All Forum Posts by: Joe Gemma

Hi BP Community,

I am turning over a now vacant Semi-Detached Row home in Dundalk (Baltimore County) and am dealing with a nightmare neighbor. The man next door seems to be mentally ill (lives by himself and very hostile) has trash, debris, furniture, animal feces, and stray cats all over his yard. This is accompanied by an abhorrent smell that I suspect is dead animals in his property. He has a severe cockroach infestation that has migrated over to my property along with the odors. It’s so bad that I can’t go in my property without a mask

The odors and cockroaches are my biggest problem right now so looking for any advice on what I can do here. I’ve contacted BC Police (non emergency) due to potential animal abuse due to the conditions (He has a dog that I’ve even once seen with a cockroach crawling on its back) but they said there’s not much they can do and recommended me to go to Baltimore Code Enforcement. I then opened a complaint with the county who has issued him a notice of correction (front yard junk and feces) but I’m not sure where that will go as the notice is addressed to him wife (who seems to no longer live that the property) who records list as the sole owner

Any suggestions? Thanks BP

Hey Erwin,

I came across your post here because I'm interested in doing just about the same thing to a property in Baltimore County. Wondering if you went through with this project

Thanks

Joe

An engineer called me today to clarify what needed to be done. He said that there was a leak in the old line and it had to be abandoned. To run a new line, they need to go on the opposite side of the house. He said that I am responsible for interior piping that will extend from the current meter location to the other side of the house. I will need to have this done by a licensed contra and have the job approved by Baltimore county. It still seems wrong that I’m on the hook for anything beyond my control but this is better than having to run from the street which is what I originally thought. 

 That’s what I thought. The whole situation has been a nightmare. 

That’s what they told me originally (pressure test) but then they said I didn’t need one because gas was on within past 12 months and that they would handle the new line installation. Yesterday, the designer calls and tells me it’s my responsibility to handle now. Not even sure where to begin as I don’t even know the specs of what needs to be done 

This is what I’m going to do but do you think I will get anywhere with this? I feel like there’s a good chance I’ll just get lost in the shuffle 

@Matt K.

It’s inside their house 

Not that I know of 

Hi BP Community,

I’m in the midst of a very unusual situation with Baltimore County Gas & Electric (BGE). I purchased a rowhome in Middle River on 10/25 and at the time of purchase all gas appliances were working properly. Sometime shortly after my gas main was shut off at the street (underground). They told me that the reason was due to the next door neighbor (no details provided to me) and that my property was branched on the same gas main as theirs (so basically I was collateral damage). After weeks of back and forth with BGE, I was finally assigned a ‘designer’ to lay out what needed to be done to get gas provided to my property. The designer contacted me in December and said that the original gas main would not be turned back on so BGE would need to engineer a new gas line to my property. Finally, last Monday, Jan 22, the designer contacted me stating that everything was ready to go and that they have submitted for permits to Baltimore County and that I should contact them in 2 weeks to see if it has been approved. 

Then today, the designer contacts me again and said that now, engineering has informed him that the installation of a new gas line would be my responsibility to handle. This makes no sense and is where I am looking for advice. It is my understanding that not only is it BGE’s duty to provide me the means to have heat, but also illegal for them to shut off gas in the winter months.

The whole situation has been so bizarre and I’m at a point where I’m at a loss. Hoping someone may have some advice. Not sure if going to the public service commission will do any good. 

Thanks all 

@Tom Gimer yes, I did get that. The readings look normal to me (no signs of leak). The bulk of that bill is late fees as there hasn't been a payment since 2014. The property is in Baltimore county which sources water from Baltimore City