I can't believe this is happening
I opened my emails to find I am being billed by Housing for quite large amounts for the plumbing visits for a blockage that wasn't my fault.
It's true that I am the one who requested the plumbers and eventually because they could not resolve the problem a video camera was deployed. This resulted in the quite large blockage of cooking grease, paper towels, baby wipes and tree roots being removed from a CRACKED sewer pipe.
None of the blockage was caused by me, and I'm the one who had to put up with a bathroom floor covered in stinking sewage without access to my shower, my toilet and my washing machine for several days.
I shouldn't have to pay for that. I have contacted my local MP and also emailed Housing that I shouldn't have to and won't be paying those bills.
I wonder how many people know they are endangering their sewer pipes with cooking grease, paper towels and baby wipes. Grease I would never tip into the sink, but paper towels and cotton wool I often dropped into the toilet :(
ReplyDeleteHels; I have no idea how many put such things down the toilets, but I do know most people here don't, they are all older and know better. Paper towels and cottonwool should NEVER go down the toilet, paper towels are not designed to disintegrate like toilet paper does.
DeleteNo, no, no. You pay your rent and you aren't responsible for costs. Your landlord is responsible, in your case the housing authority. It is very cheeky that you received a bill, and I wonder how many people would just pay it, when they should not.
ReplyDeleteAndrew; I have received two bills, the larger one being for the use of the video camera. The original reason for the blockage, as with most blockages here is the cracked sewer pipe allowing tree roots to enter. That most certainly isn't my fault and if the cracked pipes were replaced instead of repeatedly reamed out by plumbers we wouldn't have to call for plumbers so often. I hope others also refuse to pay, but assume they probably just pay up.
DeleteYou should not be billed for this work. You reported it, you didn't cause it.
ReplyDeletejabblog; I reported it and requested the plumbers, but I certainly did not cause it, though I had to suffer the stinking mess coming up through my floor drain.
DeleteIt sounds like bureaucracy at work. Hopefully it will all get straightened out in your favor!
ReplyDeleteBob; bureaucracy taking advantage of people who might not realise they don't have to pay these costs. I hope it all gets straightened out quickly. I don't do well living with stress.
DeleteI am hoping there will be a good outcome in your favor. No you should not have to pay it.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie; thank you, I also hope for a good outcome.
DeleteThat... NO.
ReplyDeleteAs you maybe know I am on the other side and my tenant had the same problem.
Of course I (had to) pay(ed)!!!
Fingers and toes crossed you do NOT have to pay, you had all the icky stuff already!
HaHA, I posted again today, maybe have a look it was my lucky day today!!!
Iris; thank you. I know that if I owned the property I would have to pay, and if I had been the cause of the blockage, then I would agree to pay, but I wasn't the cause and I had to put up with the resulting stinky mess for several days as the sewage just kept flowing.
DeleteGood luck with this battle. It is ridiculous. Renters don't pay these costs.
ReplyDeleteJenn Jilks; thank you. I know that renters don't pay such costs.
DeleteLooking for new blogger friends, I came up on your blog, and I'm giggling because this was not the best of times for a visit. You certainly shouldn't be charged for something like this and I so hope it will be straightened out soon, but so frustrating while it's going on.
ReplyDeleteInger; welcome to drifting, your name is familiar, probably I have seen you on other blogs.
DeleteNo, no and no. I hope that this is resolved quickly.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child; thank you, I also hope for quick resolution, I don't do well with stress.
DeleteThat's ridiculous. I don't see how this is your responsibility just because you made the call. Especially if the baby wipes and other clogging stuff came from houses other than yours!
ReplyDeleteSteve Reed; it is ridiculous and none of the clogging stuff came from my flat. I know not to put things like that down the drains. I follow the three P's rule: pee, poop and paper (toilet paper only)
DeleteThat is not right! You went to Housing to report the drain issue. THEY arranged for the plumber. It's not like you took it upon yourself to call a plumber. I wonder if there was some mix-up because you went to the Housing office in person the first time, rather than calling or emailing, and there is not a record of your request. Then again, maybe they're just being rumpusholes and trying to stick you with the bills.
ReplyDeleteVal; Housing keeps a record of all requests even those made in person. They enter all details on their computers, at the time I showed the photos I had on my phone and when the problem worsened I sent emails with photos.
DeleteDon't let them get away with that!
ReplyDeleteKathy G; I'll do my best, but I'm not good with confrontation and stress. The photos I have should help with proving the blockages were not my fault.
DeleteUgh. They're just trying to make their mistakes and laziness in maintenance be paid by someone else. I'm glad you know not to pay for it and to fight back.
ReplyDeletemessymimi; I hope I am successful, I am so tense from the stress. As if I didn't already suffer enough with the stinky mess all over my bathroom/laundry. Many of the sewer drains here are very old and probably cracked. Correct maintenance would be to replace any that become blocked from tree roots which then causes further problems. Then when people flush the wrong things that just makes things worse.
DeleteThat is all stuff we are warned to never flush. I hope you can get this resolved.
ReplyDeleteJoanne; I hope so too. I guess there are some people who were never told what Not to flush.
DeleteThis is awful - I can imagine the stress when you opened that email. I'm not a confrontational person either but when I get steamed up I can do it. You are taking the right steps. I hope there is a quick resolution in your favour so you don't have to worry for too long. It's one of my nightmares to have sewage back up. And yours was several days! Ack! Wishing you luck and a spine of steel ...
ReplyDeletejenny_o; thank you. I can still faintly smell it though the room has been cleaned, possibly it is stuck in my imagination.
DeleteA set of apartment where I live had trouble with the sewer/septic tank. They ask people to quite putting down paper towels, wipes and such. So they ended up sending a bill divided by all the units. I believe they was 32 of them. My guess none of the unit paid it. But it stop the people flushing down items that wasn't allowed.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Dora; I think people moving in should all be given typed sheets with strict instructions about what NOT to flush etc.
DeleteNot your fault the pipes are old, not your fault that the muck landed in your bathroom etc. It's the Housing who owes the money, not you. Glad you went to your MP and hopefully something will be done, also your email was a good idea too. I wouldn't be paying. I'm sure you will win. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D; I'm feeling less stressed knowing so many are behind me on this. Thank you.
DeleteThe bill is NOT your problem.
ReplyDeleteMike; agreed, but still stressful until things get worked out.
Delete