Comments on: Correction: Plumbing Clogs are Landlord’s Problem http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/ How to find, buy, and own investment property. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:08:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Noah http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-2301 Noah Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:53:52 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-2301 Okay, here's the perspective a maintenance professional with about twenty years in the apartment industry. While I beleive there are many just causes for the mentioned clauses, a simple "things not to do" booklet presented to the new renter can alleviate most of the problems before they occor. Something as simple as putting reghular dishwashing liquid in a dishwasher can cause an enormous amount of property damage, so letting the new resident know that is a bad idea will likely prevent the issue in the first place. If you would like me to write teses documents for you, feel free to contact me at http://www.thefixitteacher.com Okay, here’s the perspective a maintenance professional with about twenty years in the apartment industry. While I beleive there are many just causes for the mentioned clauses, a simple “things not to do” booklet presented to the new renter can alleviate most of the problems before they occor. Something as simple as putting reghular dishwashing liquid in a dishwasher can cause an enormous amount of property damage, so letting the new resident know that is a bad idea will likely prevent the issue in the first place. If you would like me to write teses documents for you, feel free to contact me at http://www.thefixitteacher.com

]]> By: John Gall http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-1897 John Gall Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:52:35 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-1897 WF, I would think you could test this during the walkthrough by flushing all toilets and running water down each sink. WF, I would think you could test this during the walkthrough by flushing all toilets and running water down each sink.

]]> By: Scott Ficek http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-1896 Scott Ficek Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:32:12 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-1896 Interesting point. The landlord also takes your word that you are going to pay the rent and not trash the place. Some faith and trust must be given on both sides. Interesting point. The landlord also takes your word that you are going to pay the rent and not trash the place. Some faith and trust must be given on both sides.

]]> By: WF http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-1895 WF Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:17:12 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-1895 From a tenant's point of view, am I just to accept the word of the landlord that all drains, waste pipes, and plumbing are clear at the time of occupancy? I'm one week in my apartment with no lease and am being subjected to a $500 plumbing bill. How am I to know that the problem was not pre-existing? This does not seem right to me. From a tenant’s point of view, am I just to accept the word of the landlord that all drains, waste pipes, and plumbing are clear at the time of occupancy? I’m one week in my apartment with no lease and am being subjected to a $500 plumbing bill. How am I to know that the problem was not pre-existing? This does not seem right to me.

]]> By: andrewa http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-960 andrewa Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:48:51 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-960 Here in South Africa the cure for grease in the toilet pipes is to send about 3KG (6 lbs) of caustic soda (Sodium hydroxide (Na OH ), also known as lye), in a strong water solution down the pipe. Its harmless to the sort of pipe plastics or ceramics we use here and of course coverts the grease and fats to soap whiich is water soluble. It is strongly alkaline so will eat any tree roots, human hair, tampons, t-shirts or any other organic substance etc blocking the pipe.P S wear protective glasses etc as splashes will blind you or give you alkaline burns. Here in South Africa the cure for grease in the toilet pipes is to send about 3KG (6 lbs) of caustic soda (Sodium hydroxide (Na OH ), also known as lye), in a strong water solution down the pipe. Its harmless to the sort of pipe plastics or ceramics we use here and of course coverts the grease and fats to soap whiich is water soluble. It is strongly alkaline so will eat any tree roots, human hair, tampons, t-shirts or any other organic substance etc blocking the pipe.P S wear protective glasses etc as splashes will blind you or give you alkaline burns.

]]> By: Ned Carey says http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-857 Ned Carey says Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:31:34 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-857 The same is true in MD. I think you would be OK with the original clause but I think the revised version is much better. In MD we use the term "as additional rent" as in "tenant paying all costs of repairs due as additional rent" the reasoning is they may be legally responsible for the repairs but unless it is actually rent, it can't be used in rent court. Rent court is ONLY for rent in MD. It might be helpful in your state. Ned Carey The same is true in MD. I think you would be OK with the original clause but I think the revised version is much better.

In MD we use the term “as additional rent” as in “tenant paying all costs of repairs due as additional rent” the reasoning is they may be legally responsible for the repairs but unless it is actually rent, it can’t be used in rent court. Rent court is ONLY for rent in MD. It might be helpful in your state.

Ned Carey

]]> By: Realty MN http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-856 Realty MN Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:15:16 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-856 I like the point made by John Gall regarding retaining their deposit to cover the repair if they decide not to pay your invoice. I frequently withhold deposit money for damages and believe that money owed should be paid. These small things add up and are the difference between rental property ruining you financially and making a successful living at it. I like the point made by John Gall regarding retaining their deposit to cover the repair if they decide not to pay your invoice. I frequently withhold deposit money for damages and believe that money owed should be paid. These small things add up and are the difference between rental property ruining you financially and making a successful living at it.

]]> By: Rob Bonahoom http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-855 Rob Bonahoom Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:20:08 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-855 I like this new phrase. The cost of plumbers is very expensive and many times a tenant has no idea how much it costs to have them come out and repair a clogged toilet. This clause would both make them aware of the cost and take more responsiblity to maintain things for themselves. I like this new phrase. The cost of plumbers is very expensive and many times a tenant has no idea how much it costs to have them come out and repair a clogged toilet. This clause would both make them aware of the cost and take more responsiblity to maintain things for themselves.

]]> By: minneapolis condos http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-854 minneapolis condos Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:46:09 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-854 I think tree roots are the landlord's issue and must be fixed by him or her. Stuffing diapers (tenant caused issues) are really the tenant's responsibility. Great post Scott! I think tree roots are the landlord’s issue and must be fixed by him or her. Stuffing diapers (tenant caused issues) are really the tenant’s responsibility. Great post Scott!

]]> By: Twin Cities Real Estate Gal http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/tenants/correction-plumbling-clogs-are-landlords-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-853 Twin Cities Real Estate Gal Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:24:39 +0000 http://www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com/?p=628#comment-853 Good thought Scott. I agree, most tenants are not malicious but since most have never owned their own home, tend to not think twice when pouring things (ie - large jugs of grease which we have found MANY times in our properties...) down the drains. Another thing we always want tenants to think about is the reporting of issues like plugged drains, running toilets, etc to the landlord ASAP before they become bigger issues and bills pile up. Maybe if they know they will be required to pay they will think twice! Good thought Scott. I agree, most tenants are not malicious but since most have never owned their own home, tend to not think twice when pouring things (ie – large jugs of grease which we have found MANY times in our properties…) down the drains.
Another thing we always want tenants to think about is the reporting of issues like plugged drains, running toilets, etc to the landlord ASAP before they become bigger issues and bills pile up. Maybe if they know they will be required to pay they will think twice!

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