Major plumbing issue caused by tenant misuse

[Steve Boianelli]

A tenant of mine caused a major plumbing issue after admitting to pouring cooking grease down the drain over the past 4 months of residency. Needless to say my plumbers tried a number of different methods to unclog the pipe but the grease won't allow their methods to clear the drain. At this point my only option is to start ripping our walls to try to locate the clog, cut out the pipe and replace it. 

My question to the BP world is whether I can make the tenant pay for this. I am going to ask that they do since their neglect caused this issue however it's not stated in my lease anywhere that issues caused by misuse or neglect that result if something having to be repaired is the tenants responsibility. What do you all in the BP community think? Can I make them pay the bill? I'm estimating upwards of $1000 to get this repaired correctly.

[Wayne Brooks]

Get a new plumber, grease doesn’t form an impenetrable clog, it could easily be angered/snaked. Also a camera will tell you exactly where it is.