Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 9:19 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Frank [NJ]) Jan 9, 2020 9:29 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Laura [MD]) Jan 9, 2020 9:32 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 9:38 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Frank [NJ]) Jan 9, 2020 9:42 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 9:42 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Laura [MD]) Jan 9, 2020 9:52 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Richard [MI]) Jan 9, 2020 9:54 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Steve [MA]) Jan 9, 2020 9:55 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by fred [CA]) Jan 9, 2020 10:07 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 10:11 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by AllyM [NJ]) Jan 9, 2020 10:15 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 10:22 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by RR78 [VA]) Jan 9, 2020 10:25 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by MikeA [TX]) Jan 9, 2020 10:41 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Laura [MD]) Jan 9, 2020 10:42 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by small potatoes [NY]) Jan 9, 2020 10:43 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by R [FL]) Jan 9, 2020 10:44 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 10:55 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Steve [MA]) Jan 9, 2020 11:20 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by RB [MI]) Jan 9, 2020 11:21 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 11:24 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 9, 2020 11:32 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Moshe [CA]) Jan 9, 2020 12:00 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by plenty [MO]) Jan 9, 2020 12:45 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by Robert J [CA]) Jan 9, 2020 1:46 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by Busy [WI]) Jan 9, 2020 2:00 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by tryan [MA]) Jan 9, 2020 2:49 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by tryan [MA]) Jan 9, 2020 2:53 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by Susan [OH]) Jan 9, 2020 6:29 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by RB [MI]) Jan 9, 2020 10:05 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by DJ [VA]) Jan 9, 2020 10:17 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by LisaFL [FL]) Jan 10, 2020 9:07 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Blue [IL]) Jan 10, 2020 9:08 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by WL [CA]) Jan 10, 2020 9:10 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Jan 10, 2020 9:25 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Blue [IL]) Jan 10, 2020 10:10 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by LisaFL [FL]) Jan 10, 2020 12:23 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by Lana [IN]) Jan 10, 2020 11:05 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by RentsDue [MA]) Jan 11, 2020 7:13 PM
Who pays the plumber? (by Tarheel T [NC]) Jan 13, 2020 7:22 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by plenty [MO]) Jan 13, 2020 11:03 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Jerry [NC]) Jan 14, 2020 10:56 AM
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:19 AM Message:
Assume you have a PITA tenant and she calls you saying her toilet is clogged. She expects you to call a plumber and pay for the service call even though it is obvious she has flushed something she should not have. She claims that just because I own the house, it is my obligation to pay the plumber here.
How would you handle this situation? --68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Frank [NJ]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:29 AM Message:
I would tell them that if the log is clogged with roots or other unknowables it's on me. If found to be from misuse o a toy bottle or the like it's on them. Should the not pay then thecomes off the next months rent, and they will bein arrears ofcourse your lease has that language. --174.225.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Laura [MD]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:32 AM Message:
This should be addressed in your lease. i would send her a copy of the section of the lease that addresses this.... --108.56.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:38 AM Message:
Frank,
In many situations, once a plumber snakes a drain and the clog releases and pushes on through, the actual cause of that clog may never be known.
--68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Frank [NJ]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:42 AM Message:
True. So...follow your lease if this issue is addressed. If not sounds like it's on you. --174.225.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:42 AM Message:
Laura,
This is a PITA tenant who could care less about what is written in the lease. She has a clogged toilet, she is demanding I call the plumber and pay for it. I told her I would call the plumber but she is paying the plumber. The war of words has just begun.
--68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Laura [MD]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:52 AM Message:
She might not care about what he lease says but you should. Cal the plumber, pay for it, then take her to court for the cost. That is the only way she will ever care about the lease.
As long as she can argue with you and you engage why worry about what the lease says. --108.56.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Richard [MI]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:54 AM Message:
Eviction imminent.
I despise PITA tenants. --23.121.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 9:55 AM Message:
Either myself or my handyman would normally try to take care of this ourselves. In the event it was something beyond our availability or our ability I'd have a drain company come handle it. No matter who caused the problem I would pay my helper or the drain company then depending upon who or what caused the problem I might bill the tenant. If I couldn't determine (very common in a multi family) who or what the actual cause was I would pay it. In a multi family building it's much harder to determine who is at fault.
If the tenant didn't pay the bill for this before the next rent cycle, I would just (as allowed in our rental agreement) deduct it from their next rent payment.
