Backflow testing costs: Tenant or Landlord (Portland OR)

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Backflow testing costs: Tenant or Landlord (Portland OR)

Pranitha Shandi
Homeowner · Member since 2020 · 30 posts · 2 votes

My tenant in Portland, OR just received a note about Backflow testing in Sept 2020 and the water utility company asking to sign up ($35 annual cost).

While water as a utility is their responsibility, I did not have any reference to Backflow in my Lease/Utility addendums.

What do you typically do with your tenants?

Choice 1: Landlord/Owner pays for the test ($35) and any additional costs for the repair/replacement repair/replacement found during the test

Choice 2: Tenant pays for the test (typically $35) and Landlord/Owner pays for any repair/replacement found during the test

Choice 3 (unlikely choice): Tenant pays for both test and any repair/replacement found during the testing.

About the Backflow testing Gold Plan (TVWD)

https://www.tvwd.org/water-quality/page/residential-annual-backflow-assembly-testing-service-gold-plan

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  • Mathew Wray
    Real Estate Agent · Portland, OR · Member since 2013 · 412 posts · 219 votes
    6y

    I’ve never had a tenant pay for back flow testing. Maybe I’m missing the boat, but I view it as a infrastructure for the home. If the water main needs repairing you wouldn’t charge the tenant for repair because they’re responsible for water utilities. Look at it from a different angle, if the tenant is responsible for keeping the yard clean, but a tree falls through no fault of the tenant, would you expect the tenant to have the tree cleaned up? It’s just a cost of owning a rental. 

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  • Lien VuongBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    I've never had or even heard of this. Is your area a high contamination area for water? Are there filters in place? Could just be another reason for the utilities company to make $ off of you. 

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  • Adam Zagorsky
    Bend, OR · Member since 2015 · 8 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    We have had to do that in the past in Bend, OR. We were tenants and we payed for it but the landlord reimbursed us. 

    I would agree with @Mathew Wray considering it infrastructure for the home. 

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  • Neal Collins
    Developer · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 732 posts · 490 votes
    6y

    I'd go ahead and pay for it as well. Seems like a minor expense that you wouldn't want the resident to fester over.

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  • Chad Hale
    Property Manager / Investor · San Jose, CA · Member since 2013 · 780 posts · 302 votes
    6y

    It depends on what is in your lease.

    If it is a residential home and not called out as a tenant specific responsibility it is more than likely an owner operating expense. 


    Something to consider, do you really want to make a tenant mad over $35 / year if it is not clear in the lease and was not explained before signing.

    In commercial leases, back flow testing usually falls into a tenant specific responsibility or is treated as a CAM.  Though, again it depends on what is in the lease agreement.

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  • Brad HammondBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Portland, OR · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 605 votes
    6y

    I have always paid it and I would have taken care of any issues (I haven't had any though).  I don't think $35 is worth getting into a fight over. 

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