Tenant doesn’t want to place TP in waste basket

30 Reply

OP

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

The toilet is newer. It’s an older house so older plumbing so def not replacing the entire plumbing. Also just replaced carpet and painted the walls because there was water intrusion from heavy rainfall. That’s costed 3k. Then when they moved in, the washer broke and replaced that…and then the microwave broke and replaced that. So I def haven’t been cheap. House has been rented to three tenants now and they’re the first I’ve had any issues with. I wish I was cheap dude.

2 Reply

Theresa HarrisPro Member

Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes

I wouldn't want to do that either. I'd remind him that 4 sheet of TP is the norm as he may be using more or there could be a minor blockage that the plumber missed the first time.

3 Reply

OP

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

Well his little kids uses that bathroom I believe and prob not supervised. What would you do in this case esp if they deny paying for the repair? I can just foresee this being an ongoing issue that even a new toilet wouldn’t even fix.

Matthew Paul

Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes

Scotts 1001 sheets for TP . The fluffy feel good stuff will clog all the time .

5 Reply

OP

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

That’s what you recommend they buy?

Jay HinrichsBusiness Member

Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes

Podcast Guest on Show #222

ya Americans simply are unware that many parts of the world the tp goes in to a waste can not the plumbing..

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9 Reply

Bruce WoodruffPro Member

Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes

We're in the good ole US of A. It's gross to put used TP in a trashcan.

Make it clear to him that any toilet clogs are on HIM. If he can't/won't control his kids or whoever is causing the toilet stoppage, then he will learn after a few $ repair bills

11 Reply

Chris SeveneyBusiness Member

Moderator

Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes

Quote from @Nadir M.:

Hello BP,

Wanted to get everyone’s opinion on what they would do in this situation. My current tenant said that the toilet is clogged again. Had it opened about 3-4 weeks ago and the reason was too much TP. I told him that they need to dispose of TP in the closed trash waste basket. If it happens again due to too much TP then the cost will be on the tenant. So it happened again…and it due to too much TP. He said that it’s unsanitary and gross to place TP in waste basket and that I should have included that in the lease that can’t flush TP. So I’m going to send him the bill but doubt he will pay and doubt that this issue will be resolved because they’ll continue to flush TP down the toilet. How would you guys handle this? What’s the recommendation? I’m okay with telling them to break the lease and I’ll give them their deposit back minus the cleaning fee.

Any thoughts/feedback is greatly appreciate Thank you

Yep I would not do this if I was a tenant. I have been to some islands where you need to do this and I was like - no thanks.

Have you had a camera go down the drain? What I would do is get a camera down the waste line, share it with them and let them know. Thenif it clogs and its because of too much TP then charge them. They will eventually learn. If its because the home is old, that is more on you in that instance.

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4 Reply

OP

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

Quote from @Chris Seveney:

Quote from @Nadir M.:

Hello BP,

Wanted to get everyone’s opinion on what they would do in this situation. My current tenant said that the toilet is clogged again. Had it opened about 3-4 weeks ago and the reason was too much TP. I told him that they need to dispose of TP in the closed trash waste basket. If it happens again due to too much TP then the cost will be on the tenant. So it happened again…and it due to too much TP. He said that it’s unsanitary and gross to place TP in waste basket and that I should have included that in the lease that can’t flush TP. So I’m going to send him the bill but doubt he will pay and doubt that this issue will be resolved because they’ll continue to flush TP down the toilet. How would you guys handle this? What’s the recommendation? I’m okay with telling them to break the lease and I’ll give them their deposit back minus the cleaning fee.

Any thoughts/feedback is greatly appreciate Thank you

Yep I would not do this if I was a tenant. I have been to some islands where you need to do this and I was like - no thanks.

Have you had a camera go down the drain? What I would do is get a camera down the waste line, share it with them and let them know. Thenif it clogs and its because of too much TP then charge them. They will eventually learn. If its because the home is old, that is more on you in that instance.

Well the plumber went there twice and said clog was due to TP. He said the pipes are fine. I told him the second occurance if it’s due to TP again then it’s on him. If the house is too old then I’m not sure what I can do. I guess break the lease and have him find a newer home? Waste cans with lids that manually open and shut I thought were standard. I was always told and told others that TP or baby wipes are not to be flushed. I get flushing it down the toilet if you’re on an island for sure, but not when you’re renting a single family home and it’s your family.

1 Reply

Wade G.

Houston, TX · Member since 2010 · 150 posts · 159 votes

You made a mistake in the very beginning by unclogging the toilet. My lease states the tenant is responsible for plumbing clogs unless the clog is caused by faulty plumbing. When a tenant leases from me, I make sure they understand that there are no clogs in the plumbing when they receive the house so any clogs will be caused by them and they are responsible for calling a plumber and dealing with it.

