Septic care and tenants (by Lauren IN [IN]) Feb 9, 2009 11:50 PM
Septic care and tenants (by tim [AR]) Feb 10, 2009 3:39 AM
Septic care and tenants (by Wallace CPM [VA]) Feb 10, 2009 4:54 AM
Septic care and tenants (by Rick [IN]) Feb 10, 2009 8:42 AM
Septic care and tenants (by LindaJ [NY]) Feb 10, 2009 2:29 PM
Septic care and tenants (by Brad [IN]) Feb 10, 2009 9:11 PM
Septic care and tenants (by CTLandlord2 [CT]) Feb 11, 2009 6:55 AM
Septic care and tenants (by Bandit [FL]) Feb 11, 2009 7:25 AM
Septic care and tenants (by Leanne [NY]) Mar 13, 2009 10:18 AM
Septic care and tenants (by Lauren IN [IN]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2009 11:50 PM Message:
I am getting ready to rent my first property with a septic tank. I am looking for a checklist/set of written rules or pointers to give to the tenants. Does anyone have any suggestions on an info sheet to give them? (maybe a website?) Perhaps suggestions on what specific brands of laundry detergent to use, or specific things that shouldn't be flushed, or used for cleaning. I am just learning these things myself. --71.156.xx.xxx |
Septic care and tenants (by tim [AR]) Posted on: Feb 10, 2009 3:39 AM Message:
I give all tenants a move-in letter covering things like the thermostatt, appliances, watching for drips under cabinets, etc.
I mention they're on a septic and not a sewer and I tell them to limit bleach at the washer that only soapy water should go down drains and at the toilet only waste and toilet paper and not to use the toilet as a trash can. I tell them to catch food in crumb baskets at kitchen sink and put that in trash. --74.194.xxx.xxx |
Septic care and tenants (by Wallace CPM [VA]) Posted on: Feb 10, 2009 4:54 AM Message:
From my Resident Handbook
F. Plumbing/Septic Systems - You are responsible for keeping all sinks, lavatories and toilet lines open. Do not allow anyone to throw anything into the plumbing system or use it for any purpose other than for what it is designed. You will be responsible for any damage or stoppage after 5 days of occupancy unless it was caused by mechanical failure of the plumbing system. If your system becomes clogged after this date, you are responsible for calling a licensed plumber to clear or repair the toilet at your own expense. No reimbursement will be made for charges not pre-approved by us.
Do NOT use toilet cleaning equipment which indicates it can be flushed down the toilet after use. Do NOT place bleaching or cleaning chemicals in toilet tank
--64.12.xxx.xx |
Septic care and tenants (by Rick [IN]) Posted on: Feb 10, 2009 8:42 AM Message:
Lauren,
A little while after a heay rain go over and flush this toilet. If it flushes normally, that's a good sign. If it is sluggish you will have future problems. About once a year have a septic tank cleaning company come out and remove the stuff from the tank. In, usually, August when we have some long rainless periods, you can tell where the finger system is. The grass will be a little taller and greener in several straight lines. You will want to draw a little map and/or memorize the general location of this. Do not allow automobiles and such to go over this as it may disrupt the tiles and drainage bed, especially in older systems. --12.16.xxx.xxx |
Septic care and tenants (by LindaJ [NY]) Posted on: Feb 10, 2009 2:29 PM Message:
I send a little "notes on this rental" which covers things like odd light switches, special care etc.
I remind them that this is on a septic system which means they cannot send anything down the toilet and drains except water, cleaning products and human waste. They cannot flush tampons, diapers, kitty litter or put grease into the system.
Keep them from driving on the septic area and MAINTAIN the system with periodic pumping and inspection since they will probably not follow directions. This will protect your investment.
I don't use any special soaps, cleaners or additives. If possible try to get the wash water to a dry well instead of a septic system. Grey water does not need to go into a septic and can overload the system. --71.164.xxx.xxx |
Septic care and tenants (by Brad [IN]) Posted on: Feb 10, 2009 9:11 PM Message:
Definately no driving over the tank or leach bed. I disagree with Rick's statement to have the tank cleaned yearly. Tank cleaning frequency goes by usuage, not by time. Most tanks do not need cleaned yearly, but since you just bought this, you need to have someone who knows what they are doing check it. --66.228.xxx.xxx |
Septic care and tenants (by CTLandlord2 [CT]) Posted on: Feb 11, 2009 6:55 AM Message:
Lots of good info. here, I am going to include Wallace's clause and some of this other stuff in my paper work also. --65.91.xxx.xxx |
Septic care and tenants (by Bandit [FL]) Posted on: Feb 11, 2009 7:25 AM Message:
I have a list, I will try to post it tomorrow. Just can't do it today. I would like to make a suggestion to what Wallace said though. I would require them to use a specific plumber if possible. I state that I use Mr. X Plumber and this is the only plumber I authroize to do work on my property. This goes for septic dudes, appliance repair, whatever.
There several reasons for this. My plumber, septic, applicance repair dude, will give me a direct feed back as what exactly happened and usually some inside intelligence info if I aske, such as the overall condition of the place in general. i.e. Was GI Joe doing underwater military operations in the toliet! Second, you don't have some young putz in there telling the tenant that all this work needs to be done to the system and your landlord has put you into an unsafe condition unless $10000.00 worth of needless work is done. I once had an A/C company that I used on a regular basis for years. All my repair companies have very strict instructions. I pay the bill, the contract is between the repair company and me. Not the Tenant. The tenant is to be given "NO" indepth details of the repair. And information provided to the tenant would be cause for me not to pay them for the repairs. This is understood between me and the company prior to agreement to work....
A new "young" A/C dude went to do a repair and told the tenant that the A/C handler was full of mold and a safety hazard! (it was not, had been serviced about seven months earlier. I asked the young man on the phone if he informed this to the tenant. He replied yes! And seemed to be quite proud of himself. I hung up the phone, called the supervisor and torn him up. Reminded him of our long standing business agreement. That same young man installed a new air handler in the unit, did a complete service and at no charge to the Landlord!
I make the tenant pay for all damages that are done by the tenant. So I have a statement that if the repair man on-site determines that the problem is tenant related, then the tenant gets charged PERIOD! The on-site, license repair man is the ruling authority. Period. These guidelines are all placed in the Tenant Rules. The tenant rules are in typed format and are delivered along with all movein documents, ie, copy of lease, welcome letter, Tenant House Rules, Security Accounting notice, etc, which are all sent via certified mail return receipt. Having said that, there are only a few repair guys that I allow direct contact authority with. They are required to contact me prior, but in the event I cannot be reached they can contact repair guy direct. This is the well pump specialist. --12.195.xxx.xxx |
Septic care and tenants (by Leanne [NY]) Posted on: Mar 13, 2009 10:18 AM Message:
I have recently began renting a home in which I just found out that the septic tank "overflows" into the bottom of the front yard. Isn't it the landlords responsibility to fix this? --76.15.xx.xxx |
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