WHO PAYS FOR CLOGGED TOILET? - Landlord Forum thread 360270

WHO PAYS FOR CLOGGED TOILET? by MARK on February 13, 2020 @18:48

I have tenants a man, wife, and 3 teenage kids that have lived in my rental house for 1 year. Yesterday, they called and asked if I would get a plumber to unclog the toilet and drain? I do not have anything in the lease after searching this site I wish I did and should have) concerning this other than tenant pays for damages and it is withheld from security deposit. I asked what they tried to flush down the drain and why I should have to pay for the plumber. They claim they did not flush anything that would clog it. I told them too much waste and toilet paper will do the trick even though waste and toilet paper is what a toilet is made for. I told them I would get a plumber but if found that something that wasn't supposed to be flushed was flushed they would have to pay the bill. they have not agreed to that yet but still want the problem fixed. I want to be fair. It is possible a root is clogging the drain (my fault) and it is possible they flushed a towel (their fault)Please advise. Thank you.

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Re: WHO PAYS FOR CLOGGED TOILET? by Garry on February 13, 2020 @20:24	[ Reply ]

Is there any reason YOU can't go over there and take a plunger and a 3 ft. long toilet auger, and unplug the toilet? It will save you $100-$200 by doing it yourself. Then leave the plunger there for the T to use the next time it gets plugged. It's more likely that one of the teenagers accidentally dropped something in the toilet and did not want to tell the parents. And if the plug pushes on thru, you will never know what plugged the toilet. No roots could be clogging the toilet unless the toilet was in the basement just a few feet away from the main sewer line. And, yes, you should charge the tenants if something was found that was not supposed to be in the toilet. Toys, clothes, women's sanitary products, any personal care products found in bathrooms, etc, all fit that bill. It may have been an accident, but if a T's child accidentally breaks a window, should YOU pay for it? I think not.

Re: WHO PAYS FOR CLOGGED TOILET?

Re: WHO PAYS FOR CLOGGED TOILET? by Daniel (CA) on March 25, 2020 @15:54	[ Reply ]

2 to 4 times a year the LL should expect to pay for roto rooter service. charge only if plumber finds misuse... tampons, Q-tips, paper towels... Have the Plumber test the smoke detectors upon visit. Have plumber test all fixtures upon visit. ( also good idea to get a smelly plumber and not the smell good ones- )