What is the name of your state? NJ
I'm a renter of a new house. The landlord/owner paid a private party $1000 for landscaping (laying topsoil, fertilizer and seeding) the back yard, as only the front yard was sodded.
The back yard was starting to grow nicely when the builder decided to re-direct the drainage pipe coming from the rear of the house and attach it underground to the main drainage pipe at the end of the property draining into a community drainage. We're assuming they had easement rights.
In the process the tractor damaged the lawn as it went to and from the pipe digging, and the trench made was filled in with soil which also covered a large portion of the growing grass. Most recently, there is now a large sink-hole above the area where the pipes attach.
The owner has been calling the builder on a daily basis without any reply. Originally it was to find out if they were going to repair the damage to the lawn. Most recently, it is now becoming a dangerous situation, where anyone walking in the area could slip and fall into the sink-hole.
My questions are:
1. Is the builder responsible for repairing damage to a lawn in the process of making necessary chages to the drainage system?
2. If the builder doens't respond, or says it is not their responsibility, what can the owner do for (1) Get the builder to pay for damages (2) Get the sink-hole fixed immediately so that there is no liability for him or us as tenants, should someone hurt themselves.
Thank you for your assistance.
I'm a renter of a new house. The landlord/owner paid a private party $1000 for landscaping (laying topsoil, fertilizer and seeding) the back yard, as only the front yard was sodded.
The back yard was starting to grow nicely when the builder decided to re-direct the drainage pipe coming from the rear of the house and attach it underground to the main drainage pipe at the end of the property draining into a community drainage. We're assuming they had easement rights.
In the process the tractor damaged the lawn as it went to and from the pipe digging, and the trench made was filled in with soil which also covered a large portion of the growing grass. Most recently, there is now a large sink-hole above the area where the pipes attach.
The owner has been calling the builder on a daily basis without any reply. Originally it was to find out if they were going to repair the damage to the lawn. Most recently, it is now becoming a dangerous situation, where anyone walking in the area could slip and fall into the sink-hole.
My questions are:
1. Is the builder responsible for repairing damage to a lawn in the process of making necessary chages to the drainage system?
2. If the builder doens't respond, or says it is not their responsibility, what can the owner do for (1) Get the builder to pay for damages (2) Get the sink-hole fixed immediately so that there is no liability for him or us as tenants, should someone hurt themselves.
Thank you for your assistance.