Do You Have Your Tenants Pay to Unclog Sewer Drain?

[Corey Schaecher]

The main sewer line in a SFR backed up and caused some standing water around the drain in the basement laundry room. No damage, but it's Memorial Day and there'll be a holiday charge for the drain company to open the line (if commercial drain cleaner doesn't work). They're hosting a Memorial Day BBQ at their house and need it fixed before it starts. Do I just pay the fee and be done with it or do I bill that back to the tenant? I have to go back and check the lease to be certain, but assume for purposes of this question that the lease is silent on the issue.

[Charlie MacPherson]

Without knowing WHY the drain is blocked, it's hard to say. 

If they were flushing golf balls down the toilet, yes.  I'd charge them for the repair.

It it were intrusion of tree roots, no.

All of that has to be tempered with what your local laws allow.

I'd say that you need to pay upfront and then make your determination.