Should we have to pay rent right now???

[Dunkopf]

It sounds like the problem is caused by the leach field being in an area where water is allowed to accumulate. So it sounds like this is probably a reoccurring problem when there is heavy rain. I hope it's not, for your sake. If it is a reoccurring problem and he knows it, that would be bad. You should check the state laws. They are there to protect people in your position.

I would be real nice to the landlord until you find out what he's actually up to though. I don't think there's anything you could have done in 2 months to plug the leach system.

 

[onthespot]

Keep ALL agreements in writing, or emails. If he verbally changes your rental agreement, and then accepts, for example, less rent for April, he has changed the rental agreement.

Buy this book and read it.
http://www.nolo.com/products/the-california-landlords-law-book-LBRT.html

 

[NottinghamChicks]

I am sure thare are rules and codes that a landllord has to follow and not having those amenities would be in violation. I would also think that as a landlord he has special insurance that should cover his losses of income. Perhaps you should ask him about his insurance and ask him to put you up in another place until the issue is resolved. Still a major inconvenience for you and I am sorry that this happened

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

As a landlord I will offer my 2 cents…. You just moved in, but you did sign a contract. If it was an act of god and something that could not have been prevented I would continue paying rent, but if this is a slum lord situation I would rethink moving in because that will be the beginning of your problems. I am sure there would be a way out of it with advice from a lawyer. In KY it is my job to take care of the problem, not the tenants. I would personally offer a big discount on the first month of rent because it is very inconvenient and you just moved in.
I will agree with another poster…..not all landlords are rich. We fell into our rental houses. My husband and I had our own houses when we got married then we bought a house together and couldn’t sell the others so we are renting them out. We still have mortgages to pay and don’t make much at all when all is said and done…other than a good write off on taxes I would say we almost break even every year.

 

[Carols Clucks]

If you are pumping 3700 gallons of water an hour, sounds like the real problem might be uphill somewhere with a creek or drainage culvert that is causing the problem.

You might be able to use google earth/maps to check up stream and see where all the water is coming from. I doubt that they have been living with this for 100 years, something else must have gone wrong. (besides the extra extra rain we have gotten this year)


added


you might be pumping out the water table.....and it will keep on rising.

I would get a porta potty there asap, have the owner call for it on his dime.

If you call your local county public works, they might have some suggestions for you. If not I would inform the property owner that the property is not habitable and look for something new. Lots of vacant rentals out there now

 

[Elite Silkies]

As a landlord, we only charge the mortgage payment on our home, which is very cheap, so our tenants are responsible for repairs. If they want us to keep us with repairs, then they would have to pay more each month. If I was charging more rent, then I would certainly be obligated to have all problems fixed.

It just depends on what your contract states. If you are not responsible for repairs, then the landlord needs to have them fixed. If he/she cannot afford to keep the home in operable condition, then he/she should have never rented the home to anyone. JMO You should be released from the contract. People cannot live w/out proper facilities.

 

[TMNTCkins]

Our landlord is an invester. Our house is the 5th house he has bought in our area. Our state requires that in order for him to rent us our home it must have a working bathroom. We have been pumping water and the water levels have been going down. If we stop pumping the tank fills up in 45 min. Once the ground dries out some than he will have the proper drainage put in. They decided because we went 7 days of no showers or toilets that they will deduct a weeks worth of rent. I think that is fair and totally agree.
So everything work out good, thank goodness

Thanks for all you help and info.

Tina

 

[Rozzie]

If it is not caused by an act of nature, then I think that is NOT enough. How much time have you invested into this problem? The landlord is the one who should have been investing time in seeking a solution to infrastructure problems on the property. A septic system is not something that the tenant should have to maintain, except possibly for paying for an annual pump-out, if specified as such in the lease.

Also, you really need to check on the laws regarding septic maintenance where you live. My grandparents live in a state that has massive fines if you do ANYTHING to your own septic. You can't TOUCH the septic system there anymore -- and they live miles from any town of any size. (Their neighbors did get busted for this, too...)

 

[TMNTCkins]

It was really an act of nature. The septic is in a bad place and with all the rain we have had the leach field flooded. We are pumping water from the backyard (there is a lake behind the house) so it quits running into the septic tank. We just found out that he has only owned the home for 3 mo. we are the first people to rent here. He had no idea that it would flood, but after talking to the neighbors the leach field floods every year on this house for the past 5 yrs that they have known. So it's not a new problem to the house but was unknown to the new ower. We will see what happens from here.
I have spent the last 7 days getting people out here to see if it can be fixed. I still have to find someone (that the landlord agrees with) who will fix it once we dry out a little and they can get equipment out here. I have one company that says they can fix it now but with all the rain they are a week to two weeks out on jobs.
I'm just happy that I can take a shower in the house and not drive down the road to my parents house!

 

[goldenluver]

I don't know if any one said this.....

There are federal laws that protect the tennants, I know that is my rentals have that happen, I have to fix it in so many hours or put them up in a hotel at my expense until repaired.

I do have 2 rentals, so I have some knowege about this.