Still No Cooking Gas in Apartment
This is an update from my previous post from May 21, 2010. Since that day we still have no cooking gas in our apartment because of a gas leak in our pipe. Mechanics came at one point last week to find the leak to no avail. They made a giant hole in our wall behind…
This is an update from my previous post from May 21, 2010.
Since that day we still have no cooking gas in our apartment because of a gas leak in our pipe. Mechanics came at one point last week to find the leak to no avail. They made a giant hole in our wall behind our stove to check the pipes, and the leak was not there- and the hole has yet to be repaired.
Since then the landlord kept us waiting since it was a holiday weekend starting Friday, yet today, Tuesday, no one has come to find the leak.
The mechanics mentioned they wanted to make a hole in the business below our apartment to see if the leak was in the bottom part of the pipe, but I know they encountered difficulty from the business owner, since they said they didn’t want anyone making holes in their walls.
On Thursday the 27, our landlord loaned us a propane cooking unit to use outside, which we have been the times it hasn’t rained.
We have paid our rent on time for the past 3 years- but this month we are planning on waiting for the gas pipe to be fixed before paying.
It has been around 11 days without being able to cook in our kitchen. Should I deduct part of the rent?
Thanks for advice!
Yes, I’ve spoken to the workers that have been doing the gas leak finding and that will do the pipe work. But I haven’t spoken to them since the made the whole in my wall!
Have you ever contacted the gas company (Con Ed or whoever you have in your location)? They should be able to find the gas leak. You said mechanics came to check, did you mean the gas company? Withholding rent is always risky, but maybe you can work something out with the LL about reducing your rent until the problem is taken care of. I think that is a reasonable request.
thanks heather,
I mentioned getting an electric stove- he just laughed nervously. The gas stoves we have are probably like 30 years old if not older!
Thanks Bolder and mopar.
My upstairs neighbor had a leak a few months back (was over a month with no gas) and they put a new pipe from the basement, through our floor and ceiling up to theirs- im assuming that if they dont find the leak downstairs they will probably run a new line.
We’ve been using a toaster oven and the propane stove to get by. I don’t necessarily have a good relationship with the LL, but we have always paid on time and been good tenants, unlike others in the building.
I haven’t paid yet, but fear that if I ask for a discount he will laugh in my face. I felt to at least hold it until it gets fixed and then pay it once it does.
The building is obviously old and apparently falling apart, but in another light I’m in a good situation because our rent is so cheap compared to any other place around here- believe me we have been looking, and every other apartment is crappier and more expensive than ours. And I don’t want to move to ridgewood or bedstuy or bushwick.
I was also just informed that the building was sold and will be under new management in august. i have no idea if that will change any kind of apartment situation.
When this happened to the neighbors below us in an old building in Williamsburg, the landlord got them an electric stove. You might want to offer that as a solution — although, as mopar mentioned, they do suck. (My father has a fancy Jenn-Air electric stove and it sucks too.)
Thanks cillmylandlord_again .
I spoke to my LL and he’s apparently waiting on the work permit. He already got in trouble once for having workers with no work permit. Do you have any idea how long those take in getting through?
I will call HPD. I’ve just called so many different numbers and spoke to people and most say to do a tenants association and have meetings and take him to court or stuff like that… I know this is how they get away with such things cause nobody wants to take the time and commitment aside from every day work. That said all that process takes months to go through, surly getting a work permit doesn’t take this long…
I don’t think you have much recourse, except to move. Gas leaks are serious business, and Con Ed insists that i’s be dotted and t’s be crossed. The plumbers have 2 choices: rip out walls to find the leak, or run a new line and cap the old one in the basement. I’m not sure that your landlord can move any faster, frankly. (Not that I’m taking his side; I unfortunately have direct experience). It will take months to fix.
If you have a good relationship with your landlord approach him with this in mind and ask him when you can expect gas. He won’t be able to hook up an electric stove if you don’t have a dedicated circuit with high-voltage lines.
My opinion: you should ask for a discount, not withhold rent. If you want to play hardball — and it doesn’t sound like you do — then definitely consult a lawyer or renters’ advocate first. You really don’t want to be sued for nonpayment.
I have no idea. But just FYI, we also had a hole in our gas lines (electricians inadvertently destroyed it while cutting off gas nipples in the light fixtures) and decided to get an electrical stove. They do suck. In the meantime, hope you are also making do with a crock pot, toaster oven, etc.
It will cost about $2,000 for the landlord to run a new gas line. Plus another $1,000 for the permit, if the gas company notices the new line. Plus another $1,000 or $2,000 to repair the walls. FYI, they will make a big mess taking out the plaster and putting it back in again and sanding and priming and painting. The whole thing could take two or three weeks or so.
Alternatively, running an electric line could be almost as complicated and expensive, depending on what your current electric situation is. A regular old plug will not do.
Just saying.
Call HPD. That’ll get your landlord’s attention. Ignore people who try to criticize your behaviour, they are spineless haters. People aren’t willing to put a fight will always tell you have no rights until they have no gas, then they’ll be looking for help.
Also, don’t pay the damn rent. Screw the deduction. People get all crazy and restless when they think you aren’t paying them…broke asses. Landlords try to act like they have money, most of them are just like…struggling. He’ll make it happen. There is lots of free advice at the Housing Court on Livingston, make an appt with one of their lawyers.