I have had intermittent leaking in my cellar ever since we moved into our house and I am pretty sure that it is coming from the neighboring apartment building next door. The super for that building refuses to let me into his cellar, so I don’t know for sure. The absentee landlord is pretty sketchy and does not return any correspondence. I can’t even get his phone number. I have tried getting the DEP to help but they can’t force the issue unless there is a constant flow coming into the basement. I would put up with the leaking (put in a sump pump) but I think part of my cellar floor is caving in. Is there anything short of serving the landlord with papers to resolve this?


Comments

  1. things that come to mind:
    -calling 311, and let them direct you.
    –You see a lot of these things come up as violations…seems like you already tried to contact the owner directly.
    –You can’t keep waiting as your wall caves in…
    –can you get a plumber or somebody to look at it so you are extra sure it’s coming from the neighbor?

  2. Can you befriend one of the tenants & get him to let you in to see their basement? Or can you make a valid argument that it’s hazardous in some way (foundation weakening or mold growing) & get a DOB or health inspection?