Blocked toilet - landlord or tenant responsible?

[LyraSilvertongue]

I've just had a row with my tenant over a toilet that's got blocked in the house I rent out.

They called asking for an emergency plumber to be sent out immediately. When I suggested that it was the kind of problem they could reasonably be expected to sort out themselves using a plunger or drain unblocker fluid, the husband got very aggressive, telling me I will get no rent and to get someone round NOW, before hanging up on me.

They have been good tenants so far in that they have always paid their rent on time, but the second anything goes wrong they call me and expect me to send round an expensive tradesman immediately. I have done so when the problem was the boiler and there was a leak in the roof, both of which I obviously had repaired as soon as possible. But the blocked toilet strikes me as their problem as it's been blocked by something they (or their child) has put down it. The toilet was installed about a year ago so I doubt it's developed a fault yet.

So who's right, me or them?

[LyraSilvertongue]

Thing is, I was all set to go down the reasonable route, find a plumber, find out what the cause is, if it's something they've shoved down there, they pay, if it's a real drain issue, we pay. But then he started getting abusive and aggressive and demanding and hanging up on me, so my attitude became 'fuck you'.
So fed up with this now. The sooner we sell, the better.

[starfishmummy]

I rang the managing agents when I had a blocked loo (I was new to the area and didn't know any plumbers) - they sorted out a plumber and I didn't get a bill.

I think the agents would have told me or charged me if it was my responsibility rather than the main drain.

[expatinscotland]

Well, I wouldn't have been rude or aggressive.

We've always tried to sort it out ourselves.

In this instance, as the sink and bath were blocking up, too, we went out and checked the external drain holes. Yep! All blocked.

Every time it rained really hard.

Rang plumber, first thing after seeing it was go outside and look at the drains.

[LyraSilvertongue]

The bath and sinks are all fine, which leads me to believe that it's a blockage in the loo itself.

[WimpleOfTheBallet]

You assume the blockage is in the loo...you need to get the facts before deciding the net course of action. To protect yourself andyour tenants.

[freshmint]

Lyra - get a plumber out, fix the loo and give them notice if thats what you want to do.

The last thing you want is pissed off tenants moving out and leaving it in a state. £70 now might save you a lot more later.

I can see the guy is an arsehole and has pissed you off, but honestly dragging this out is only going to make him worse

[LyraSilvertongue]

I know you're right freshmint, that was my initial course of action, after getting them to at least attempt to unblock it themselves. Better that it's my plumber who tells me what the cause is, so I can get them to pay for it if necessary.

But the rows with the arsehole tonight have left me so
Maybe I'll have a better perspective in the morning.

[freshmint]

I bet you are furious, I'm not surprised.
But it isn't worth starting a war over. Sleep well!

[LyraSilvertongue]

Thanks

[CointreauVersial]

OP, when our drains blocked it only affected the loo at first. Only after things had really backed up (and it rained) did the basin stop draining. You really need a plumber to confirm before you make assumptions that it's not the drains.

Having a blocked loo can be pretty stressful (I assume they have another to use?), so maybe it's understandable that your conversation with the tenant got a bit heated. Hope you get things sorted anyway!

[scaryteacher]

My tenants blocked the brand new loo; and wanted me to pay. Turned out he'd a big dump and used the small flush as opposed to the big flush (ifswim) and it got jammed. He claimed not to know which flush he should have used and he was a surveyor! He paid. We rent a married quarter and I'd be too embarrassed to ask my l/l to have the loo unblocked if I'd done that!

[Wauden]

Buy a really good plunger and leave it there. You can get one that has a rubber fixture for sinks and another one for WCs. It works for me. Show them how to do it. And remind them what does not go down the WC.

[BoredOfWaiting]

I would say a blocked toilet is the responsibility of the tenant unless it's so bad they need a plumber (after attempting to unblock it themselves). If they need a plumber they should run it by you first and if they caused the blockage they should pay to have it unblocked.

[Thisjustinno]

The thread is 5 years old so I'd imagine it's sorted by now.

[HackAttack]

Any update on what the cause was?

[Sackerman]

This type of thinking is preposterous. There is no way to necessarily determine where the blockage is in a toilet unless you run a camera into the drain. ( which is an added expense). Also sometimes blockage can be pushed to the main/ or “ outside” of the home while the drain is being angered. Toilets do not plug themselves, occupants of the property/ tenants plug toilets! Bottom line

[bumblingbovine49]

As landlord you need to sort it out as it might affect the property and it might not be anything they have done BUT before calling a plumber make it clear to them that if the plumber finds it is as a result of something they have done,they will get an invoice from you. Then ask them if they still want you to deal with it

If it turns out to be there fault, invoice them as agreed. Give them some time but if If they don't pay it, let them know (in writing) that it will come out of their deposit when they leave

Once you make this all clear you may find they will try and sort it out first or get a plumber themselves

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I hope after 6 and half years the toilet is unblocked.
ZOOMBIE THREAD

[Spickle]

Old Thread!

[Spickle]

Sorry, crossed post!

[SnorkFavour]

WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP BUMPING ZOMBIES

Because they're interested and would like an update maybe?