. The health problems with mold are well documented. Secondly, if there is no means of draining water down there, and it got in there somehow, what's to keep it from getting deeper and jeopardizing the furnace and water heater (assuming they're located in the basement). Also when you rent a house, you have a reasonable expectation to fully utilize the rented area for your needs. With the basement unusable, you cannot use the square footage you are paying for. I would demand a sump pump be reinstalled AND the source of the unwanted water located and stopped. You're dealing with two issues here. If the landlord does not cooperate with you, it might be time to talk to an attorney familiar with basic rental housing and lease laws. Your mother is living in a house that is unfit for habitation due to the health issues the standing water could cause.
DIYliz
12-23-08, 12:20 AM
Thanks for the reply.
The landlord came by today and was shocked to find standing water. He says he is aware of small leak on that side of the basement (it is an old garage that was blocked off and it is separated from the other side of the basement that is dry)
As a homeowner with a basement myself, I checked for mold upon her moving in. I did notice a few ares that appeared to have some dampness issues but nothing that looked like mold or would be a big problem. And I know he didn't clean the place....b/c the upstairs wasn't cleaned (we did it so mom could have first months rent free).
Anyway, the landlord believes teh drain is clogged and states that he has never had a problem with standing water. (I don't see how with out a working sump pump). I can't figure where the water drains out at. The drain on the side of the basement that is flooded is the old garage (drive under the house type). It appears the drain drains over to the sump pit (located on the dry side of the basement). But that I am not 100% certain of. I can't see how the sump pit (which has standing water in it) doesn't overflow. [shrugs]
He is having someone come out to check the drain to see if it is clogged. A sump pump was briefly discussed....... If the issues isn't resolved I will talk to him again and inform him then that due to health risk he either needs to fix it or he'll get a letter from our attorney.
We will see what happens. We leave Friday for 9 day vacation. I hope the issue is resolved before then. Beer 4U2
Thanks!
The landlord came by today and was shocked to find standing water. He says he is aware of small leak on that side of the basement (it is an old garage that was blocked off and it is separated from the other side of the basement that is dry)
As a homeowner with a basement myself, I checked for mold upon her moving in. I did notice a few ares that appeared to have some dampness issues but nothing that looked like mold or would be a big problem. And I know he didn't clean the place....b/c the upstairs wasn't cleaned (we did it so mom could have first months rent free).
Anyway, the landlord believes teh drain is clogged and states that he has never had a problem with standing water. (I don't see how with out a working sump pump). I can't figure where the water drains out at. The drain on the side of the basement that is flooded is the old garage (drive under the house type). It appears the drain drains over to the sump pit (located on the dry side of the basement). But that I am not 100% certain of. I can't see how the sump pit (which has standing water in it) doesn't overflow. [shrugs]
He is having someone come out to check the drain to see if it is clogged. A sump pump was briefly discussed....... If the issues isn't resolved I will talk to him again and inform him then that due to health risk he either needs to fix it or he'll get a letter from our attorney.
We will see what happens. We leave Friday for 9 day vacation. I hope the issue is resolved before then. Beer 4U2
Thanks!