Burst Pipe - Tenant used when freezing outside

[Justin Case]

My best tenant used the outside hose to clean out the garbage can when it was freezing outside at 30degrees out.

This caused the outside spigot pipe to burst that leads in the basement. (thanks for easier access)

I do not have this scenario called out specifically in my lease but I have general things regarding plumbing such as these rules

- Properly use and operate all electrical, heating, plumbing, and other fixtures and appliances supplied by Landlord, and assume all costs incurred in their repair resulting from misuse and abuse. Items such as food scraps, cotton balls, q-tips, paper towels, napkins, feminine hygiene products and diapers are not to be flushed down the toilets. Any costs incurred for the repair of toilets as a result of this will be charged to the tenant.

- Maintain the temperature of the Premises at such a level to prevent breakage of pipes or other damage to the Premises.

Would you charge your tenant the $200 it cost for the fix?

I would think a science major knows water expands and pipes burst in freezing conditions.

But I do not want to make the best tenants mad.

[Account Closed]

it doesn't sound like they were trying to do anything malicious to your property...you even said they were hosing out the garbage can..i wish i had tenants that cared enough about my property to hose out their garbage cans, but i'm lucky if they even remove them from the street and bring them back to the apartments after trash day......i think a good tenant is worth more than 200 to fix a pipe, so i'd let it slide and let them know you're don't normally do this, but they've been good to you....i always tell my tenants i'll work with them on stuff if they're good to me