Plumbing Invoice from Real Estate Agent

sp0309 on 28/07/2020 - 17:44
Last edited 28/07/2020 - 17:58

Hi, I am renting and the house is a bit old . There have been plumbing issues with the house 3-4 times.

There was a water leak in the flush when I moved in and I had to pay a fortune for my first water bill as I could only figure out something was wrong after the first bill that only came in 3 months after I moved in.

Also unrelated,

I have been living now for more than a year. During this time the plumber has been needed 2 more times for blockage. I was not asked to pay for this.

Last week I had to call the agent again because the drain was blocked(third time for blockage). The plumber fixed it up and the agent sent me a bill of $360. I have never faced an issue with drainage before on other properties. I told them this is an ongoing issue with the property and I dispute the invoice. They then told me to pay half. To resolve the dispute and save everyone time I agreed to pay half. However, they went back from their words and demanded full again.

What are your views about this? what should i do ?

Home & Garden

Comments

    • sp0309 on 28/07/2020 - 17:56

      I will have to get that info tbh

  • mbck on 28/07/2020 - 17:53

    So you have written confirmation to pay for half?

    • sp0309 on 28/07/2020 - 17:53

      yes

  • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2020 - 17:54

    A leak and a blocked pipe are completely separate issues.

    If you didn't get a blocked pipe whilst living there for a year, the reasons the pipe is blocked is likely linked to you.

    There are other possibilities if these are storm pipes but if it is grey water, it is very likely user related.

    • sp0309 on 28/07/2020 - 17:55

      No it has been blocked before 2 times in 8 months I would say. This is the third time.

      Leak was only when I moved in.(not related to this you are correct)

      • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2020 - 17:57

        I see. You may want to amend your post to specify that the plumber was needed two more times due to blockages.

        If it is the same blockage, you are either a very very naughty tenant or there may be a break in the pipe and it is clogging with mud.

        • sp0309 on 28/07/2020 - 17:59

          never happened before at 2 other properties.

        • mskeggs on 28/07/2020 - 19:29
          +1

          Tree roots more likely

          • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2020 - 21:02

            @mskeggs: Depends on why it broke.

            Big tree next to pipe. Probs tree roots.

            Pipe under driveway, probs cracked and filled with mud.

  • Drakesy on 28/07/2020 - 17:55
    +1

    I figured it depends what clogged it, if it's roots that have got into the drain or poorly designed drains then it's the landlord's business.

    If it's paper/hair/whatever else goes down the drain then it'll be on you. However if the drains are average from the start / not draining water at an adequate rate (40+ year old house) you might have a leg to stand on. Was the clogged drain sudden or did it slowly stop draining?

    Sorry, not sure what the water leak in the flush has to do with the clogged drain though

    • sp0309 on 28/07/2020 - 17:57

      yeah not related.

      I would have paid if this happened one time. The blockage has happened 3 time last 8-9 months

      • Drakesy on 28/07/2020 - 18:30
        +2

        Did the plumber say what caused it?

  • Porker on 28/07/2020 - 17:59

    As others have said, you need to know the cause to argue the issue. If it's an issue of use or misuse, then it's for you to fix, but if it's fundamental issue, then it's the landlord.

    Was any explanation given to you by the plumbers on the earlier two occasions that you paid?

    • sp0309 on 28/07/2020 - 18:00

      I was not home all the times. I will have to get that info

  • Summoner on 28/07/2020 - 18:12
    +3

    I would request for a report from a plumber stating the cause of the blockage before agreeing with anything. If issue is unknown. I would suggest agent to investigate the issue. Eg) by using the cameras to inspect the pipe. If the end result suggest it was your fault, pay for it. Otherwise, fight for it.
    If the owner or the agent does not wish to investigate the issue. Do not pay or agree to pay anything. If they insist without investigation, contact your local tenant authority.

    The agent might ask you to pay for the camera inspection if the result of the investigation was that you are responsible for the blockage. I have hired a plumber to inspect our pipe once, and the cost was about $250 for one hour including labour and camera hire. This may vary depending on who you hire.

  • garetz on 28/07/2020 - 18:22
    +2

    Not your responsibility unless you were the cause of the issue, why would you even agree to pay half. Get more information, like what is causing the actual blockage.

  • elgrande on 28/07/2020 - 18:32

    Not your problem unless they are saying you flushed something down there that you should not have.

    What does the invoice say?

    • sp0309 on 29/07/2020 - 09:41

      The invoice they passed me is not from the plumber. It is their own

  • Third_Gear on 28/07/2020 - 19:05
    +1

    The invoice should very clearly state what the issue is and what they did to rectify it. At our commercial rental we had a blocked pipe. Paid and got it sorted. Two weeks later same thing so we got another plumber in who sent a camera down the line and saw that the pipe had actually beer crushed due to erosion etc. Turned into a very expensive repair which I was not responsible for.

  • oscargamer on 28/07/2020 - 19:35
    +2

    Unless you caused the blockage, it's 100% the LL's problem / cost

    DO NOT PAY ONE CENT, until they prove you caused the blockage

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 28/07/2020 - 20:54
    +1

    Old house may have earthenware sewer pipes. Soil movement over time can lead to minor cracking. Tree roots invade looking for moisture. The plumber's drain clearing machine will retrieve some of these whilst clearing the drain, along with whatever was caught up in the tree roots.
    The plumber may have taken photos of what the drain clearer retrieved. In any case, he/she would know what was blocking the sewer.
    If it is tree roots, that is the LL problem. It will keep reoccurring until the sewer is replaced or relined. This is not a cost for the tenant.
    If the blockage was due to items being flushed, such as wet wipes, that are not recommended by water authorities, that is the tenant's cost entirely.
    Speak to the plumber before paying anything.

  • Cheapskate Paul on 29/07/2020 - 00:53

    I would want to know why it cost $360. Did it take three to four hours to fix a blockage? Highly unlikely. I think you are being ripped off.

    • sp0309 on 29/07/2020 - 09:42

      I am not sure tbh. I was not home

    • SnoozeAndLose on 29/07/2020 - 09:52

      Is NSW it is normal price to use Jet to clear the blockage. Is just how expensive to hire a tradie in NSW.

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