I'm having an issue with my local building inspector. I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to handle the situation.
Here are the details:
I've been in my house for 20 years and the sidewalk has always been cracked. The cracks are pretty superficial, and I don't think they are a danger to anyone.
My house seems to have been targeted. Every house on my street has the same issues, but no one else was tagged. I took pictures of all the other sidewalk problems in my neighborhood that seem to have been ignored. Some are much worse that mine.
It's December and I'm not going to be able to get anything fixed anytime soon.
How should I handle this? What are my rights here?
Here are the details:
- A few months back I came home to find several sections of my sidewalk were tagged with a large 'R'.
- A week later I got a letter indicating I was in violation of a local code because my sidewalk was cracked. I needed to make repairs within 60 days.
- I called dozens of contractors and no one wanted to touch the job. Most said it was simply too small to deal with. Others told me to find someone working in the area and see if they would take on the job.
- Since I couldn't get the work done in time I got a fine and had to pay $100. I went to the courthouse and paid the fine last week.
- The next day I got another letter on my door with 2 citations. One to cover the original sidewalk issue and the other one for ignoring the original citation.
- I have to appear in court again in 2 weeks to answer the violations. If I don't show up a warrant will be issued for my arrest.
I've been in my house for 20 years and the sidewalk has always been cracked. The cracks are pretty superficial, and I don't think they are a danger to anyone.
My house seems to have been targeted. Every house on my street has the same issues, but no one else was tagged. I took pictures of all the other sidewalk problems in my neighborhood that seem to have been ignored. Some are much worse that mine.
It's December and I'm not going to be able to get anything fixed anytime soon.
How should I handle this? What are my rights here?