Responsibility for blocked waste in rented property?

clark24

itm2 wrote: »

It could be stone or fat

Ok !!!!!! and huh :eek:

Fat yes, but STONE!!!

moromir

clark24 wrote: »

Ok !!!!!! and huh :eek:

Fat yes, but STONE!!!

I wonder if he means a chip of porcelain from a plate or even a fruit stone or something.

clark24

moromir wrote: »

I wonder if he means a chip of porcelain from a plate or even a fruit stone or something.

Unless the plug hole is completely open and doesn't have one of those metal thingies with the holes in (have no idea of technical term) that most sinks have then anything bigger than a pip would get stuck surely?

To be honest I'm so fascinated by this, if it were me the next time they complained of a blockage I'd go and unscrew the pipes and analyse the contents! lol

bouicca21

It's the kitchen waste pipe? Not the outside drain itself? I've known an accumulation of fat over 70+ years block a drain! once cleared I'd expect it to be ok for another 70+ years. Sink waste could perhaps get blocked by a combination of fat and tea leaves or coffee grouts ??

What does the plumber say about the blockages?

Kynthia

Ridiculous. I would tell the tenant that normal use of the sink does not result in regular blockages and they should be preventing blockages by regularly using sink cleaning products to prevent this. Explain that you yourself and previous tenants gave never needed a plumber to unblock the sink before and it is not your duty to pay for damage and problems they cause. You have a responsibility to maintain the structure of the property, bathing facilities, heating and hot water, the unblocking of sinks is not covered by this. They have a responsibility to act in a 'tenant like manner' and any future call outs will be at their cost.

rpc

itm2 wrote: »

All kind of deposits in drain pipes form gradually over the years and this is natural process

If it occurs over the years, why is it happening to them more often? They are digging their own hole. A report from the plumber would help you here (they may cause trouble with the deposit or the council and the evidence would strongly support your argument).

I would send moromir's letter. The next time they complain, I would send the S21.

thesaint

I would attend the property with the plumber so that he can explain the issue to the tenant in front of you.

I would also issue a Sec 21 if you haven't done so already.

itm2

The last time the plumber cleared the blockage he simply used a chemical product, and said that it cleared pretty quickly and easily. Unfortunately this doesn't give much of a clue re. what what causing the blockage. He did say that it might be possible to replace the existing drainage pipes with something "straighter" (i.e. fewer elbows), but I'm not sure that I should be going to all that trouble when there was never a problem before.
I've decided that I'd like to give the tenant notice, as this isn't the first time he's been a little more demanding than I think is reasonable. I've never served an S21 before, but having read about it I believe that it can only be used at the end of a tenancy, to regain possession of the property - i.e. it can't be used to terminate the contract early. IIRC the current 6 month agreement ends in Feb/Mar next year, although I don't believe that the tenant ever actually signed and returned the last renewal.
Will S21 be of any use to me here???

ruggedtoast

itm2 wrote: »

The last time the plumber cleared the blockage he simply used a chemical product, and said that it cleared pretty quickly and easily. Unfortunately this doesn't give much of a clue re. what what causing the blockage. He did say that it might be possible to replace the existing drainage pipes with something "straighter" (i.e. fewer elbows), but I'm not sure that I should be going to all that trouble when there was never a problem before.
I've decided that I'd like to give the tenant notice, as this isn't the first time he's been a little more demanding than I think is reasonable. I've never served an S21 before, but having read about it I believe that it can only be used at the end of a tenancy, to regain possession of the property - i.e. it can't be used to terminate the contract early. IIRC the current 6 month agreement ends in Feb/Mar next year, although I don't believe that the tenant ever actually signed and returned the last renewal.
Will S21 be of any use to me here???

And here you have everything that is wrong with the private rental sector.

bouicca21

I'm beginning to have a glimmer of sympathy for the tenant. If the waste pipe isn't very straight, is it possible that it is partially blocked with the grease of ages, and that normal use blocks it further? Have you or your plumber tested how long it takes water to clear from the sink? If it clears very slowly a partial blockage may well exist.