Adding Drain to lease? - Landlord Forum thread 334015

Adding Drain to lease? by jannie (IL) on April 23, 2015 @09:18

My Tenant is MTM. She called to say the drain was plugged (from kitchen sink into sewer line). The only part that is plugged is the part that goes from the sewer line to kitchen sink. She is able to use the bathroom, shower, sink, toilet all those go into another sewer line and out. Kitchen sewer line goes over into the main one.

I think she has caused the problem because she washes her hair daily (not using any strainer to catch the hair) Has two small,hairy dogs which she may/may not bathe in the sink.
Plumber has been back twice trying to get it to drain. He pulled hair from the line.
a. I don't plan to charge her this time as there isn't anything in the lease. However
... I'm thinking about adding maintenance of drains as part of tenant responsibility. Thoughts?

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Re: Adding Drain to lease? by MrDan (Georgia) on April 23, 2015 @10:02	[ Reply ]

Jannie, we started putting these sink drain screens in several years and have great results in eliminating such problems. Check out 'Semper Screen'; http://www.semperscreen.com/

Re: Adding Drain to lease?

Re: Adding Drain to lease? by Katiekate (New York) on April 23, 2015 @10:17	[ Reply ]

I have the following paragraph in my leases: Tenant agrees that all drains are open and flowing freely at the time of signing this lease. _______(tenant initials). Tenant agrees to maintain all drains open and flowing freely at tenants expense should a drain become clogged ________(tenant initials). Tenant agrees to return the unit at the end of the tenancy with all drains open and flowing freely. _______(tenant initials).

Re: Adding Drain to lease? by Anonymous on April 23, 2015 @10:21	[ Reply ]

I have a clause in my lease similar to the one Katiekate posted. I also have the tenant's go to every sink, toilet & tub and run the water to check each drain before they initial the clause. That emphasizes it firmly in their mind that they are responsible for clogs. I occasionally have a new tenant question the clause, and I explain that if the drains are flowing freely when they move in, they can only be clogged by something the tenants puts in them. That usually resolves any questions. I let the tenant know they are still required to call me for the plumbing service, but they will be prepared to pay the bill at the time of service or when I invoice it to them.

Re: Adding Drain to lease?

Re: Adding Drain to lease? by P-Bone (NY and OH) on April 24, 2015 @10:58	[ Reply ]

I'll normally cover the first snaking of the drains for really good tenants, after that, if it can be attributed to a single unit a second time around, they would be responsible.

Re: Adding Drain to lease?

Re: Adding Drain to lease? by Jack Klein (NY) on April 25, 2015 @19:36	[ Reply ]

LPA Lease has Plumbing Stoppage Clause Tenant's responsibility. Other than recommending plumber or sewer clean co., this hasn't been an issue for me in many years.

Re: Adding Drain to lease? by anon on April 25, 2015 @23:59	[ Reply ]

Good idea.