'$1,000 in water has literally gone down the drain': New landlord refuses to do repairs, so tenant refuses to fix leaky sink even though he's a plumber

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Apr 23, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

"My lease clearly states that all water-related issues are management's problem. I don't pay for water or gas utility, it's included in my rent... I'm perfectly capable of fixing the issue, but out of spite, I refuse to. I had a small leak at my house once, and it drove my bill almost $100 for the month over normal. I figure at least $1000 in water has literally gone down the drain, not to mention, the water is also being heated by the gas water heater."

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  • When it comes to incompetent landlords, sometimes you just have to get a little petty. For example, Redditor u/FlyCivil909 runs a business in a building where he got a great deal on rent. However, the original owner sold the place and now some management company owns the building and they are not doing their duty as landlords. (Surprise, surprise… not.) So he decides to take some easy money out of their pockets. How so?

    Well, one of the sinks in the unit has a leak. He's asked the landlord to come handle it several times, since water is clearly marked as the landlord's responsibility in the lease, but they keep refusing. But you see, this guy grew up with a plumber father and he knows at least the basics of the trade. So he very much can fix the issue himself. However, he also knows that a leaky faucet, especially one using the gas-powered water heater (gas is also the landlord's responsibility), can really rack up utility costs. And since these specific costs go to the management company, he's just letting the dollar signs go up and up with every drop of water going down the drain. Now that is some very petty revenge. See for yourself below!

    Anyway, let's take a break from the petty and dive into some fun memes! May we internet you in some spot-on Gen X memes?

  • 01
    "I called my [landlord], and he proceeded to tell me it wasn't their problem."
    via Pxhere
  • 02
    Landlord refuses to make repairs... I own a small business, and have been renting a unit in a complex for about a decade. A few years ago the long time owner of the complex sold the property to a new group. Initially, they made some nice improvements to the property, updating signage, repaving the parking lot, painting the facade and some other cosmetic work.
    via FlyCivil909
  • 03
    The terms of my original lease were that the owner of the property handled all repairs to vital infrastructure (plumbing, roofing, etc) The previous owner thought that should be his responsibility since it was his property at the end of the day.
    via FlyCivil909
  • 04
    During the course of some of the renovations, the power to my A/C unit was cut. I didn't realize it as it was winter time when the repairs happened. I run a business where we don't need the heat, and I only run the A/C in the late spring through summer. So there's literally a few months where we're not using the HVAC at all.
    via FlyCivil909
  • 05
    I called my property manager, and he proceeded to tell me it wasn't their problem, and that the terms of our lease were now NNN. Luckily it was just an issue with the outlet; and I was able to switch the plug with no issues or additional cost to me. There have been a few other issues that the management refused to address that have been mildly infuriating, namely their repeated insistence that we have a triple net lease.
    via FlyCivil909
  • 06
    A few months later, we had a water leak. The valve to toilet had failed. Once again the landlord tried to tell me it was my issue, but I fought back this time and produced a copy of my lease that clearly stated that all water related issues are management's problem. I don't pay for water or gas utility, and it's included in my rent. This is going to be important later.
    via FlyCivil909
  • 07
    Begrudgingly, he sent a plumber to repair the toilet. While he was here, I mentioned that our utility sink was also dripping, and he should have the plumber look at it. He declined to do so. The drippy faucet has turned into a pretty steady stream. We tried turning the water off at the valves, but the old gate valves have so much calcium build up, they still won't close all the way. I have mentioned it to our landlord repeatedly, and still no repair. It's been about a year; and the faucet contin
    via FlyCivil909
  • 08
    My dad was a plumber for awhile, and I'm perfectly capable of fixing the issue, but out of spite, I refuse to. I had small leak at my house once, and it drove my bill almost $100 for the month over normal. I figure at least $1000 in water has literally gone down the drain, not to mention, the water is also being heated by the gas water heater.
    via FlyCivil909
  • 09
    9lobaldude • 3d ago Stupidity, greed and hardheadedness ↑ 164 Share 도 + More replies CoderJoel • 3d ago Eventually this will drain him. 110 + More replies ↑ Share ...
    via 9lobaldude
  • 10
    dsikkema 3d ago Did you sign a new lease with the new owner? If not, they should need to honour the original lease agreement. 29 Reply ↑ Share FlyCivil909 OP. 3d ago I have not. My original lease term expired 2 years ago. I had planned on buying a building, but those plans were set back by the craziness from the pandemic. Per the terms of our lease, we're month to month now, with 90 days notice for any changes to the current agreement. 30 days to notice to vacate. That's part of the reason I hav
    via dsikkema
  • 11
    Leather-Lab8120 • 3d ago Is there any other rental / for sale space that your business go grow at? Time to look over the real estate market 7 ♡ ☐ Reply ↑ Share FlyCivil909 OP • 3d ago Right now I'm in a rate that's below market for my area, so it's beneficial as a renter for me to stay. I had a plan to buy a place when my lease expired 2 years ago, but the market went nuts post cavid. I've been patiently looking, and we're finally seeing spaces that will work for me come on the market, and at pr
    via Leather-Lab8120
  • 12
    karebear66 3d ago Here's the thing. The new owners need to either honor your existing lease or craft a new one. Most comercial leases now are triple-net NNN. I don't know the laws in your state. I don't know if they have to honor the old lease. I bought a property and leased to a jack-in-box. That guy went bankrupt, and the corporation took over the lease, and I honored the terms of the old lease. 253 ☐ Reply ↑ Share
    via karebear66

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utilities landlord entitled landlord plumber small business plumbing building management petty revenge what goes around comes around entitled people karma pay back justice served entitled r-entitled Reddit water utilities karma entitled people
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