Real Estate Professional · Tampa, FL · Member since 2017 · 104 posts · 47 votes
Hi BP members, My sis lives in a rental in Novi Michigan and the apartment she rents has flooded the 2nd time now. Is there anything that she can do like complain with someone or the City ? She has a 3 year old kid and has a 2 months old baby..this water situation definitely cant be healthy for any of them . Is there anyone she can complain with so that this does not happen again?
I'd probably start with the PMC or whomever her primary contact is. Hard to say what anyone could offer without knowing what the issue is and why it's flooding.
I'd probably start with the PMC or whomever her primary contact is. Hard to say what anyone could offer without knowing what the issue is and why it's flooding.
Rental Property Investor · NC · Member since 2018 · 776 posts · 776 votes
7y
She needs to contact the property manager. They will fix it if the flooding is as severe as you make it sound. There are a whole bunch of laws regarding the habitability of a property that protects the tenant. Needs to be a safe and healthy environment. Usually, they tenant can pay rent into an escrow account of some sort until they repair the problem. I would not withhold rent or the landlord can begin the eviction process. Look up the state laws for the residence.
If the place is not adequate she should move for the sake of her child. She should not be placing her health or that of her child at risk wasting time trying to solve a problem that is not her fault. It is not logical for her to stay there. She has grounds to break her lease.
OH (ohio) · Member since 2016 · 63 posts · 43 votes
7y
@Krishnan T. If it’s flooding from natural disaster, there’s no recourse per say. The property manager can’t stop the river from flooding. That’s the risk she took renting in a flood zone.
Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, MN · Member since 2017 · 518 posts · 354 votes
7y
If I were her I'd just move. My finished basement just flooded for the 3rd time in the 3 years we've lived here. It floods because we get enormous amounts of rain all at one time. Plus this time it got warm quickly and melted feet of snow in a couple of days. Nature at its best. For me it's extra space and we clean it up, but if we actually had to live in the basement I'd move. I guess my answer is to move. Doesn't really matter why it happens. It's either a bad basement or a flood prone area. If it's unlivable she can get out of her lease.
Real Estate Professional · Tampa, FL · Member since 2017 · 104 posts · 47 votes
7y
@Jennifer Rysdam I got more details since the posting, it was a pipe that burst above her apt, she says the management took care of it last time and it seems to have happened again this time.
Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, MN · Member since 2017 · 518 posts · 354 votes
7y
Her renter's insurance should help her out if her stuff was ruined or she needs to move because of the mess. Hopefully the landlord will take care of it.