leak damage and my responsibility

My co-op building (Manhattan) is trying to get me to pay for water damage and re-plumbing necessary to the co-op below me due to a drain pipe leaking.  It turns out that long before (20-30 years ago) I ever bought (12 years ago) the place, the previous owner renovated the bathroom and used PVC piping (which they say is illegal).  The building discovered this when they tore out the ceiling of the bathroom below to see my floor pipes.  Now they are saying that even if the pipes are in the floor/walls, that they are made from PVC makes them ‘special equipment’ which makes it my responsibility and according to Proprietary Lease I inherit the problem.  I think the building should just step up to the plate and pay for their repairs.
I could just put it to insurance, but it’s really the principle of it all. Should I fight or just submit it.  If fight, any suggestions on a lawyer?   Thanks

thebluehound

in Lawyers and legal service 13 years and 1 month ago

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greenmountain | 13 years and 1 month ago

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You want to enforce principles?  You got a super?  He got friends?  Do his friends work for shareholders?  They got insurance?  They licensed?  They hire licensed plumbers?  They use the super’s workspace?  They read the proprietary lease?  They read?  They charge less than those of us who do the job right the first time and actually follow the rules?  No?  Start making trouble for them.

anotherposter | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Yeah, I’m not fully up on coop rules but I can’t imagine it’s much different than buying a house.  You are buying it, hidden problems and all. We’ve found crazy shit done by the previous owners of our brownstone but it’s our problem now.  It sucks but so it goes.

Bklnite | 13 years and 1 month ago

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I think you should be pissed at the previous owner that sold you the apt with plumbing not to code, not at the coop.

Kensingtonian | 13 years and 1 month ago

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You’ll lose my friend, I am telling you from experience but on the board’s side. You’ll spend more on lawyer fighting this.

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 1 month ago

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If you building has concrete slabs then it is a bit hard to say they did not know about it as one must install the pipe from inside the other apartment, which as you can see is a lot of work.  In the end you are most likely stuck or hire a decent real estate attorney.  Here is who I use: Allyn Crawford, esq  (718) 273-9414.  Good luck.