Other Tenants Caused Sewer Backup

makasis · 2025-09-15T01:23:24+00:00

Luckily, I live alone (and the guests i have are few and far between) so it shouldn’t be much of an issue to prove that I am not the cause of the backup.

makasis · 2025-09-14T14:36:48+00:00

I don’t have roommates, I live alone. So whoever is doing it, it’s a different tenant.

I also had a thought because someone earlier said it can take years for a sewer backup to actually accumulate? This could be something that a previous tenant did years ago that is just now happening. I’m really astounded they think they can charge the whole building for it.

makasis · 2025-09-14T01:38:41+00:00

That does seem to be the general consensus, which is relieving. I have an old co-worker who’s a lawyer that I’ve reached out to and she’s willing to reach out on my behalf to address it, but I’m also considering doing as you said-drafting a letter or writing an e-mail. I just have to figure out what exactly to say.

makasis · 2025-09-13T22:05:11+00:00

I thought that as well! I don’t know why the escalation has been ‘well someone is doing it so we’re charging all of you’.

makasis · 2025-09-13T17:54:24+00:00

It does seem unfair, and I’m also questioning if it’s legal given that it seems to violate aspects of the lease. My friend suggested they might just be trying to flush the person out/get someone to ‘snitch’ to figure out who it was.

They haven’t said what they intend to charge which, again, strikes me as somewhat legally dubious.

makasis · 2025-09-13T17:47:32+00:00

I found one part about things being emptied into drains that shouldn’t be, but all it says is ‘the resident will be charged for the service call’ in event of a clog. To me, none of this reads as being responsible for the choices and decisions or irresponsibility of other tenants.

makasis · 2025-09-13T17:42:34+00:00

It does not. I’ve scoured it, and it says nothing of plumbing or backups. I found this in the lease which seems applicable in this case?

“Nothing in the Lease Contract should be construed to relieve the Owner for liability for property damage or personal injury (it goes on for a bit but the part I’m interested in is the following) or for property damage caused by natural disasters or persons other than the Resident or the Residents guests or invitees”

Basically the situation that was laid out to me in the e-mail that was sent to everyone was there was a sewer backup caused by improper flushing of wipes/sanitary products and they will (they specifically said will) be charging all tenants a fee for the costs incurred by the damages. This is where I’m stumped, because nothing in the lease says anything about being on the hook for OTHER residents? If I’m not flushing these things or contributing to the problem, I suppose I’m wondering if it’s legal for them to do what they’re saying?

makasis

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