QUESTION
Does the Landlord have the right to charge us for a septic tank pump out?
Asked on Apr 17th, 2025 on Landlord and Tenant Law - Florida
More details to this question:
We moved in 2 year and 4 months ago. 7 days of moving in there was a septic backup. The landlord replaced the drainfield and I believe pumped it. 11 months later another back up, at this point the new septic guy said there it was completely compacted and there was no way it was pumped correctly, and it was pumped out. 4 months later another clog, pumped out again. 6 months later another clog pumped out again this time, "grease" is mentioned. We do not put grease in the tank, we do everything to avoid these backups, we put the chemicals they tell us too, we use the toilet paper we tell us too, all we can guess is that the grease was already present from last tenants and now its affected the new drain field... Now presently there was another pump out 7 months later and the septic guy said to us he believes the system will fail..now the landlord is accusing us of putting grease and is saying we will be charged for next pump out. We have 7 more months of our lease
1 ANSWER
Consumer Debt Collector Harassment & Abuse Attorney serving Tampa, FL
Partner at
Tischhauser Law Group
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This is a common issue. Unfortunately, after a "pump out" occurs, a properly maintained septic tank and drain field shoudl go YEARS without further issue. If there is "grease" or other improper materials found in the septic tank afterwards, most LL are going to take the position that the "proof is in pudding" that the current tenant is causing the problem and responsible for the repairs, pump out, etc. Equally, tenants will typically deny any such conduct, even when it is undeniable that they are, simply adding to such controversies. If you expect to oppose this YOU will need to secure a septic expert to examine the system and establish that you are not the problem causing the pump outs. That will at least give you a legitimate basis to dispute the landlords accusations otherwise. By example, this may all be caused by a bad liftstation pump, that needs to be replaced by the LL.
Answered on Apr 29th, 2025 at 6:24 AM
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