Tenant Responsible for Sewer Pipe?

[Mark S.]

I have a family member that asked me about an issue he's having with his current landlord. I told him I'd ask the community to see what everyone thinks. He and his family are currently renting in Colorado. They've been in the same single family house for the past 4-5 years. There have been some issues with the sewer line or sewer pipe going from the house to the street. In the newest lease, the landlord is attempting to make him responsible for any repairs needed that have to do with this pipe. He got an estimate from a plummer that said it would be $12-$15K to fix this issue, having to dig way into the ground, etc. I told him that my best guess is that this is NOT something he should be responsible for. I believe this one is on the landlord. What do you guys think?

[Tony Reale]

Almost certainly owners responsibility. Having a plumbing background and doing this many times for landlords, he would have to prove a history of the tenants neglect. Many times I have gone to a rental to clean a drain for a landlord and he is sitting there watching and waiting for me to pull the snake out to see what caused the blockage. If it's roots or old pipes, they ask me to bill them. If it's toys, rags, or other things that shouldn't be in a drain line I am asked to bill the tenant. I usually bill the landlord anyway and let him go after the tenant for the simple fact that I didn't do business that way. I usually billed whoever calls me unless all parties are in agreement in front of me.