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May 18, 2009
Water main replacement
Our landlord has just hit everyone in our building with a 5% rent increase. He claims that part of the reason is the $40,000 he had to pay for a new water main.
(The city is replacing the water mains under the street and the landlord said he had to pay for the pipe into the building). Is this really something he has to pay for, or does the city handle this? And if he pays, is $40,000 a realistic figure?
Comments
The city does not repair the pipe from the street to the building - that is the responsibility of the homeowner.
As far as the amount, I would think that it would depend on the size of the main (how many units in the building).
A two family attached row house up the block from me paid something like 20-25K last year for this.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at May 18, 2009 12:23 PM
Senator, was that a large building? It was my understanding that a main for a typical 20' wide, 2,500 sq. ft. brownstone would be $2,000-5,000.
OP...are you all on month-to-month leases? How can he raise everyone's rent???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at May 18, 2009 1:09 PM
It's a 4-story building with about 25 units. And there are no leases. We're all month-to-month tenants.
Posted by: greenwood at May 18, 2009 1:17 PM
Across the street from me a guy paid $3000. a month ago - a 2-family, 5 storey bldg.
Posted by: Arkady at May 18, 2009 1:41 PM
My Bad!! I was thinking of the sewer pipe! Water mains are MUCH cheaper!!
DIBS is correct. 2-5K.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at May 18, 2009 1:43 PM
But for a 25 unit building it is a completely different story. Especially if it runs more than about 20' from the street where the main water supply is.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at May 18, 2009 1:45 PM
The front wall of the building is about 12 feet from the curb. And I know the boiler is just behind the front wall in the basement, if that means anything. $40K still seems like a lot.
Posted by: greenwood at May 18, 2009 2:07 PM
It does seem like a lot but I don't know how big the pipe needs to be. That said, its the same amount of work for a 2 family as it would be for a 25 family.
Are you sure the sewer line wasn't replaced as well???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at May 18, 2009 2:18 PM
Unless there's something in the lease (which, as a month-to-month tenant, you don't have) tying rent increases to particular events or costs, it's really besides the point why he's raising your rent. For all you know, there could have been a leak that cost him a fortune and your landlord's "sharing" the burden. His reasons for raising the rent are basically irrelevant, and almost surprising that he bothered to explain. It strikes me as odd to have a building with so many units where everyone is month-to-month. That's really the issue for you: what's the nature of the building and managment that everyone lives without a lease; and whether you want to live in circumstances where there's no document governing the terms, conditions and length of stay.
Posted by: vinca at May 18, 2009 2:31 PM
Vinca - I was thinking the same thing. Why would the LL even bother to give an explanation for the rent increase.
OP - If you feel that the rent increase is unwarranted, try to negoitate a smaller increase with your LL. All he/she can say is no. Keep in mind that utilities (water, gas, etc.) aren't going down these days.
Posted by: StuyIvy at May 18, 2009 3:08 PM
Water rates are rising. RE taxes rise about 8% per year or so.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at May 18, 2009 3:37 PM
So do insurance rates.
Posted by: Arkady at May 18, 2009 4:28 PM
You might be paying for a new 4 or 6 inch main for a sprinkler system also with all the OS&Y valves siamese, etc. Does your building have a sprinkler system.
Posted by: mod squad at May 19, 2009 9:15 AM
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