--71.174.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by fred [CA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:07 AM Message:
Roy, what does your rental agreement say?
Mine says: I take care of drains in the first 30 days of a new tenancy, but after 30 days the tenant has to pay.
Two exceptions: roots and broken line. --99.59.x.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:11 AM Message:
Steve,
Since day one, I have always hired professional plumbers to solve whatever plumbing problems my tenants had in the first 30 days of occupancy. This tenant has been there for over a year and her toilet has worked flawlessly since she moved in. Now, she has flushed too much toilet paper down and it is clogged. The argument here is very simple,...who pays the plumber to unclog her toilet? And who pays the plumber (again) the next time she flushes too much paper (or whatever) down.
--68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:15 AM Message:
Unfortunately after years there and no problem with flushing and now there is one, I would say that this one is on you. If this is one of your rooming houses, someone else may have flushed something. I had a similar issue last year when my tenants had company over a holiday and then the toilet would not flush properly. It was solved when I came over with the plunger made for toilets with the round bulb. If you have one of those maybe you could go over and try it because probably she does not have that kind or any plunger at all. I give everyone the correct plunger for toilets. --173.61.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:22 AM Message:
I wish you all would quit asking me what my lease says about this issue. My tenant here is a Class D drama queen (the worst kind) and she lives in her own reality. She could care less about a piece of paper that she never read and just signed it so she could live in the best looking house on the block.
I will admit that I made a mistake in renting to this tenant.
--68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:25 AM Message:
I have it in my lease for just 30 days so I am covered either way.
But I always go out of my way to be fair and this can be a tricky one.
No question when I know it has newer PVC pipes and no trees around. If not are you actually giving the tenant a partial blocked line equal to a 2" when you should a 3 or 4" line.
Most of our older ones we have upgraded to PVC so no question.
Otherwise do you spend the $ for the additional camera service. To first have the clogg identified and pipe inspected. To prove what the problem was?
So far we have never had a problem or argument from a tenant to pay. --73.152.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by MikeA [TX]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:41 AM Message:
Me, I call the plumber and pay him. I don't want some hack that the tenant may know doing who knows what to the plumbing. I also want to keep my plumber happy so I pay him and then collect from the tenant. If she doesn't pay then you may be able to get rid of her sooner than later. --50.26.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Laura [MD]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:42 AM Message:
Roy we can't stop talking about the lease, because that is where the answer is housed. C, D F tenants the lease still matters, unless you allow it to not. --108.56.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:43 AM Message:
I think you will wind up paying for it. It can be hard to determine what the clog was. Say it is too much TP. TP is not a prohibited flush item, but baby wipes are. Just say it is now clear and if it happens again it's on you OR say nothing and move to terminate.
Also step back and think wwyd if this was not a pita tenant?
--24.194.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by R [FL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:44 AM Message:
I just had a similar problem last month. A tenant texted me said she tried everything but the toilet still clogged. I have a regular plumber company working with me (with service contract, for 24/7 no additional charge and discount fee every service), they will go fix the problem, take pictures, and give a report for the reason of the clogged toilet. I advised her to call this plumber company and told her the discount. The problem was several baby wipers, and took the guy 2 minutes to fish out the wipers. They charged her minimum service fee (and she leaned lesson). He also taught her right plunger to use, said if she used the right plunger (toilet plunger) might unclogged it by herself. --128.186.xxx.x |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:55 AM Message:
Small Potatoes,
Good question,...'what would I do if this was not a PITA tenant'?
A non-PITA tenant would most likely take responsibility for their own actions which means they would admit they flushed something they should not have and would ask for recommendations for a plumber which they would agree to pay for.
--68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 11:20 AM Message:
Roy, with the added info IMO she should pay. The only exception would be if you had the drain line scoped & roots/ cracked pipe or a dip were found.
I found that the best cure for PITA tenants was to raise the rent & keep raising the rent until either the money was worth the aggravation or they moved. --71.174.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 11:21 AM Message:
Sounds like (another) Rocket Science question. --184.53.x.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 11:24 AM Message:
6 months ago, while posting a P/Q notice on this tenant, I noticed a broken window. I asked the PITA tenant about it and she said her kid broke it and she would pay to get it fixed. That window has not been fixed and is still broken.