7 Reply

V.G JasonPro Member

Investor · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

Quote from @Nadir M.:

The toilet is newer. It’s an older house so older plumbing so def not replacing the entire plumbing. Also just replaced carpet and painted the walls because there was water intrusion from heavy rainfall. That’s costed 3k. Then when they moved in, the washer broke and replaced that…and then the microwave broke and replaced that. So I def haven’t been cheap. House has been rented to three tenants now and they’re the first I’ve had any issues with. I wish I was cheap dude.

You are cheap. Justify it how you want, but you're making him throw TP in a trash bin like this is some foreign country.

Fix the plumbing, if it can't handle TP you don't want to learn how you'll fix it later.

Those costs you complained about you charge to the game. You fixed things that needed be to fixed, now you're telling him how to wipe his ***.

It's how it goes in physical asset investing. You aren't fit for being a landlord.

6 Reply

Dan H.Pro Member

Investor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes

What does your lease state? I think in the absence of the lease stating anything this is a difficult situation. This is the U.S.A. TP goes down the toilet.

However, there is a limit to what sewer pipes can handle. It is why my lease states any back up that is not a result of defective plumbing is on the tenants. Even though the lease states this, we typically pick up the first clearing of drain. In our market p,umbers are crazy expensive but clearings are quite reasonable. We tell the tenant what the plumber states was the cause of the back up. If it is tenant caused, we tell tenant per the lease that the next drain clearing will be charged to them. If it is roots, joint corrosion, etc we get it chained which has some risk but clears the drain of anything except pipe breakage that would cause a clog.

Good luck

3 Reply

Michael Quarles

Flipper/Rehabber · Bakersfield, CA · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

Quote from @Nadir M.:

Hello BP,

Wanted to get everyone’s opinion on what they would do in this situation. My current tenant said that the toilet is clogged again. Had it opened about 3-4 weeks ago and the reason was too much TP. I told him that they need to dispose of TP in the closed trash waste basket. If it happens again due to too much TP then the cost will be on the tenant. So it happened again…and it due to too much TP. He said that it’s unsanitary and gross to place TP in waste basket and that I should have included that in the lease that can’t flush TP. So I’m going to send him the bill but doubt he will pay and doubt that this issue will be resolved because they’ll continue to flush TP down the toilet. How would you guys handle this? What’s the recommendation? I’m okay with telling them to break the lease and I’ll give them their deposit back minus the cleaning fee.

Any thoughts/feedback is greatly appreciate Thank you

I’m sitting on my couch trying to find the correct word to use that won’t get me put in BP jail.

Unconscionable seems like the word.

you’re complaining about toilet paper. What’s used to wipe a butt? Which once used would be layered with feces. Better known as poop.

youre complaining that your paying occupant, the one who pays you a monthly lease payment so you can buy the suit you’re wearing in your avatar is somehow neglecting their duty as a tenant by not putting papered stained poop in a basket because you can’t afford or don’t want to pay to have the sewer system improved to “American” standards?

OMG. really? you put new carpet in is your excuse?

this is what happens when we give everyone a trophy. They don’t consider their lack of action.

I’ve had my share of GI JOES, tampons, maxi pads, Que tips and yes toilet paper clog repairs.

not once did I complain (there’s a better word to use). I was grateful.

5 Reply

Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

Moderator

Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

Putting TP in the trash is the wrong response.

If the plumbing is functional, then this is a tenant responsibility. They need to learn how to use less toilet paper, flush more often, or install a bidet.

In the meantime, you are right to charge them for the plumbing bill.

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6 Reply

Matthew Paul

Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes

Quote from @Nadir M.:

That’s what you recommend they buy?

yup

Don KonipolBusiness Member

Investor · The Woodlands TX / Avon, CT · Member since 2009 · 6k+ posts · 10k+ votes

All the replies above are based on ASSUMPTIONS about the condition of the plumbing.

Is the plumbing able to handle the “standard” amount of toilet paper being flushed and the tenants are just “loading it up” before flushing thereby causing the problem? Or is the plumbing not able to handle a normal amount of TP and rather than the tenants being the problem the fact that the plumbing is inadequate is the problem? So first, you need to determine whether or not the plumbing CAPACITY is up to today’s standards. If so, you’ll need to stand firm with your tenants. If it is not up to today’s standards, and the tenant was not informed of such before he signed the lease, then ethically, if not legally, it’s “on you”. If this is the case Step 1 is to determine a fix and the associated cost. If the cost is reasonable, I would go ahead and make the improvement. If the cost is out of line, I would try to reach an “accommodation” with the tenant. Something like he agrees to flush more often and for every month with no back up I credit his rent $25.
Good luck. What you’re experiencing is the problems, responsibilities, and negotiations, frustrations, expenses, etc. of being a landlord. Most of us doing it a long time have developed systems so that we handle these things efficiently. My particular program is to only invest in class A in residential (I do b, c and even d in commercial), charge the tenant the high end of the scale, and fix immediately anything he wants that’s even semi reasonable. That works for me but probably won’t for a majority of landlords.

