The responsibility to pay for opening a sewer depends on the location and cause of the blockage. As a general rule, the property owner or housing association is responsible for opening the common drains, while the owner of the apartment pays for opening the internal drains in his/her apartment. In rented accommodation, the landlord is responsible for blockages caused by normal wear and tear, but the tenant pays if the blockage is due to misuse. We will now explain in more detail when each party is responsible for the costs.
Who is responsible for the cost of opening the drain?
Responsibility for the cost of opening a sewer is primarily determined by where the blockage is located and what has caused it. In owner-occupied apartments, the tenant is responsible for opening the internal drains in his/her apartment, while the housing company is responsible for the common drains and mains. In rented accommodation, the situation is a little more complicated, as the division of responsibility between landlord and tenant depends on the cause of the blockage.
In condominiums, the board is responsible for maintaining and opening the common plumbing in the building. This includes main sewers, plot drains and other common systems. The tenant is responsible for the drainage inside the apartment, which starts at the floor drain or toilet seat connection point and ends at the apartment boundary.
In rented accommodation, the landlord is in principle responsible for all repairs to the apartment, including opening drains. This is based on the Tenancy Act, which obliges the landlord to keep the apartment in a tenantable condition. However, the tenant may have to pay for the opening if the blockage is caused by his negligence or abuse.
In practice, you should always check the tenancy agreement and the rules of the building society, as they may contain more detailed provisions on the division of responsibilities. If in doubt, contact your landlord or property manager before ordering the opening of a drain.
When does the tenant have to pay for the opening of the drain?
The tenant is liable to pay for the opening of the sewer when the blockage is caused by his/her action or negligence. This includes situations where materials that do not belong in the sewer have entered the sewer or the sewer has been misused. Normal wear and tear and blockages due to age are always the responsibility of the landlord.
Typical situations where the tenant pays for the opening:
- Paper towels, wet wipes or other inappropriate materials have been thrown down the drain
- Construction waste or large solid objects have been discharged into the floor drain
- A large amount of grease has been poured down the kitchen drain, causing a blockage
- Hair is left to accumulate in the drain without regular cleaning
Wear and tear caused by normal living conditions is not the responsibility of the tenant. If the drain becomes blocked despite normal use and proper treatment, the landlord will be responsible for the cost. This applies, for example, in situations where old pipes are blocked or structural problems cause repeated blockages.
The burden of proof is often challenging. The landlord must be able to prove that the blockage is specifically caused by the tenant. A professional plumber can establish what caused the blockage at the time of opening, which will make it easier to establish liability.
What is the difference between a blockage in a property and a blockage in an apartment?
The difference between a blockage in a property and a blockage in an apartment is relevant for the payer. Apartment sewer refers to the sewer lines inside the apartment that serve only that apartment. A property sewer, on the other hand, is a common pipe system serving several flats or the whole building.
An internal drain typically starts at the floor drain, sink or toilet seat connection and continues to the boundary of the apartment. If there is a blockage in this section, it is the responsibility of the occupant. In an owner-occupied dwelling, the tenant pays for the opening himself; in a rented dwelling, the responsibility is determined by the principles mentioned above.
The common drainage of the property includes:
- Trunk sewers running vertically through the building
- On-site drains connecting the building to the municipal sewerage system
- Common horizontal sewers serving several dwellings
- Stormwater drains and other common systems
In practice, the difference is often identified by whether the blockage affects several homes. If neighbours also have drainage problems, it is likely to be a shared drain. If the problem only affects your own flat, the blockage is probably on the apartment side.
In case of doubt, a qualified plumber will be able to determine the location of the blockage. This information is important because it determines who is responsible for the costs.
What do you do when your drain gets blocked?
When you notice a pipe clog in your home, act quickly to minimize the damage. Immediately turn off the water to all appliances connected to the sewer in the home. Do not flush the toilet or use a washing machine or dishwasher as this will make the situation worse and could cause water damage.
First steps to take in the event of a blockage:
- Stop using water in all sewer connections in the apartment immediately
- Check whether the problem affects several drains or just one
- Contact your property manager, landlord or the building's maintenance company
- Take photos of the situation to document any damage
- Do not try to open the drain yourself with strong chemicals that can damage the pipes
In a rental property, always contact the landlord or property manager first. They will guide you on how to deal with the situation and who to call for a plumber. This way you avoid any confusion about payment. If it is an emergency situation where water is threatening to cause damage, you can order a plumber on call and inform the landlord immediately.
In an owner-occupied apartment, you can hire a plumber directly if the problem is clearly internal to your apartment. If you suspect the blockage is in a communal drain, contact the property manager first. The building management company often has a contract with a particular plumbing company, and if you order through them, the costs will be borne directly by the building management company.
In an emergency, when sewage water threatens to rise to the floor or cause damage, do not hesitate to call the plumber on duty. We offer a 24-hour plumber service, with our professionals arriving quickly, in as little as 15 minutes. We'll give you the first advice on how to prevent damage over the phone, and we'll also help you find out who's responsible for the costs.
Document the situation carefully by taking photos and making a note of what happened before the blockage. This will make it easier to sort out liability issues later. Also keep all receipts and invoices related to the opening of the drain.