I told my tenant your toilet problem is no different than the broken window. You broke it, you pay to get it fixed, it is that simple. --68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 11:32 AM Message:
Steve,
If this tenant had called and said 'sewage was backing up in the bath-tub',...I would have had my plumber there that day and I would pick up the tab without question. This is not the case here. Too much of something was flushed and got stuck. In time, this problem will solve itself once everything has time to soften-up and move on down the line. --68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Moshe [CA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 12:00 PM Message:
CA law says that dwelling in untenantable (uninhabitable) unless it has "Plumbing or gas facilities that conformed to applicable law in effect at the time of installation, maintained in good working order."
CA law also says that "The lessor of a building intended for the occupation of human beings must ... put it into a condition fit for such occupation, and repair all subsequent dilapidations thereof, which render it untenantable."
Such laws are common in all modern states.
But CA law also allows such things as a plumbing stoppage to be delegated to the tenant BUT YOU NEED THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY TO DRAFT SUCH DELEGATION.
--47.139.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 12:45 PM Message:
Fix. Pay. End lease at first opportunity. It is your house. If you feel better say thr plumber is coming and reschedule a few times. Maybe it will start working. Water all over rge floor is not good and you know that is next. This is relationships will not get any better. For now protect your investment and for soon end lease. Exit! --99.203.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 1:46 PM Message:
I am a licensed plumbing contractor that has run into this problem hundreds of times, as an owner and contractor for other landlords. I have also been used to make a determination for cases under review by HOA and other leading authorities.
Many times a new tenant who's never lived in an "older" property with "drain restrictions" will cause a back-up. Unless the OWNER has given the TENANT specific instructions and the tenant agreed to these issues prior to a tenancy, then the First or even the Second time there's a back up, then the owner need to pay the cost of the plumber.
Children flush down toys into drain lines causing serious back-ups. Guest often flush down tampons, thick non-flush-able wipes Which can cause a back up.
In a court case where a tenant was being evicted for causing a major sewer back-up in a Westwood apartment complex, I was hired by the court to give my "professional" opinion. The facts were the tenant did flush down the toilet "Flush-able Wipes". The landlord never warned the tenant not to flush down the toilet anything except "toilet paper". I used my sewer camera and video'ed the entire sewer line from the tenants toilet flange to the city sewer tie in location. The results were the landlord had many tree's and scrubs on the property's front lawn. Roots were a common problem. So much so the landlord had a clean-out installed in the front of the building close to the problem. A 30 foot section of drain pipe was the original clay pipe with leaking seams attracting root infestation into the pipe.
Findings: The owner failed to warn the tenant. The owner failed to maintain their sewer line. They could have replaced the line or had a routine maintenance program that used sewer foam to kill the roots every 1 to 2 years. The owners cost to foam the line every two years would have been around $100, or $50 a a year. Instead the owner contacted a retail snaking company that charged them $495 for every main ewer line snaking. Even though the tenant did use wipes, the packaging said they were flush-able.
So the end result is how the Landlord informs a tenant and can document it (in writing) and how the landlord maintains their sewer line. In the case of blockages, an owner must fix the blockage, then deal with "who's going to pay for what"! --47.156.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 2:00 PM Message:
Fix window, clear drains. Bill tenant for window repair, though keep it reasonable. Class C, D rentals attract tenants who aren’t as up on best practices for effectively living.
We don’t categorize tenants in classes, only properties.
Not cool to have disdain for ones’ customers. --172.58.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by tryan [MA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 2:49 PM Message:
Renting in the hood has taught me to pick my battles ... when I had alot of units a toilet auger was a permanent fixture in my vehicle.
I have also PURCHASED toilet snakes for the tenants. Even trained them how to use them! It's a life skill in the hood!
With a little time you can make a friend rather than enemy out of this. --24.218.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by tryan [MA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 2:53 PM Message:
... bottom line is these people will dime you out to the city's inspector rather than part with a weeks budget for smokes ...
Right or rich? --24.218.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Susan [OH]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 6:29 PM Message:
Not meaning to pick on you, Roy, but after YEARS as a landlord, you still have to ask a question like this? --76.189.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:05 PM Message:
Right on, Susan.
Mind boggling.
--184.53.x.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by DJ [VA]) Posted on: Jan 9, 2020 10:17 PM Message:
Why do you have a lease if you don't want to refer to it or enforce it?
Just wasted paper & ink. --68.10.xxx.x |
Who pays the plumber? (by LisaFL [FL]) Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 9:07 AM Message:
My lease makes tenants responsible for plumbing clogs caused by anything other than roots or the failure of the system. They still must call me so I can call my plumber.
