What to do if we had a problem with the septic and I informed the landlady but was told that she didn’t did not know what it could be so we’ll have to fix it?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if we had a problem with the septic and I informed the landlady but was told that she didn’t did not know what it could be so we’ll have to fix it?
We rented a snake and spent 2 hours trying to fix it along with time to clean it up. We were with out septic for 3 days. When we could not fix got a plumer to fix there were roots in the pipes. I called land lady had bill sent to her along with a letter stating that we were deducting the rental of snake and our time to fix and clean. We were served papers to pay the $104 or to be evicted. I spoke to the Attorney Generals office and will put in a complaint. Were we wrong?
Asked on August 20, 2012 under Real Estate Law, New York
Answers:
Mark Siegel / Law Office of Mark A. Siegel
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
NY Real Property Law 235-b (warranty of habitability) provides that: "In every written or oral lease or rental agreement for residential premises the landlord or lessor shall be deemed to covenant and warrant that the premises so leased or rented and all areas used in connection therewith in common with other tenants or residents are fit for human habitation and for the uses reasonably intended by the parties and that the occupants of such premises shall not be subjected to any conditions which would be dangerous, hazardous or detrimental to their life, health or safety".
Plumbing leaks & flooding conditions have been found by NY courts to be a breach of the warranty of habitability by the landlord. A residential tenant may be awarded damages, if the court finds that the landlord breached the warranty of habitability. Damages for a breach of the warranty of habitability (known as a rent abatement) are determined by a court's finding (calculation) of the difference between the rent under the lease & the rental value during the time the conditions existed in the premises.
Separate & distinct from a rent abatement, a tenant may also claim consequential damages (including property damage), but must do so in a separate action, not as part of the tenant's claims in a landlord-tenant proceeding.
It is important to document the conditions in the premises related to the septic line, as well as any expenses in connection with the septic line blockage. In addition to documents, you can also include dated photographs & video if the court determines that it satisfies the rules of evidence. If the landlord starts a nonpayment case in landlord-tenant part of local court, you may file a counterclaim seeking an abatement of rent based upon the landlord's breach of the warranty of habitability. After a trial, the court will decide the respective claims raised by the landlord & tenant.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.