Who pays when a blocked drain is caused by tree roots in a rental?

Blocked drains are one of the most commonly disputed repair items in rentals, and almost all of the dispute is about cause. The bill follows the cause, not the person who reported it.

Landlord's cost

• Tree roots, which is by far the most common cause in older Australian suburbs.
• Collapsed, displaced or deteriorated pipework.
• Inadequate grade or a design fault in the drainage.
• Anything pre-existing at the start of the tenancy.

Tenant's cost

• Items that should not have gone down the drain: wet wipes, sanitary products, nappies, cooking fat.
• Foreign objects, which a camera inspection will show.
• Damage caused by the tenant's own attempts to clear it.

Get the evidence

Ask for a copy of the plumber's report and any camera footage. A report that says root intrusion at a stated distance settles the question immediately, and a plumber will usually provide it on request. Where no report is produced and you are being charged, that is worth pushing back on in writing.