Quote Quoting johnsamashin
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Thanks JK. The plumber repaired meaning they unclogged the toilet with a snake. According to the plumber he encountered resistance on the segment of the drain pipe that runs from the toilet bowl to the main drain pipe of the house. I.e. there was something big enough to clog the large diameter pipe and it was located in the section of pipe coming directly from the toilet and not from any other location in the house. The tenant denies that they placed anything in the toilet that could have clogged it. However they also had friends over that night. In my opinion it's pretty clear here that they clogged and are responsible for the clog. What isn't clear is who is responsible for the valve not working and leading to the overflow.
But your opinion is self-serving, that's why it's not admissible in court. You have PROVE that they did something to clog pipe. How far did the snake go in? Are you talking 2'? 5'? 20? how far?

Having friends over is hardly definitive, either.

As to the valve: the valve in the toilet tank can stick open but a clog in the sewer pipe won't cause that, that's simply a faulty valve and is unquestionably the landlords responsibility as it pertains to the mechanisms inside the toilet.

Both of these events conspired to create one hell of a mess but the clog is still likely your problem, not the tenants. You'll have to pony up.

The trials and tribulations of being a landlord. It's why I'm not, in spite of having had the opportunities.