S
Suzieq95
Guest
I have been living in this apartment in NJ for almost a year. The couple downstairs is moving out, so we decided to move down because it's a little bigger apartment and it includes the garage and basement.
Our problem now is the basement. There are others, but this is a sanitary and health related issue.
The sewer backs up into the basement. It is most likely if not definately caused by tree roots on the property growing into the pipes. It's a common problem in our area.
From what I understand it is not the town's responsibility to repair this (dig up yard, replace pipe, etc.) The landlord's only solution is "We're fighting with the town. They have to fix it and cut down the trees." The town's answer is probably "Not my problem." It's not, really.
What are their responsibilities to us and to anyone who moves in upstairs until they resolve their matter? Shouldn't they just fix it and then try to bill the town? Otherwise we're stuck with odor and bacteria in the basement, coming up through the heat ducts, etc. while I'm pregnant and already have a small child? It's rediculous because they are being thick-headed and they are tightwads. I know they can afford to make the repair, which is what bothers me more. We pay a substatial rent for Bergen County and we see nothing coming out of it. You shpuld see the rest of the place.
What are our legal rights? We're not really in a position to move out and we have a dog which is very hard when you're trying to rent someplace.
What are their legal responsibilities to us?
Our problem now is the basement. There are others, but this is a sanitary and health related issue.
The sewer backs up into the basement. It is most likely if not definately caused by tree roots on the property growing into the pipes. It's a common problem in our area.
From what I understand it is not the town's responsibility to repair this (dig up yard, replace pipe, etc.) The landlord's only solution is "We're fighting with the town. They have to fix it and cut down the trees." The town's answer is probably "Not my problem." It's not, really.
What are their responsibilities to us and to anyone who moves in upstairs until they resolve their matter? Shouldn't they just fix it and then try to bill the town? Otherwise we're stuck with odor and bacteria in the basement, coming up through the heat ducts, etc. while I'm pregnant and already have a small child? It's rediculous because they are being thick-headed and they are tightwads. I know they can afford to make the repair, which is what bothers me more. We pay a substatial rent for Bergen County and we see nothing coming out of it. You shpuld see the rest of the place.
What are our legal rights? We're not really in a position to move out and we have a dog which is very hard when you're trying to rent someplace.
What are their legal responsibilities to us?