Issue with rented property

[SharonMcovert]

I?ve recently rented the first floor of our house. I?m new to this stuff and have a tenancy issue. I?ve signed an agreement with them but there it?s not mentioned about paying the plumbing charges. The house have been rented for the past 6 months. The bathroom sinks clogged 4 times till now . Anyway I managed paying the plumber all those four times but I can?t always afford this. The tenants says that this is the issue with plumbing but I don?t think so because we were using the first floor since the past 5 years but there were no such issues. The people living here have 2 cats and a dog they use to shower them inside the bathroom. I think it would have been the cause for this frequent clogging. What shall I do ? I?ve gone through a blog ( http://www.brothersplumbing.ca/blog/unclog-drain/6-ways-unclog-drain/ ) to eliminate clogs but I don?t know whether those tips would be effective for unclogging drains containing animal hair. Please share your suggestions...

[Sue]

What did the plumber say was the cause of the sink blocking four times?

[Penguin68]

In general the landlord should clear drain/ waste-pipe blockages which are a function of inherent problems with drainage, but where these problems are caused by the tenants usage then the tenants should pay. It is important that this is made clear by the landlord at the time that a plumber is called in - and that the plumber is specifically asked to identify the cause. Pet hair blockages will undoubtedly be the responsibility of the tenant, unless the plumber can confirm that there is an inherent problem with the plumbing set-up (an inappropriately sized outlet pipe, for instance). [An issue which could be the landlord's would be the clearance of a blockage caused by a previous tenant.]

It is normally understood that landlords should make repairs which are the result of normal wear and tear etc. but such frequent blockages do not seem like that, unless for instance the drain itself has been compromised by damage (roots into drains are not uncommon for more major blockages).

Keeping internal waste pipes clear might well be considered part of a tenant's duty of care (which would include keeping the flat clean etc.) But best to discuss this up-front rather than entering into a row by employing a plumber without letting them know that problems at their door should be paid by them. You/ your agent should have a deposit from them which (in the worst case) you might call on.

[Jules-and-Boo]

you could get a plug cover which catches hairs, so they don't go down the drain.

Wondering what it says in the contract?

Best to get the plumber to say what the cause is and go from there.

[Jeremy]

Looks like a bot advertising a Canadian plumbing firm.

But anyway... tenants should take basic steps (e.g. unblocker liquid ), then call landlord/agent. If they don't fix it, move out.

[KidKruger]

basically pour some spirits of salts down a blocked sink drain and leave it for a couple of hours. It's 37% hydrochloric acid and a lot cheaper than plumbers (@ ?5 per litre on LL DIY store). Burns away anything organic, so hair/fur will be easy work. Wear gloves / goggles cos this stuff does what it says on the bottle. After a couple of hrs wash away with tap and cleans sink with gloves on.

[Loz]

KidKruger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> basically pour some spirits of salts down a

> blocked sink drain and leave it for a couple of

> hours. It's 37% hydrochloric acid and a lot

> cheaper than plumbers (@ ?5 per litre on LL DIY

> store). Burns away anything organic, so hair/fur

> will be easy work. Wear gloves / goggles cos this

> stuff does what it says on the bottle. After a

> couple of hrs wash away with tap and cleans sink

> with gloves on.

Probably OK for plastic, but I suspect it may not be too good for anything metal. And especially anything shiny and metal.