Building Codes and Inspections/Replacing a pipe

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Expert: - 10/24/2011


Question
Hi:  I live in a plan of homes.  I rent but have been here for 25 years.  The construction crew doing the work do not what they are doing.  My across the street neighbor had that same problem and what they did to her lawn has to see to believe.  They tunneled around because they got the instruction wrong.  You can't see her house now.  Today they broke a major gas line which caused the evacuation of the whole street.  

My question is this:  Do I have any rights here.  The landlord has witnessed their work but they continue to work.  I am next on the list.  I feel helpless.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
I would say you need to 1) go to your city and make a complaint and 2) go to your utility company, and then 3) hire a lawyer.

I'm sorry I can't tell you more than that. I think you should have some legal rights, if only personal danger.

Sharon Toji

Building Codes and Inspections

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Sharon Toji

Expertise

I have special expertise in the subject of accessibility codes and guidelines (ADA), and most specifically in the field of signage. If you have a question that is not about the ADA or about signs, I suggest you try the following excellent site: Naffa International BCDG (Building Code Discussion Group). The website address is http://bcodes.infopop.cc/eve/ You do have to register, but it's free. You will find discussions here on all kinds of Building Code Q & A topics. You go to the forum that sounds as if it's close to your topic, check out some of the posts and see if it sounds like a fit. Then pose your question. With luck, you may get some really good answers. You can email some of the experts individually by clicking on the headings of their posts. When you ask a question, of me, or of someone on the above site, tell them your state, and maybe your city if it's a large city. That is crucial for answering code questions. Sharon Toji

Experience

I am a voting delegate to the American National Standards Institute that writes accessiblity standards used by the International Building Code and are the basis for the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). I am also a member of the Access Advisory Committee to the California State Building Standards Commission, among other positions.

Publications
Signs and the ADA (a manual I have written that is used across the country), and articles in many trade journals.

Education/Credentials
BA, Reed College Graduate work, University of Munich (Germany) and University of California, Irvine

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