They were nice about it -- it's a small Southern city.To Simplisafe's credit, when I called to ask for a replacement for the defective unit, they sent one out right away, along with a postage-paid label for returning the old one.

Our rental agreement has a section about drains, cleaning and maintenance, which includes this line: "Tenant agrees to pay for clearing the drains of any and all stoppages except those, which a plumber who is called to clear the stoppage will attest to in writing, were caused by defective plumbing, tree roots, or a result of weather."

Somebody wanting to sue for you backing out of a bad deal or accusing you of selling them a property with defects like unknown termite damage).

Construction is one of the worst businesses to gamble in (ie profit and liability), from injury to defects to contractural disputes.

Which simply means, they warranty their product against manufacturing "defects" for xxx. 

Unless the property owner had been given notice about a defect related to the tree, or if he/she/they happened to be out there trimming the tree or something when it happened, the owner will not be found liable.

@Brock Bonnicksen It isn’t uncommon to put in a lease a clause that covers sewer drains that requires tenants to pay the cost for stoppages except for those that are caused by defective plumbing, tree roots, or acts of nature

In my state, seller must disclose material defects of actual property being sold, but not many adjacent issues.

They must turn in the signed walk through checklist within 48 hours or the house is considered free of defects.

Tenant agrees to pay for clearing the drains of any and all stoppages except those, which the plumber who is called to clear the stoppage will attest to in writing, were caused by defective plumbing, tree roots, or a result of weather.Tenant agrees to keep on hand and properly use a plunger when necessary to unclog drains and to prevent water overflow from toilet, sinks and bathtub.