Leak from bathroom upstairs, tenant denies overflowing tub

[Amit B.]

Hello folks, I am the landlord for a property, and the tenants are three friends who share a single lease. Recently, I received pictures of a water leak in the kitchen ceiling, which appeared to be coming from the bathroom on the second floor. In response, I had a plumber and a water restoration company come to assess the situation.

The restoration company cut into the drywall, and the plumber thoroughly inspected all the pipes, performed a leak test, and conducted a pressure test. The results confirmed that there were no issues with the pipes. Since that one incident, there have been no further leaks, and the water has been on for three days without any additional drips. The plumber’s report indicates that the leak may have been caused by an overflowing tub or sink upstairs, but the tenant in that bedroom denies any such incident.

As a result, I now have substantial expenses for the plumber and restoration company, including drywall repairs, painting, texturing, and reinstalling electricals. I'm unsure how to handle these costs. Should I present the expenses to all three tenants and ask them to cover the charges? If so, I anticipate that the other two tenants may ask the one responsible for the bedroom above to pay for most or all of the costs, which may be financially burdensome for that tenant.

While I have the plumber’s report confirming that the pipes are fine, I do not have definitive evidence that the leak was caused by the tenant’s actions. The property has been in excellent condition since it was built two years ago, and I’ve lived there myself without experiencing any similar issues.

The lease is a standard Texas lease, and I’m seeking advice on how to approach this situation fairly. I have all the paperwork and pictures so far. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, and I would be very thankful for your help.