I know this is not the best community for this, but you folks seem to know a lot about renting laws. If there is a better community you can direct me to, please do
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My brother had this problem once, and he lives in a high rise on the 15th floor (of about 20 or so). Luckily the company in charge of the building had a plumber on call and they took care of it. It was indeed random stupid things being flushed down the toilet by another tenant. Unfortunately the plumber and company took care of it so I'm not sure about your recourse, but I just wanted to confirm that the landlord made a pretty sound judgment as to the cause (though accusing one person of being the cause just because she happens to be female is ridiculous). I wish you the best of luck!!
Even when I was young and had just gotten my period it never even occurred to me to attempt to flush something large like that.
I REALLY hope this gets better for you soon. I think no matter what you do, you need to be VERY adamant to your landlord that this is NO LONGER an acceptable solution and you are taking steps to fix this because this is NOT OKAY. Let us know what happens!
That's what I was wondering. Even if somehow the size didn't set off alarm bells (somehow ... ), there's also the fact that most have adhesive on the back, wouldn't one worry that it'd stick to the side of the toilet (inside) or pipe? Yeesh, people are stupid.
And someone else mentioned somebody having flushed washcloths, too! What in the world?!?
OP, I'm sorry, I have nothing useful to add, but it looks like you've gotten lots of good information - so good luck, and tell us what comes of it!
I was wondering the same thing then I remembered my Dad telling me that my Moms aunt was throwing washcloths down the garbage disposal when she was finished with them. So it doesn't surprise me that someone would flush a pad. o_O
We recently had our main lines (the major outflow pipe from the house to the road) flushed here in Massachusetts. It cost around $350 or so. So, for someone who has the right tools (a main line cleaner, not a regular plumber) it was an easy job and not terribly expensive. Maybe show your landlord some estimates from a few different companies. If it's a building-wide problem a few hundred dollars seems very cheap.
Though this isn't really a court-interest thing, when I had trouble with a landlord in Boston the Harvard Small Claims Advisory Board was extremely kind and helpful. I had no knowledge of landlord-tenant law and they were very prompt and responding and helped me look up the pertinent information in all sections of MGL. They are a free service and I can't recommend it enough. http://masmallclaims.org/
I am so sorry. We just went through this same problem, in a rental house where we are the only tenants but the landord is a student and wasn't really equipped to deal with this problem quickly. We ended up calling Roto-Rooter and having the line snaked (kept the receipt and she took the amount off the next month's rent) and then not being able to flush solids or take long showers for two weeks while she got estimates to fix the problem (no grade in the line that runs from the house to the sewer line). We got very familiar with the stores in the area that stayed open late. I took in a couple late-night movies so I'd have access to a toilet. I wish you luck. Hang in there and definitely contact your Health Department. At the very least you should get a reduction in your rent due to loss of use. Check for tenants' rights organizations in your area that can give you legal tips on how to proceed. I know in our state there is a requirement that landlords address issues of this nature within 24-72 hours. No one should have to live
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Just want to offer you my sympathy. I used to live in a basement apartment in an old building and this happened to me too, a few times over the course of a couple of years. Our landlord was good about getting someone out really quickly and we deducted rubbber gloves, bleach, a new bathmat, and a new mop from our rent (with prior approval from him) each time it happened. There were problems with tree roots and also other people in our building flushing tampons. Good luck and I hope you get it sorted out soon.
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Even when I was young and had just gotten my period it never even occurred to me to attempt to flush something large like that.
I REALLY hope this gets better for you soon. I think no matter what you do, you need to be VERY adamant to your landlord that this is NO LONGER an acceptable solution and you are taking steps to fix this because this is NOT OKAY. Let us know what happens!
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That's what I was wondering. Even if somehow the size didn't set off alarm bells (somehow ... ), there's also the fact that most have adhesive on the back, wouldn't one worry that it'd stick to the side of the toilet (inside) or pipe? Yeesh, people are stupid.
And someone else mentioned somebody having flushed washcloths, too! What in the world?!?
OP, I'm sorry, I have nothing useful to add, but it looks like you've gotten lots of good information - so good luck, and tell us what comes of it!
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Though this isn't really a court-interest thing, when I had trouble with a landlord in Boston the Harvard Small Claims Advisory Board was extremely kind and helpful. I had no knowledge of landlord-tenant law and they were very prompt and responding and helped me look up the pertinent information in all sections of MGL. They are a free service and I can't recommend it enough.
http://masmallclaims.org/
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