Annoyed at Landlord

WolfSong2000

I want to start by saying that for the most part I get on really, really well with my landlord. He's a great guy, has been beyond helpful when things have gone wrong, etc.

As it stands, I share the house I live in with a friend (we're both women). Before we moved in, a family was living here (we moved in beginning of October this year). Almost 3 weeks ago now, I had to leave for 2 weeks for a trip. Just before I left I noticed the downstairs bathroom playing up. Assumed there was a small blockage, so asked housemate to get hold of a plunger and sort it while I was away.

Anyhow, when I came back, I got a lecture from the landlord - apparently it wasn't a small blockage, it was a pretty big one caused by tampons, condomd, etc, being flushed down the toilet. He blamed me for this and said if it happens again I will be charged. The problem I have is that it's not my fault, nor my housemates. I tried to explain this to him when he semi-jokingly told me to put out my hand so he could slap it. I refused pointing out that I had not flushed anything untoward down the toilet, and I doubted my housemate had either (I confirmed this with her in a later conversation).

I feel bad that he had to deal with the blockage, but have no way of proving to him that it wasn't my fault. He'd asked if we'd had any guests round (guess this is where the condom thing came in. lol) and I said no, but I doubt he believed me. I don't know if the sewage system is shared with other houses that could have done this, or if it's the fault of the previous tenants, but it really got to me. Especially as he's now gone round and put signs up in the bathroom about it.

I don't know what I'm expecting here...I guess asking if there would be a way to find out whether the sewage system is shared, so we cannot be blamed again in future? I think it's just getting to me because in every other way things have been great. The landlord has been really, really helpful with all other teething problems, including heating issues, and took our side when the electrician tried to blame us for the heating issues, so the fact he doesn't believe me now is upsetting.

Jowo_2

Some properties do share drains.

However, it's not clear from your post where exactly the blockage was found - within the toilet itself, the waste pipe or an external drain.

BitterAndTwisted

Once someone has made up their mind it's difficult to impossible to make them change it. Your landlord has dealt with the blockage and has not charged you for it, therefore if you don't put things down the loo which do not belong there you should have no further problems. I'd try and put this behind you and not feel like you're being treated like a liar. By far the worst culprits for causing blockages are those lavatory-wipes/baby-wipes thingys so avoid flushing those at all costs.

Planner

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

Especially as he's now gone round and put signs up in the bathroom about it.

Remove the signs from YOUR bathrooms and flush them down the toilet. Other than that satisfaction I suggest you simply move on and stop worrying about it.

clutton_2

dont flush them down the toilet you may cause anohter blockage


with regard to original discovery of blockage why did you not call the landlord immediately ? that way there would have been much less time in which he cou ld have blamed you for it....

Planner

clutton wrote: »

dont flush them down the toilet you may cause anohter blockage

I obviously forgot my audience :kisses3:

prosaver

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

I want to start by saying that for the most part I get on really, really well with my landlord. He's a great guy, has been beyond helpful when things have gone wrong, etc.

As it stands, I share the house I live in with a friend (we're both women). Before we moved in, a family was living here (we moved in beginning of October this year). Almost 3 weeks ago now, I had to leave for 2 weeks for a trip. Just before I left I noticed the downstairs bathroom playing up. Assumed there was a small blockage, so asked housemate to get hold of a plunger and sort it while I was away.

Anyhow, when I came back, I got a lecture from the landlord - apparently it wasn't a small blockage, it was a pretty big one caused by tampons, condomd, etc, being flushed down the toilet. He blamed me for this and said if it happens again I will be charged. The problem I have is that it's not my fault, nor my housemates. I tried to explain this to him when he semi-jokingly told me to put out my hand so he could slap it. I refused pointing out that I had not flushed anything untoward down the toilet, and I doubted my housemate had either (I confirmed this with her in a later conversation).

I feel bad that he had to deal with the blockage, but have no way of proving to him that it wasn't my fault. He'd asked if we'd had any guests round (guess this is where the condom thing came in. lol) and I said no, but I doubt he believed me. I don't know if the sewage system is shared with other houses that could have done this, or if it's the fault of the previous tenants, but it really got to me. Especially as he's now gone round and put signs up in the bathroom about it.

I don't know what I'm expecting here...I guess asking if there would be a way to find out whether the sewage system is shared, so we cannot be blamed again in future? I think it's just getting to me because in every other way things have been great. The landlord has been really, really helpful with all other teething problems, including heating issues, and took our side when the electrician tried to blame us for the heating issues, so the fact he doesn't believe me now is upsetting.

why dont you get csi and have a dna test? :rotfl:

WolfSong2000

Thanks guys The blockage was found in an external drain, which is what makes me wonder whether we have a shared system with neighbours? Either that or it was the previous tenants...who knows. Just bugs me...especially having those signs up, and I was tempted to take them down, but if I do, next time they come over it could cause problems, so they're staying where they are.

Like I said, in every other way the landlord's been amazing. They bought new furniture for the house, as well as some kitchen appliances, we've been donated a TV which the landlord's son picked up and dropped off at ours, they've fitted new smoke alarms, etc, etc. The only other issue I had was the landlord coming in without me knowing, then leaving the front door unlocked. Words were had about that (politely) and he now warns me in advance if he needs to come over for anything.

Accountant_Kerry

The landlord seems a bit to close for comfort to me, i can see this relationship souring quickly tbh. If my landlord wanted to put up signs I would have a fit!

theartfullodger

Is someone going through the motions??

anewman

Repeatedly visiting with or without your consent could be seen as harassment I believe.