Licked by a lollipop stick

Licked by a lollipop stick

19:53 PM, 12th March 2015, About 9 years ago 21

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My tenants of six months made an emergency call out for a plumber to unblock the kitchen sink. Plumber found a lollipop stick in th U bend which in turn had caused food waste to accumulate. Licked by a lollipop stick

I am inclined to bill the tenants, but the argue they definitely did not drop a lollipop stick down the plug hole and that it was probably left over from a previous tenant.

I can’t prove they caused the blockage, likewise they can’t prove the didn’t.

If they refuse to pay the bill I have thought about issuing a notice to quit.

Any constructive advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Stewy (BluDo)


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Comments

Roy B

13:30 PM, 14th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mike McDonagh" at "13/03/2015 - 11:38":

It could be an emergency if the tap was dripping, there was only one sink downstairs and a baby in the house or less mobile person, was at the start of a bonk holiday weekend/xmas etc. They should have called the landlord first though. To make a more subjective view more info would be needed.

Elaine Hassall

17:07 PM, 14th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Roy B" at "14/03/2015 - 13:30":

Roy B, love the idea of a bonk holiday weekend 😉

Joe Bloggs

17:08 PM, 14th March 2015, About 9 years ago

wouldnt that mean no bonking?

Elaine Hassall

18:03 PM, 14th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Bloggs" at "14/03/2015 - 17:08":

not in my book ';)

Neil Robb

12:58 PM, 15th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Stewy

Was the cost extortionate? I would have thought £30.00 would more than cover this, Why ruin the relationship with the tenant over such a small matter. I have things that need repaired or go wrong all the time it is a part of the business. You just educate the tenant and if it happens again then it is clearly their fault as you know it is cleared now.
We are hearing a lot late of revenge evictions because tenants wanted repairs done. You have just said you will end the tenancy if they don't pay. Can I ask you do they look after your property keeping it clean and pay the rent on time.
Your next tenant may wreck your house not pay rent then you will regret asking them to leave.

Roy B

19:00 PM, 15th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Elaine Hassall" at "14/03/2015 - 17:07":

So do I - how did I manage that typo lol. Just goes to prove somebody does actually read the post

14:52 PM, 19th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Monty Bodkin" at "12/03/2015 - 21:22":

Whatever the tenancy says or doesn't say I think (I may well be wrong though) that Lord Dennings definition of tenant like manner still applies from years and years ago. He specifically mentioned blocked sinks and states that they are the tenants responsibility.....

Lord Denning stated:
"What does 'to use the premises in a tenant-like manner' mean? The tenant must take proper care of the place. He must, if he is going away for the winter, turn off the water and empty the boiler. He must clean the chimneys, when necessary and also the windows. He must mend the electric light when it fuses. He must unstop the sink when it is blocked by his waste. In short, he must do those little jobs about the place, which a reasonable tenant would do. In addition, he must, of course, not damage the house wilfully or negligently; and he must see that his family and guests do not damage it; and if they do, he must repair it. But apart from such things, if the house falls out of repair owing to fair wear and tear, lapse of time or for any reason not caused by him, then he will not be liable to repair it."

That said if they were good tenants I would pay it in order to maintain good relations. It's just business, being friendly etc. However I would remind them that everyone needs to accept personal responsibility.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

14:57 PM, 19th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Roanch 21" at "19/03/2015 - 14:52":

Excellent quote, thanks for sharing it 🙂

Here's a useful link regarding that 1954 case law >>> http://swarb.co.uk/warren-v-keen-ca-1954/
.

15:26 PM, 19th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Tenants often seem to leave all common sense and responsibility behind when they enter into a tenancy. I recently had to fix a shed door that had fallen off because the hinges had snapped. 'How did that happen?', I asked. 'It's been getting stiffer and stiffer to open and has been making an awful squeaking noise for about a year'. she replied. 'A YEAR! Didn't you think to oil it?' I asked. 'No. I don't have any oil or know where to buy oil' was the sheepish reply.

Later that year her tenancy wasn't renewed. I'm sure this will have been classed as a revenge retaliatory eviction by CAB / Shelter etc.

Graham Durkin

20:26 PM, 19th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Elaine Hassall" at "14/03/2015 - 17:07":

Elaine
Just looked at my typing keyboard ,the O is about 9 inches away from the A ,so i think ROY B must be dislexic for his mistake

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