View Full Version : Landlord & Tenant
kriscaba
Jul 19, 2010, 12:27 PM
Landlord have to repipes in kitchen and bath. The plumber said it will take 5-10 days to do the jobs. A rental unit will not have water for weeks. Do the landlord have to pay tenant to find temporary place to stay? It's month to month rent.
RickJ
Jul 19, 2010, 01:07 PM
In short, the answer is no.
... but...
I can tell you, though, that there is no reason that any reputable plumber would need 5-10 days to replace any pipes.
Sounds like you are being taken advantage of. What were the symptoms and what are you being told needs replaced?
kriscaba
Jul 19, 2010, 05:31 PM
Thank you for reply.
The plumber said old galvanized iron water pipes gets rust and clogged with mineral deposit. The water pressure is low. There is a leak (rusty water) under bathroom sink. He said I need to replace the piping with the copper.
Fr_Chuck
Jul 19, 2010, 06:05 PM
Yes, and they can do the job of the inside in most within one day, two at the most, I have seen my son's crew go in and do a kitchen and two bath home, replace all the pipes and even fixtures in two days. Three if they replaced the main pipe from the street.
Why would you not have water for weeks ? A main to the unit, separate cut off for each unit ( even if they don't have it now, a day to do that , or less)
Is the weeks of no water due to other major remodeling, moving walls, putting on an addition or something.
RickJ
Jul 20, 2010, 04:28 AM
In most states, the landlord
1) must supply running water, and
2) must do repairs in a reasonable period... in my opinion, no judge would agree that 5-10 days without water is reasonable.
I would have a "heart to heart" with the landlord and ask for the money to stay somewhere else (he may not HAVE to do that). If he does not agree, then I'd consider
1. a complaint to the BBB,
2. A complaint to your state attorney general, and
3. pay rent in escrow.
excon
Jul 20, 2010, 04:47 AM
Hello k:
Let's say you were the tenant. You have a job and you want to pay your rent... But, you need to shower every day in order to KEEP your job, so you can PAY your rent. Everybody can get away with ONE day of no shower - maybe TWO. But, how is your tenant going to live their life when you are NOT supplying water, but you ARE charging rent??
Nope. As you've found out, 10 days is TOO long for your tenants to put up with. I'd find me a new plumber or an attorney to represent you against your pissed off tenants.
excon
RickJ
Jul 20, 2010, 05:03 AM
Hello k:
Let's say you were the tenant. You have a job and you want to pay your rent.... But, you need to shower every day in order to KEEP your job, so you can PAY your rent. Everybody can get away with ONE day of no shower - maybe TWO. But, how is your tenant going to live their life when you are NOT supplying water, but you ARE charging rent???
Nope. As you've found out, 10 days is TOO long for your tenants to put up with. I'd find me a new plumber or an attorney to represent you against your pissed off tenants.
excon
So true. Unfortunately, so many tenants cannot afford to hire an attorney to pursue the issue... but that does not leave the tenant helpless. BBB/Attorney General complaints can work... as can paying the rent to escrow.
kriscaba, please let us know what you do and how things go from here.