In Ontario, the landlord is responsible for maintenance and repairs of their rental property. A tenant is responsible for any damage they cause to the property. In the case of a clogged toilet, if it was caused by the tenant flushing unreasonable things (kitty litter, toys, etc.)
Is a landlord responsible for a clogged toilet Ontario?
Landlords are responsible for repairs even if the tenant knew about problems before agreeing to rent the home. The landlord is responsible for fixing anything that breaks or does not work properly (e.g., a broken refrigerator, a clogged drain or leaking pipes).
Who is responsible for a blocked toilet in a rental property?
Your landlord could ask you to pay repair costs for things like blocked drains, pipes or toilets if you did not take reasonable care to keep them free of blockages. Your landlord might fix things that you’ve damaged but they can charge for this. You’re not responsible for normal wear and tear in your home.
Should landlord unblock toilet?
If you suspect that there is a blockage in your plumbing system, then you should inform your landlord straight away as it is his responsibility to fix any obstructions, damage or leaks that could cause a flood or any further damage to the property.
Who pays for blocked drains landlord or tenant?
Blocked drains are not necessarily a landlord’s responsibility to fix. A tenant is responsible for repairing clogged or broken drains inside the boundaries of the property. If you suspect there is a blockage in your drains, you should inform your landlord straight away.
Who is responsible for blocked toilet drains?
Generally speaking, you’re usually responsible for drains inside the boundaries of your property, while the sewerage company is responsible for lateral drains, which are usually outside of property boundaries, and sewers. Although most sewers are now publicly owned, there are still some private or unadopted sewers.
Is a clogged toilet a maintenance emergency?
A clogged toilet or sink isn’t considered an emergency. However, it becomes emergency maintenance in cases where it leads to the entire plumbing system getting clogged.
How long does a landlord have to fix a blocked toilet?
If a landlord is failing to fix basic things such as leaky taps or broken toilet seats within a reasonable time (two weeks) then the best thing tenants can do is bombard them with requests and remind them that they could be in breach of the tenancy agreement.
How do I tell my landlord the toilet is clogged?
At the first sign of a blocked toilet, the property manager or landlord should be informed. If the house you rent is managed by a property manager, contact them straight away. Most property managers have both an office number and an out of hour’s phone number for emergencies.
What do you do if your apartment toilet is clogged?
Clogged Toilets
In many cases, a simple toilet plunger may be the solution to the problem. Plunge the toilet drain repeatedly to see if the added pressure from the plunger will dislodge the clog. If this doesn’t work, you may need to run a drain auger or “snake” into the plumbing drain to physically break up the clog.
Should I call a plumber if my toilet is clogged?
If your plunger can’t break up the clog, it’s unlikely that baking soda and dish soap are going to work. If, after five or so minutes, the plunger isn’t working, it’s time to call a plumber.
Should a tenant pay for a blocked drain?
Proving Who Blocked or Damaged a Sewer Pipe
Once the drain is fixed, the bill needs to be paid and if the tenant disputes that responsibility is theirs, it is usually the landlord who will pay the account. They must then consider whether they want to try to recoup the funds from the tenant.
Does landlord have to pay for emergency plumber?
Urgent repairs – If there is a serious issue that affects the safety or habitability of the property, then it is the responsibility of the landlord to make the repair. Urgent repairs should be attended to within 24 hours whenever possible and include: Blocked toilets. Burst water mains.
What damage is a tenant liable for?
Ultimately, the tenant is responsible for any damage that they cause to the property they are renting. The damage should be reported as soon as possible, so that it can be repaired or at least assessed by either the landlord or a professional (tradesman etc.)
What are landlords responsible for?
Landlord’s responsibilities
A landlord is responsible for: repairs to the structure and exterior of the property, heating and hot water systems, basins, sinks, baths and other sanitaryware. the safety of gas and electrical appliances. the fire safety of furniture and furnishings provided under the tenancy.
How much does it cost for someone to unclog a toilet?
The national average cost to unclog a toilet is $200 to $700, with most people spending about $350 for a plumber to use an electric auger to clear the toilet drain clog and test the system. This project’s low cost is $100 for a simple drain snaking or professional chemical treatment by a plumber.
Will renters insurance cover damage from clogged toilet?
Renters insurance covers damage to your property from your toilet flooding, as long as it was an accident and not “negligence.” Negligence is an action that would be considered by a normal person to be unreasonable or reckless, such as flushing your toilet over and over after it clogs.
What is my landlord responsible to repair?
Your landlord is also generally responsible for keeping in repair: the structure and exterior of your home, for example, the walls, roof, foundations, drains, guttering and external pipes, windows and external doors. basins, sinks, baths, toilets and their pipework.
Can a landlord make a tenant pay for repairs?
When Landlords Can Make Tenants Pay for Repairs. In most cases, a landlord can make a tenant pay for repairs if the tenant is responsible for the damage, and that damage goes beyond normal wear-and-tear.
Is a blocked toilet the tenants responsibility?
The landlord is responsible for: clearing blocked sewers, drains and external waste pipes but not road gullies or waste pipes blocked by tenant misuse.
Why do apartment toilets clog so easily?
Oftentimes, a clogged toilet is caused by a few common issues, such as too much toilet paper used, clogs in the toilet drain, toilet trap, or toilet vent, a sewer line clog caused by tree root penetrations, and even older low flow toilets.