Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Indiana

Court Order given to pay no rent till well problem taken care of!

My husband and i have rented our house since July, 27th, 2005. We were taken to court for not paying rent do to well being bad. My husband and i were ordered to pay NO rent or any back rent untill our well was fixed. They drilled our new well on Thursday Apr.6th and it was all hooked up and being clorinated on that following monday,Apr.10th. We were told that we had to have water test done to make sure the water was ok for my family to drink. Our landlords told us we did not need any tests to be done. Well Since they put our new well in, my whole family has been sick with vomiting and fever and everything else and they are getting better, but i stopped them from drinking the water. I called the health department and they told me that it is mandatory that a bacteria test be done on the water to make sure it is safe. So, they came out yesturday,--name removed--13th and took the sample. i do not know yet if the water is why they are sick, or not, but my main question to all of this is when would i be required to start back up on paying rent. Would it be after i get the results back on the water, or the day they put in the new well? Please comment me back

Thank you So much for your time


Asked on 4/14/06, 2:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Voyle A. Glover Attorney at Law

Re: Court Order given to pay no rent till well problem taken care of!

The most important thing here is not the date you begin paying rent. It is whether the water is safe or not. Do not drink the water until you have confirmed that it is safe. And if you find it is not safe, immediately go see a lawyer and a doctor,. Immediately. You do not know what contamination may have done to you and your family. There are some very important things that need to be done here and whatever you do, don't try and play lawyer or doctor. What if the contamination is such that it may cause permanent damage, or give cancer? You need to take a close look at all of this and be more concerned about this than the rent issue.

I'd tell the landlord you're going to wait for the results of the test before you pay him any rent. Do not talk about lawsuits or any such matters. Be polite, but firm. And do consult with an attorney in your area immediately. There are lawyers out there who will look at your case for a minimum fee and if they decide you have a case, may charge you nothing "up front" but take the case on a contingency fee (no fees unless they win). But that's going to depend on the well water condition.

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Answered on 4/15/06, 10:42 am


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