Landlord or Tenant - who pays?

[Jonah Stavsky]

Funny but not so funny occurrence --

Im a new landlord and my tenants just moved in today. I got a call that the bathtub wasn't draining. I asked them to use the drano I provided first. They did and said it didn't work.

I sent a plumber over, and the plumber told me that the tenant just didn't know how to unplug the drain but there was no issue. They taught the tenant how to use it.

The tenant called me very embarrassed about the situation, I was reassuring that it wasn't a big deal.

And it wasn't a big deal, until I just got a bill for $150 from the plumber just for coming out. My question is do I just suck it up and pay this as to not start off on the wrong foot, or do I need to charge this to the tenant becuase it was there fault.

Any advice? Is there a 3rd option?

[Jaron Walling]

@Jonah Stavsky Just pay the bill and move on. Be clear these charges are the responsibility of the tenants, not the land lord, and this is the first and last warning. Any damages related to plumbing should be in your lease (if not already). Best of luck! 

"PLUMBING: Tenants agree that there will be nothing besides human waste and toilet paper going in toilets or drains. That includes (but is not limited to), paper towels, sanitary napkins/tampons, flushable wipes, diapers, paper towels, fish, or smoking materials/ cigarette butts, or bandages. Plumbing repairs necessitated by tenant(s), family, guests or invitees, carelessness or neglect shall be at the expense of the tenant. If any of these items are found in the drain or sewer – tenants will be charged for cost to clear blockage."