Tenants clogging up sink/toilets and being a nice landlord

[Becca F.]

I have had 2 different tenants in different properties clog up the plumbing. SFH#1 that I self manage locally claimed that the garbage disposal wasn't working. The plumber checked and said it was. This was a renovated home with new disposal and appliances. I had to pay $665 for the plumber to unclog the drain. I didn't want to argue with the tenants (they're family members) so I just paid it even though they should have paid it. The lease is very specific about what can't go in the garbage disposal.

More recently SFH#2 in Indiana the main drain line was clogged. The plumber determined that "flushable wipes" and too much toilet paper causes the clog. So it's the tenant's actions that caused it. The lease doesn't specify what specific items shouldn't be flushed. I think the tenant should pay 50% of the repair cost (Total cost $449). My property manager recommended that I pay all of the cost since this tenant is excellent and doesn't complain. Thoughts?

For future leases, I’ll specify “no flushable wipes, no tampons, no sanitary products, no paper towels, no excessive amounts of toilet paper, no other items”. 

[Lorien Rollins]

I find it interesting that your property manager is advising you to pay the cost for SFH #2. As a property manager, he/she should be ensuring to provide communications, material/education to tenants on the 'cans and cannot's'. If you'd like to connect I'd be more than happy to look over your lease, but it's likely that you're protected and well in rights to charge the entire amounts back to the resident(s) ledger with invoice uploaded, photographs if applicable and any communication with the vendor who complete repairs, even in situation SFH #1 (regardless of familial status). It's never a bad idea to have things like that itemized for clarity, but most people should know wipes aren't flushable no matter the marketing on packaging. Sorry you're experiencing this!

Consider that if you build your portfolio to 10+ SFH, and you're 100% occupied; each tenant causes damage to a deemed essential component of the house, requiring professional repair each month but they're "excellent and don't complain", would you pay for the repairs, not holding them accountable? I don't know the entirety of the situation but I have encountered scenarios like this hundreds of times, where it was tenants fault, I held them accountable.. that's my two cents / food for thought :)