Should I ask my tenant to pay for this?

[Jeffrey Chang]

Hello.
I have a rental property that I manage.
Tenant complained of sewer smell coming from the basement so I called a plumber to come out.  The plumber found that a cap covering the sewer pipe was opened by boxes that tenant placed next to it.  Nothing was broken.  The plumber sealed the cap and charged $79 for trip fee.
Should I ask tenant to pay this bill since the problem was caused by the tenant?
Thank you.

JC

[Scott M.]

@Jeffrey Chang How sure are you the cap was on and sealed?  Have photos?  Anything to prove that was the case?  Maybe it was on but not sealed and when she moved some boxes down there it was knocked off because it wasn't sealed?

if you are not 100% sure I would not charge them 100%.  I would do the same at @Theresa suggested and do 50/50.  You will forge this, a lot of tenants won't.  Little things like this can mean a premature turnover.  Not staying 2 or 3 extra years, will just leave after 1 year is up because you charge them for things you are not 100% sure about.  $40 bucks now could cost a tenant turn.  Not saying this will happen of course but may be penny wise/pound foolish.