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8 Reply

Mike Dymski

Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes

Give him a call, apologize for asking him to put TP in the trash can (that will create common ground and a more reasonable starting point for a resolution), let him know that prior residents did not have issues, have his family curtesy flush, and let him know that future clogs are his responsibility. If that does not work, as you mentioned, feel free to allow him to move out.

7 Reply

Andrew B.

Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes

Quote from @Nadir M.:

The toilet is newer. It’s an older house so older plumbing so def not replacing the entire plumbing. Also just replaced carpet and painted the walls because there was water intrusion from heavy rainfall. That’s costed 3k. Then when they moved in, the washer broke and replaced that…and then the microwave broke and replaced that. So I def haven’t been cheap. House has been rented to three tenants now and they’re the first I’ve had any issues with. I wish I was cheap dude.

Imagine a tenant turning around and saying "I pay my rent every month, I'm not cheap."
You would say, paying the rent is the bear minimum you need to do.

Repairing water damage and fixing broken items is the bear minimum for a landlord. It is literally your job to keep the unit safe and habitable.

I agree with tenant. It is unacceptable to ask them to use a waste basket for their tp. It is not standard practice in America, and you need to disclose items like that before the lease starts.

The way I see it, you have 2 options. Give them the option to move without charging any lease break fees, and disclose the plumbing limitations to the next tenant. Or pay to fix the issue properly.

2 Reply

OP

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

Quote from @Don Konipol:

All the replies above are based on ASSUMPTIONS about the condition of the plumbing.

Is the plumbing able to handle the “standard” amount of toilet paper being flushed and the tenants are just “loading it up” before flushing thereby causing the problem? Or is the plumbing not able to handle a normal amount of TP and rather than the tenants being the problem the fact that the plumbing is inadequate is the problem? So first, you need to determine whether or not the plumbing CAPACITY is up to today’s standards. If so, you’ll need to stand firm with your tenants. If it is not up to today’s standards, and the tenant was not informed of such before he signed the lease, then ethically, if not legally, it’s “on you”. If this is the case Step 1 is to determine a fix and the associated cost. If the cost is reasonable, I would go ahead and make the improvement. If the cost is out of line, I would try to reach an “accommodation” with the tenant. Something like he agrees to flush more often and for every month with no back up I credit his rent $25.
Good luck. What you’re experiencing is the problems, responsibilities, and negotiations, frustrations, expenses, etc. of being a landlord. Most of us doing it a long time have developed systems so that we handle these things efficiently. My particular program is to only invest in class A in residential (I do b, c and even d in commercial), charge the tenant the high end of the scale, and fix immediately anything he wants that’s even semi reasonable. That works for me but probably won’t for a majority of landlords.

So the plumber said the plumbing is fine, it’s just that they’re loading up. I think the two little kids use that bathroom and they’re just throwing too much TP in. No matter of plumbing is brand new or too old, eventually too much TP will clog it. I’ve owned the property for 5 years and this is the first instance of this issue. I get the main backing up but never one toilet. Thank you for your response

OP

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

Quote from @Mike Dymski:

Give him a call, apologize for asking him to put TP in the trash can (that will create common ground and a more reasonable starting point for a resolution), let him know that prior residents did not have issues, have his family curtesy flush, and let him know that future clogs are his responsibility. If that does not work, as you mentioned, feel free to allow him to move out.

I think this is extremely reasonable…thank you Mike.

1 Reply

OP

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Putting TP in the trash is the wrong response.

If the plumbing is functional, then this is a tenant responsibility. They need to learn how to use less toilet paper, flush more often, or install a bidet.

In the meantime, you are right to charge them for the plumbing bill.

Thank you Nathan. I did state to them that this is the first time this issue has happened within the last 5 years I’ve owned the property. The plumber stated twice that it’s too much TP and his kids are the only ones that I believe use that bathroom. I was thinking of installing a new toilet but again, if they’re loading it up, I don’t know how much help that would be

Craig Janet

Member since 2019 · 223 posts · 261 votes

Did the plumber check the water levels in the tank? If it's not adjusted correctly there won't be enough water to flush everything down.

You could also try to find an older toilet with 3.5 gallon flush instead of the standard 1.6 gallon that is the standard now.

Lynn McGeein

Real Estate Agent · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

This post reminded me of when my kids started using toilet without our help. We eventually figured out that they were using like half of a roll each time because they were terrified waste might touch their hands. Was kind of funny, but expensive because took us a while to figure it out -- older home so we assumed it was a plumbing problem, and obviously went through a lot of TP! If similar situation, then any additional repair after plumber informed you of the problem should be the tenant's responsibility.

6 Reply

Joe S.Pro Member

Investor · San Antonio · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

I read some of the replies, but not all of them in detail. So maybe this has been mentioned already.

Have you priced installing macerating toilets?