11
votes
Rental company charged me for clogged toilet repair -> replacement
So a my building charged me for a clogged toilet repair that turned into a total replacement.
Its listed as a plumbing damage charge, I don't believe they have a basis to charge for that. What should I do?
Also my insurance company interestingly didnt renew my tenant insurance policy ive had fot years with no change.
Should I ask them to provide the documented charge and consider filing a claim with my insurance seeing as they're dropping me anyway? Should I ensure I have a new policy before I file that claim
Not proud but proudly not ashamed
Unfortunately, I would expect that you’ll need to divulge more info about your country of residence in order for people to help. Some jurisdictions have more tenant protection laws, some fewer. The best generic advice I would give is to find a local tenant advocacy group, since they should be able to low cost (or free) legal advice that’s applicable to your situation.
Now, I’m not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice, but daaaaaamn I’m surprised that clearing a blocked toilet could result in totalling it. Either the plumber’s gone wild with their sledge hammer, or you flushed a sack of concrete by accident.
Definitely depends on WHY the toilet was clogged. Obviously something in the house did it. Ive had tenants clog a toilet (child's toy) and it took a plumber to unclog it, so it was on them to pay for that. But Ive also had a major clog that happened because the roofer(!) dropped a scrap piece of wood down the toilet vent and it cause a blockage that flooded the toilet and the bathroom. It took a special auger to remove it and the roofer ended up paying the $3000 bill because he was honest.
I would ask them to provide a detailed quote from the plumbing company, and then I would call up the company to ask for more details. You might be able to get a feel of if the landlord is being shady or if truely a guest of yours somehow flushed towels or something.
Re: insurance -- in Canada they always ask me if I've previously been dropped or if I have filed claims. Seems worth looking into why you got dropped because it will mean premiums are more at your next company.
Will do
How old was the toilet? I’ve seen a few sources online say that the lifespan of a toilet in a rental unit is 15-20 years. If the toilet was approaching that age, you shouldn’t have to pay since it should have been replaced regardless of anything you did.
At the very least you can try to negotiate a prorated cost so you only pay for the percentage of remaining lifespan wasted.
I actually just pokefaced asked aboit it and it turns out last management was all fired except for a few of my buds from earlier and they will look into it. So positive vibes, there's nothing I could have done that would justify it
Wait, the folks telling you to pay for new toilet have been fired? I need to know more
I have no new info but my gut wants to say they get bonuses to incentivize charging tenants more up the ass whenever they can and they got a little trigger happy and people made an actual fuss that couldnt be ignored. Will update when i know more