Common Baltimore City Alley Causing Flooding

[bobbyfedhill]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Baltimore Maryland

Hello -

Not sure if I'm posting in the correct location so please let me know if I'm not. I live in Baltimore City and after the recent hurricane, I now have a high amount of water damage in my basement. It came to my attention that the previous owner had put a base of hydraulic cement around the foundation of my house which cracked and the water came through the foundation and into the house. The problem is that I am an end unit with a public alley where the water runs down and into the the street. They poorly constructed this alley and the water runs right into my foundation and also down into the basement door which has steps up. Do I have any legal right for the city/state to fix my water damage? I don't know if it matters of not, but I do pay $120 for ground rent yearly. The alley is damaged which prevents the water from running straight into the street. Instead, it rests at the base of my house and slowly leaks in. I have ripped up the old hydraulic concrete and put new stuff down and it still leaks. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[vfielder]

If the water damage accured after the hurricane and not before...the only real avenue is to contact your home owners insurance for your property damage and the city for the alley repair. Hurricane's are considered acts of god and it's hard blaming other factors after the fact.

[bobbyfedhill]

If the water damage accured after the hurricane and not before...the only real avenue is to contact your home owners insurance for your property damage and the city for the alley repair. Hurricane's are considered acts of god and it's hard blaming other factors after the fact.

It leaked before as well but was easy to manage. Now that time has passed, the leaking is getting worse. I have complained to my city that the alley needs to be repaired which they will be doing by 2/10 but I still have damage to my walls.

[A Miss]

You obviously have damaged, as the water damage is going to cause mildew. The problem is,your insurance may not cover flood damage. You usually have to have a separate policy for that. The sad thing is, you don't usually find that out until after you've suffered a flood.