I'm in Maryland. Next-door neighbor had basement waterproofing work performed. After completion of work, I smell strong dryer exhaust fumes coming into my house and making me ill. I tell neighbor, he doesn't care. I complain to City, they do not inspect neighbor's premises. They do not care. The waterproofing contractor breached out common party wall somewhere with all their drilling and clothes dryer exhaust fumes, which are supposed to vented outdoors, are infiltrating into my house. My neighbor did show me his basement. I could not believe it, I saw the dryer for myself. It is vented directly into his own basement. This is a legal private nuisance, interfering with my right to personal use of my own property. The City hasn't responsibly inspected next-doors premises. I also beieve City did not properly inspect waterproofing work in the very beginning like they are required to do. I believe the home improvement contractor has caused damage or a material defect to my house. I want to sue all three . What kind of lawyer do I get. Thank you.
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Property Damage
- Thread starter serinismd
- Start date
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Zigner
Senior Member, Non-Attorney
The claim against the city is a non-starter, however, the first step there is to file a formal claim and have it rejected before you are allowed to sue. There is a very strict timeline for this, so don't dawdle.
I don't know how much money you expect to get out of this, but it's likely to be very little (if any).
I don't know how much money you expect to get out of this, but it's likely to be very little (if any).
justalayman
Senior Member
If this is a gas dryer it is an immediate life hazard and you should be calling everybody in the phone book (I’m dating myself) trying to get his use of the dryer stopped until the issue is fixed. The exhaust from a gas dryer can result in death. Do not wait to raise the battle flag.
If it is an electric dryer it is a nuisance but little more.
Once you get beyond that;
You mention a common wall. Since we are talking basements we are speaking of foundations. If the contractor compromised the integrity of the wal, it could have devastating effects on the building itself. I suggest you contact the building inspector to review the work performed with the concern of structural damage in mind.
If there are no structural concerns it then becomes a nuisance issue. It must be determined if the contractor has damaged the wall itself such that it’s integrity as a demising wall has been compromised from its prior condition. If it can be proven the contractor has diminished the effectiveness as a demising wall, it’s time to make a demand it be repaired. If denied its time to file suit against both the neighbor and the contractor seeking the wall be repaired.
If it is an electric dryer it is a nuisance but little more.
Once you get beyond that;
You mention a common wall. Since we are talking basements we are speaking of foundations. If the contractor compromised the integrity of the wal, it could have devastating effects on the building itself. I suggest you contact the building inspector to review the work performed with the concern of structural damage in mind.
If there are no structural concerns it then becomes a nuisance issue. It must be determined if the contractor has damaged the wall itself such that it’s integrity as a demising wall has been compromised from its prior condition. If it can be proven the contractor has diminished the effectiveness as a demising wall, it’s time to make a demand it be repaired. If denied its time to file suit against both the neighbor and the contractor seeking the wall be repaired.
Just Blue
Senior Member
I *think* HRZ meant the "gas or electric" as a question. Perhaps, someday, s/he will get his/hers big girl/boy punctuation panties on.
A all electric dryer that is unvented will increase a homes humidity and in a basement one might risk more mold/ mildew , but I have to say when I had a all electric dryer the last few years I had lived on West Broadway in winter I let the dryer hose lay on the floor and the heat from it felt great on the feet when it was run ( summer I had a piece of plywood set up to connect the hose a regular vent to it out side then had the window AC on the far opposite side , BUT OP I suggest you go buy a plug in carbon monoxide alarm to monitor your homes air and if it goes off when the neighbor runs the dryer consider calling the fire department and asking them if they could check on the neighbor ?
Just Blue
Senior Member
Good idea!
Thank you everybody for your comments. It's a lawsuit issue by now. It's up to how much I can afford to sue, that's very expensive! The City Inspection Dept. is intentionally ignoring me, my complaint form, my 8 pg. complaint letter, ICC codes, documentations, my phone calls and emails. They know what's up and do not want to get involved and/or enforce their own municipal codes. Government? RIGHT!! My health and house are being ruined. But thanks for showing interest anyway. I appreciate very much!!
Thanks justalayman, I appreciate your comments. I understand all of that already. It's paying for an attorney to bring suit. I don't think I have enough money, which is why I wanted the City to do what they are supposed to do. They are ignoring me on purpose, I know it and so do they. My health and house are ruined. Thanks waterproofing contractors. I hope you can sleep well at night!!!!!!!
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