My Responsibility?

[LSchmid]

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

I am currently renting and had a problem with one of my pipes cloggid (from the kitchen sink). The landlord called in a plumber who could not determine the problem (he subsequently replaced the garbage disposal as it was not working properly) so someone else was called to try to "roto-root" the pipes. Whatever was in the pipes finally came free and things were okay. The landlord is now telling me I have to pay the bills. Is this my responsibility?

 

[Zigner]

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

I am currently renting and had a problem with one of my pipes cloggid (from the kitchen sink). The landlord called in a plumber who could not determine the problem (he subsequently replaced the garbage disposal as it was not working properly) so someone else was called to try to "roto-root" the pipes. Whatever was in the pipes finally came free and things were okay. The landlord is now telling me I have to pay the bills. Is this my responsibility?

Your answer will depend on what the plumber says the "whatever" in the pipes actually was.

 

[Who's Liable?]

Your answer will depend on what the plumber says the "whatever" in the pipes actually was.

X2...

If the plumber can verify the "clog" was NOT caused by the tenant, than tenant would NOT be liable for the fix. However if plumber CAN verify clog was from the misuse due to tenant usage, than tenant WILL be liable.

OPs best bet is to have the plumber write a letter SPECIFICALLY stating the cause of the clog. Even if states "unknown", tenant can than use the letter to determine liability.

 

[Cvillecpm]

Kitchen clogs are usually grease or inappropriate articles being placed in the sink....pay the bill and keep items OUT of the sink and disposal.

 

[HomeGuru]

Kitchen clogs are usually grease or inappropriate articles being placed in the sink....pay the bill and keep items OUT of the sink and disposal.

**A: agreed but there are times when the tenant may have just moved in and therefore not the responsible party as to the cause of the clogs.

 

[BL]

Kitchen clogs are usually grease or inappropriate articles being placed in the sink....pay the bill and keep items OUT of the sink and disposal.

In other words don't use the sink or disposal .

And I agree , a build up could be caused by years of misuse , not the current tenant's fault.

Also rust from rusted pipes can cause issues .

To automatically tell the renter to pay the bill is bad advice.

 

[ecmst12]

It's great advice if you're a landlord and want to put as much of your costs off on your tenants as possible! Whether they deserve it or not!

 

[Who's Liable?]

It's great advice if you're a landlord and want to put as much of your costs off on your tenants as possible! Whether they deserve it or not!

X2...

There are a few of those LLs who post here regularly...

 

[HomeGuru]

X2...

There are a few of those LLs who post here regularly...

**A: hahaha, good one.

 

[Alaska landlord]

Lesson to be learned; when you run out of garbage bags, don't take it for granted that the garbage disposal unit will do. Landlord should have removed the unit, not replaced it. Tenants never take credit for plumbing problems. Yes, blame it on dust or rust particles.

 

[HomeGuru]

Lesson to be learned; when you run out of garbage bags, don't take it for granted that the garbage disposal unit will do. Landlord should have removed the unit, not replaced it. Tenants never take credit for plumbing problems. Yes, blame it on dust or rust particles.

**A: tenant has the right to the disposal so removing and not replacing is not good advice. Also, there may be a plumbing code that requires the disposal.

 

[Cvillecpm]

Pouring warm/hot vinegar down kitchen sink during the electric coffeemaker cleaning routine is an EXCELLENT way to keep pipes clear.

Running water the ENTIRE time the disposal is running is another way to clear the disposal AND the drain to run clear.

 

[LSchmid]

The plumber was never able to determine what was in the pipes - they were suddenly clear.

 

[Just Blue]

Pouring warm/hot vinegar down kitchen sink during the electric coffeemaker cleaning routine is an EXCELLENT way to keep pipes clear.

Running water the ENTIRE time the disposal is running is another way to clear the disposal AND the drain to run clear.

Agreed. Also allow the COLD water to run an extra 10 or 20 sec's after using the disposal to make sure that pipes are clear of bits of garbage.

Cleaning the disposal by putting an orange or lemon peel through will keep the sink smelling fresh. Just once a week or so...

 

[BL]

The plumber was never able to determine what was in the pipes - they were suddenly clear.

Is this my responsibility?

NO.

LL called ,LL pays.

The plumber CAN-NOT determine the damage was caused by the tenant .