Is a tenant responsible for repairs, when the damage was done due old plumbing?

Question

my landlord is trying to hold us responsible for a plumbing bill, and replacement of carpet padding in the bathroom and kitchen, becaue we had a back up in the shower drain, he is trying to telll us that HIS plumber buddy found baby wipes when snakeing out the drain, therefore we are responsible for the damages and the bill. (they are FLUshable wipes made by kleenex) we called a plumber out of the phone book and he came over and looked at our plumbing and told us that the plumbing is outdated, and the tub is missing a p-trap. He said that it was very unlikely that those wipes would have caused aa problem that big.
the landlord is threatening to evict us if we dont pay the bill, what shoud i do?

i am in Ohio. we have had a problem with our toilet since we moved in. about 2 weeks ago, i called the landlord and told him that he needed to get a plumber over here, there was gurgling noises in all drains and the toilet, and a strong odor coming from the drain, that nite the shower overflowed while the tub was draining, and water spilled out over the edge, causing it too not only cover the bathroom carpet, but it came thru ceiling in kitchen and ruined kitchen carpet, he says that his plumber(came to fix it next day) said that he discovered baby wipes clogging drain. (they arent babywipes, they are kleenex flushables). he says that we must pay for the bill, and damages and repairs, because he feels that it was our fault that it happend. we called a plumb. out of yellow pages, he wrote us a estimate saying that the plumb.is outdated,lackingp-trap,and it is impossible wipes could have casued. landlord is threaten to evict us if we do not pay for all of this. what do we do????

Answer 1

this is for cowboydoc. reread what she wrote. the tub was draing. when a clog happens, it backed up to the shower drain. water wasnt running, it was draing. flushable wipes equal to about 4 tabs of toilet paper and was made to be flushed hence the name. they degrate inb water almost as fast as TP. and they didnt know it was "packed" with wipes til it overflowed. old plumbing CAN be a problem, bc they didnt vent properly, use the correct pipe diameter anjd often done by the original homeowner bc they didnt do inspections. so just like this poor lady's bathroom floor, you re all wet.
as for your question, sounds like you have a cheap landlord that prolly claims tenants errored all the time. your plumber is your best bet, compared to his "buddy" who has an agenda. good luck

Answer 2

Missing a "P" trap would create the smell but, if the shower was over running, why didn't someone see it and turn it off? your usually there when taking a shower, how come this much water? very unusual. When you see a leak, you stop the action to avoid problems.

Whether it's flush-able or not, you shouldn't toss anything it the toilet that wasn't meant to be in there. It could be construed different ways by different people (plumbers)
Why or what makes him say the lines are "outdated" if they're legal or what there made out of, what!

If you took a shower, knowing it was running over and, the lines were packed with these "Wipes" you could be held accountable.

The company I worked for had so many plumbing problems from tenants that misused their plumbing and created constant problems with this misuse started charging the tenants for the calls. Most stopped immediately.

I had to call one one single mother with three kids up to five times a week to unstop her toilet. She let the kids play in there and they were constantly flushing toys, etc down the drain plugging it. She thought it was funny until she started getting $75.00 bills for the work. It stopped in a hurry.

Answer 3

call the local code enforcement or health department to inspect.
The baby wipes that are flush-able really aren't that flush-able.especially with older systems.
Did your plumber put it in writing for you?
Is his plumber friend licenced ?
If the tub has no P-trap that is a health hazzerd by allowing methane gas into the house.

Answer 4

I think your landlord is responsible. He has insurance (Or should) and that's what it's for:) I wouldn't pay it, but then again you don't want to get thrown out either..if you CAN pay, you might go ahead ~and then take him to court to recoup your money. You have YOUR plumber to back you up, saying it wasn't your fault.
Personally, I would NEVER flush a baby wipe though, despite that they say they are flushable. I hope everything turns out good for you:)
Best of Luck!

Answer 5

The rent can only be raised when your lease is up and it is time to renew. If you happen to be on a month to month the rent can be raised as often as the landlord wants as long as he gives you a 30 day notice of increase

Answer 6

first of the week contact a lawyer.i have been thru this and landlords do not want to put any money back into the house.tell him you are getting a lawyer and maybe this will back him off and if not go thru with it.good luck and God bless

Answer 7

No, it's the land lord..call the city...they should help...tell him you will report him...he can't evict on those terms..call the city ASAP...and have the plumber you called put his finding in writing!

Answer 8

Send him a certified letter, return receipt requested, denying the charges, and pointing out that he would have to prove his case for eviction in court -- which he can't.

Answer 9

The first thing you need to do is tell us what state you live in.

Answer 10

laywers are expensive -- it might be wise to just move. you have learned your landlord is pyscho. in the long term you are better off somewhere else with a landlord that actually appreciates your business.