Is snaking sewer drains a repair or a safety issue?

Full question:

I am in a rental lease for 1 year. There is a clause that states that I must pay for any repairs that fall under $250.00. I had to call a plumber to snake out my sewer drains that lead to the main one outside. He pulled out a couple of handfuls of tree roots. I need to know if this is considered a repair or does this fall under a safety issue since it was coming up from the outside pipes and when the toilet was flush or water was ran it would cause a back up in the drain.

  • Category: Landlord Tenant
  • Subcategory: Repairs
  • Date:
  • State: Michigan

Answer:

Many repairs can involve safety concerns, but they are still classified as repairs. In your case, snaking the sewer drains to remove tree roots is a repair. Even though it relates to a safety issue, it falls under the repair clause in your lease agreement.

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FAQs

A clause in a lease agreement is a specific provision or section that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant. It can cover various topics, including payment of rent, maintenance responsibilities, and repair obligations. For example, a clause may state that tenants are responsible for repairs under a certain dollar amount, like $250.