Horror stories of slumlords are often in the news, but you never give much thought to these issues until you are the victim of a negligent landlord. Sadly, far too many owners of rental units only see dollar signs when it comes to an apartment or rental home. They have no concern for the people living inside these units, and as a result, they are slow to make repairs, if they do so at all.
Plumbing issues are one of the most common complaints from tenants in California, especially in older buildings, though even newer buildings can have problems with pipes, drains, and sewage systems if they are not properly maintained. Owners of apartment buildings and other types of rentals have a legal duty to ensure that conditions are “habitable” for the people that live inside them. But many landlords continue to violate the laws and put tenants in danger.
Are you suffering in your apartment due to your landlord’s failure to repair a broken sewer line? Have you been asking yourself, “Do I have a case for monetary compensation if my landlord won’t resolve a problem with my apartment’s plumbing?” The slumlord lawsuit attorneys of Normandie can help you take action against a negligent landlord or management company, so please contact us for a free consultation.
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The Dangers of a Broken Sewer Line
A broken sewer line is by no means a minor issue when it comes to your health and safety. Here are some of the consequences of living with a broken or leaking sewer system:
- Unpleasant odors
– this is one of the most telling signs that something is wrong with your sewer line. Usually described as the smell of rotten eggs, the odor may indicate clogs or cracks in the sewer lines or pipes, thereby causing unpleasant odors from your drains, which are the byproduct of chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. If you are exposed to these gases for a long time, you may start to experience nausea, fatigue, headaches, and other health issues.
- Clogged or slow drains
– Broken sewer lines can cause blockages in your pipes or drains. As a result, you may end up with sewage backing up through your toilet, sink, or shower / bathtub. This can lead to unpleasant, not to mention, unsanitary conditions in your apartment, thereby making the place uninhabitable.
- Mold and mildew
– This is another key indicator of sewage line issues, especially if there are wet spots on your floors, ceilings or walls. This can indicate a broken pipe or collapsed sewer line, which must be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the growth mold and mildew. The danger here is in the spores that are released by these fungi, which usually appear black, gray, or white. It may be accompanied by warped or peeling of paint, drywall, etc., and a musty smell. A mold infestation can cause headaches, nose bleeds, respiratory problems, and many other health conditions, so any signs of mold must be resolved immediately.
- Bug infestations
– Bugs and rodents can enter your home through the cracks in a broken sewer line. Aside from causing further issues with the sewer line, these pests will quickly multiply and cause havoc in your apartment. Thus, if you notice increased insect or pest activity in your home, it may indicate issues with your drains or the sewage system.
Can I Sue if my Apartment Owner won’t Repair a Broken Sewer Line?
If your apartment or building owner has failed to fix a compromised sewer line, you have the right to file a lawsuit against them and seek compensation for your monetary losses. You can also file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. This is the state agency that investigates slumlord complaints and issue fines and other legal sanctions, as needed.
As for a lawsuit, this is a complex legal action that you should discuss with an experienced California landlord-tenant attorney. Our lawyers can advise you of the steps you should take to document evidence for a claim and ensure that your right to compensation is protected. Many tenants go ahead and take things into their own hands, but doing so can actually hurt your chances for a lawsuit, as there are rules and regulations you must follow under California law.
If you are in need of a lawyer that can help with a landlord failure to make repairs lawsuit, contact the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm.
Slumlord Laws for Broken Sewer System / Leaking Sewer System
Landlords or building management firms have specific duties and obligations towards their tenants when they put a rental unit on the market. The apartment, house, etc., must meet certain standards of habitability that makes it reasonably safe and comfortable. These requirements must be met throughout the tenancy by the renter, meaning that landlords have to make timely repairs if there are plumbing issues like cracks of leaks in a sewer line.
To be in compliance with California law, here is what a rental unit must have while it’s being rented / occupied by a tenant:
- Unbroken doors and windows, with deadbolts depending on the type and location of door or window
- Have effective weather protection on the roof and exterior walls (waterproofing, for example)
- Be free of filth, debris, rodents, bug infestations, etc.
- Have fully functioning heating, electrical, and plumbing systems, including a working sink and toilet and access to hot and cold water.
- Clean and maintained stairways, railings, and floors in hallways and other common areas
- Adequate areas / receptacles for trash disposal
- Be free of asbestos and lead paint hazards
- Be free of criminal, dangerous, or unreasonably obnoxious / offensive elements, like drug dealing in the building, excessive noise at night, etc.
Average Case Value of a Slumlord-Tenant Lawsuit
Tenants who are being taken advantage of by their landlord usually have questions about the amount they can recover from a lawsuit. But there is no way to pinpoint an “average” settlement, considering that each claimant suffers unique injuries, loss of property, and other damages due to a damaged sewer system. In some of these cases, a fair settlement may be within the range of $10,000 or above. Or, they may be within the range of $250,000 and above, based on extreme negligence by the landlord. and the resulting injuries to the tenant.
Many of the lawsuits for unsafe living conditions result in 7 to 8 figure settlements, but it’s important to note that most of these are class actions filed by many tenants in one building or complex. However, settlements of $1,000,000 and above are possible in cases of serious injuries with permanent complications, which can happen from long-term exposure to mold, lead paint, and other harmful substances.
If you’re interested in learning the approximate value of your substandard housing lawsuit, please give us a call to meet with one of our legal experts.
Statute of Limitations to Sue Your Landlord
How long you have to file a legal case against your landlord depends on whether you have a written or verbal lease. If you have a written lease that was signed by both of you, the time limit to file a failure to meet habitability standards lawsuit is 4 years. If, on the other hand, there was a verbal agreement to rent the property, you must file a tenant-landlord complaint within 2 years.
It can be challenging to figure out when the four or two-year period starts for one of these claims. To ensure that you are going by the correct date, please take a moment to talk to a member of our legal team.
Contact the Tenants’ Rights Lawsuit Attorneys of Normandie
Relationships between landlords and tenants are not perfect, but there should be a code of conduct that exists between both sides when there is an agreement to rent a property. On the landlord’s part, they are legally obligated to provide a safe rental unit and make necessary repairs in a timely manner. As a broken sewer line compromises your health and your ability to enjoy the apartment as it was intended, this is an issue that must be fixed right away. If your landlord or apartment building manager has failed to repair a broken sewer line in your building, it’s time to speak to a lawyer with experience in tenant rights violation cases.
The lawyers of Normandie are ready to fight for you and the compensation you deserve if you suffered damages due to your apartment owner’s failure to repair a broken sewer line. We don’t just help new claimants, by the way; we provide free second opinion consultations to those with existing lawsuits. No matter how far along you are with your case, you never pay upfront when you choose our law firm. We have a Zero Fee Guarantee in place to ensure that all legal fees are covered by the defendant as a part of your settlement. And if we don’t succeed in winning your case, you pay $0 towards the cost of legal fees.
Please contact our office to discuss your rights and legal options with a landlord-tenant dispute lawyer.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Can I Sue my Landlord for Failure to Provide Running Water in Apartment Building?
I was Assaulted by My Landlord – What are My Rights – Normandie