If he determines it was roots or some other failure not due to improper use then I cover it. If caused by feminine products, wipes or other such items the tenant pays him directly or reimburses me.
Any tenant who acted like the one you described would not last long with me.
It is important to know if your lease is clear on who is responsible for clogs. If she is responsible it doesn't matter if she read the lease or not-you can still enforce it. I would get the window fixed and not make her responsible for it and then bill her. If she won't pay- get rid of her.
I have one tenant like this. I just raised their rent $100 a month because I was tired of the BS. I'd rather they just moved but I didn't have the heart to terminate them so as someone hear said at least I made it a bit more worth my time and the tenant's attitude improved so maybe they got the hint. --216.186.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Blue [IL]) Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 9:08 AM Message:
War of words only happens if you allow it.
"Per your lease, you are responsible for plumbing stoppages after your first 30 days. Here is the plumber I suggest. If you don't have the money right now I will pay for it and you can include payment of $X per month for the next months."
DONE
And I agree, why have a lease if it means nothing to either of you.
--66.128.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by WL [CA]) Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 9:10 AM Message:
Having similar drain problems with a tenant. Warned her not to flush any paper or wipes down the drain. Just bought a sewer scope 33 ft on Amazon for $95. Scope the line, take a photo of the "flushable wipe", then bill tenant and attach photo. --174.65.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 9:25 AM Message:
Lisa (FL)
Six months ago, I tried to use my lease to enforce the broken window. She agreed to call a glass company and pay for the service call. That was not done since she did not think the broken window was an emergency. As far as I am concerned, if she wants to live with a hole the size of baseball in a window, that is her choice. I am not going to file for eviction over a broken window. Again, I have tried to use my lease with this PITA tenant and it puts me in a position of "Am I going to evict this tenant over this issue?" From my point of view, a lease is only good if both parties are willing to abide by the terms of it. --68.63.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Blue [IL]) Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 10:10 AM Message:
You don't have to evict her. In IL you can give 10 days to cure. This is for things like your broken window. I have used it for leaving bagged trash out, high grass, etc. Things that if they don't take care of *I* will get the code enforcement letter.
Does AL have something similar?
When I use this, I quote the lease provision and what I can do if the issue is not resolve, which includes eviction.
In the case of high grass, I told them if it is not done I will pay for it at a cost of C (iusually 3times what it would cost) and tell them it will be due with their next rent cycle.
--66.128.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by LisaFL [FL]) Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 12:23 PM Message:
Roy you are giving up control to this tenant by not enforcing your lease. Give her a deadline to fix the window. If she doesn't serve her with a 14 day notice to correct the violation or she will be evicted.
You have tools at your disposal but you have to be willing to follow through and use them. Otherwise you will continue to get more of what you are allowing. --216.186.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Lana [IN]) Posted on: Jan 10, 2020 11:05 PM Message:
My Lease states I do cleanout for first occurrence and first 30 days. Tenant pays if we get an obvious clog due to a no no in drain. After that, it's up to the tenant unless it's tree roots or a broken line. --216.23.xxx.xx |
Who pays the plumber? (by RentsDue [MA]) Posted on: Jan 11, 2020 7:13 PM Message:
The tenant will definitely pay for it, just indirectly. This is why I only do MTM. I would have my plumber go out and fix it, no drama - no war of words. Next month she would get her rent increase of $100.00 per month. Plumber just cost her $1200.00 a year. If she doesn’t like it she will leave. It is not retaliation when a unit is costing more to operate because of excessive expenses. No different than if my taxes or insurance went up and I raised it for that. --71.10.xxx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Tarheel T [NC]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2020 7:22 AM Message:
These pita tenants are usually broke so i pay to repair their damages and bill them. as rent. sometimes it requires a payment plan. sometimes a 10 day notice. In this case it is clear to me that she caused the stoppage, no question really. I just hate this type of entitled tenant. Ive got a few of them. --99.203.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2020 11:03 AM Message:
I agree Roy... this is not something to evict over. We have similar situation right now with a window at a rental home. Howver once you start down the road of giving written notices that is exactly the path ahead. So i am like you at this cross road as i want it fixed but what is it really costing me? So how have you proceeded? --99.203.xx.xxx |
Who pays the plumber? (by Jerry [NC]) Posted on: Jan 14, 2020 10:56 AM Message:
Looks like:
Class D Tenant
Class D Property
Class D Landlord! --99.150.xxx.xxx |
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