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Updated over 8 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

29
Posts
11
Votes
Carl Petterson
  • Investor
  • Minneapolis, MN
11
Votes |
29
Posts

Tenant jacked up the toilet, do I charge her?

Carl Petterson
  • Investor
  • Minneapolis, MN
Posted

I have no idea how, but somehow my tenant moved her toilet half an inch. She either hit it somehow, or pushed it, or super hard plunged it, I'm not sure. But every time she flushed it, the water would rush/leak into the basement. I took a look and hired a plumber to reset it with a new wax ring and everything is ok. I thought perhaps she flushed something down the toilet but that wasn't the case. 

She's been a good tenant, pays on time, no phone calls (other than this). She's hard on the house, stickers on walls, scratches on the paint, etc. She has another year left on a two year lease. My lease provides that if she causes the damage, she is responsible for fixing it. The bill came to $200. Which is obscene to reset a toilet but it is what it is. (Anyone know of a more reasonable plumber in Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota??) 

My question is, is this something I should ask her to pay because she was the one that moved the toilet? Or do I suck it up because she's been a good tenant and this is part of doing business? Do I tell her that I could charge her, but decided not to? 

Thanks for the advice.

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

950
Posts
603
Votes
James DeRoest
  • Investor
  • Century, FL
603
Votes |
950
Posts
James DeRoest
  • Investor
  • Century, FL
Replied

My personal feeling is that if a tenant can move a toilet, the it wasn't screwed down properly. The only time I've seen movement in a toilet is when it's coming loose.

As for why you're all paying $200 for a plumber - don't any of you have a handyman on speed dial? 20-30 minute job max and a $3 wax ring.

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