A couple renting an apartment in Jersey City is facing a $2,000 plumbing bill that their landlords are blaming on them due to the presence of their 10-month-old baby. The landlords claim that non-flushable baby wipes that they say were used by the tenants caused a significant clog in the sewer ejector pump.
The tenants, who have lived in the apartment for over three years, say they have repeatedly complained about chronic plumbing issues, particularly with the toilet not flushing properly. They have resorted to methods like flushing hot water, baking soda, and dish soap down the toilet in an attempt to keep it functional. However, their concerns went unaddressed until the landlords finally sent a plumber after numerous complaints.
Upon completing his work, the plumber did not speak directly to the tenants. Instead, he relayed his findings to the landlords, stating that the clog was due to non-flushable baby wipes. The landlords then sent an email to the tenants, demanding that they pay for the repair costs, citing the plumber’s video proof as evidence. The tenants maintain they never flushed any baby wipes, disposing of them in diaper bags in their garbage instead.
The tenants are frustrated. They point out that the toilet has had persistent issues long before they moved in and raise concerns about the plumbing history of the building itself, suggesting that the landlords might be trying to shift the blame to avoid covering the costs themselves. In their view, the claim that they are responsible solely because they have a baby seems unfounded…