Who Pays for a Blocked Drain in a Rental Property?

Blocked drains in rental properties can cause stress for both tenants and landlords — especially when it comes to the question:

“Who should pay to fix it?”

The answer is actually simple once you understand what caused the blockage.

At ASL Limited, we’ve been dealing with blocked drains in homes across Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex and Berkshire for more than 25 years. We’ve seen every situation — and most disputes can be avoided by knowing a few key points.

Details of who is responsible for payment will usually be covered in your tenancy agreement and each one may be slightly different, however we find that the split generally follows the below.

The General Rule

   •   If the blockage is caused by the tenant’s use, the tenant is responsible for paying.

   •   If the blockage is caused by a fault in the system, the landlord is responsible for paying.

 

So the real question becomes:

What caused the blockage?

To answer that, we normally carry out a CCTV drain inspection — which shows exactly what’s happening inside the pipe.

 

Common Tenant-Caused Blockages

These are things that shouldn’t go down the drain, but often do:

   •   Wipes (even “flushable” wipes)

   •   Kitchen fats, oils and grease

   •   Sanitary products and cotton buds

   •   Food waste rinsed down the sink

These blockages are the tenant’s responsibility, because they come from day-to-day usage.

 

Common Landlord-Caused Blockages

Sometimes a blockage has nothing to do with how the system is used.

It’s caused by the condition of the drainage system itself, such as:

   •   Cracked or collapsed pipes

   •   Tree roots growing in the pipework

   •   Incorrect installation or poor drainage design

   •   Dip pipes missing inside septic tanks or treatment plants

   •   Old pipes that have subsided and hold water

These issues are the landlord’s responsibility, because they relate to the structure and condition of the property.

 

How to Avoid Arguments

The best way to avoid disagreements is:

1. Do a proper inspection (CCTV survey)

— so both parties can see what the issue is.

2. Explain the cause in simple language, not drainage jargon.

3. Agree together whether the issue is “use” or “system.”

We do this every day — calmly, fairly, and with photos and video to support the explanation.

 

What We Recommend

If you’re a tenant:

Call your landlord first — they may already have a drainage company they trust.

If you’re a landlord or agent:

Arrange a blocked drain clearance + CCTV check so you’re not guessing. It prevents ongoing disputes and repeat callouts.

 

Why Local, Experienced Help Matters

Our blocked drain engineers are fully employed by ASL, trained in:

   •   Blocked drains clearance

   •   Septic tanks and treatment plants

   •   Pump stations and soakaways

   •   Identifying root causes, not just clearing symptoms

They won’t just “rod it and go.”

They clear the blockage and find the reason behind it — so it doesn’t return.

 

Need help now?

Call ASL Limited — we can advise, attend, and help resolve the responsibility fairly.