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With a blocked toilet, a plunger and a little patience often do the trick. But if the water also rises in other drains or in neighbouring flats, the main pipe is probably affected – and then the landlord or property manager must be informed immediately. As a rule, the landlord bears the costs, unless a tenant has demonstrably caused the blockage.
First aid: what you can do yourself
- Don’t flush again. Otherwise the toilet may overflow.
- Use a plunger. Press it on firmly and pump vigorously several times.
- Hot – not boiling – water with a little washing-up liquid. Leave it to work, then try again.
- No aggressive chemicals. Drain cleaners can damage pipes and seals and are dangerous if a professional works on the pipe later.
When to report it immediately
- Several drains in the flat are slow or blocked at the same time
- Water rises in the shower or bath when you flush
- Neighbours report similar problems
- There is a smell of sewage in the basement or stairwell
- Water is leaking or getting into walls and ceilings
These signs point to a blockage in the shared pipe. Then a specialist company is needed, and tenants must report the damage without delay.
Who pays in an apartment building?
| Situation | Who bears the costs? |
|---|---|
| Normal deposits, wear and tear, structural defect | Landlord |
| Blockage in the collecting pipe or soil stack, cause unclear | Landlord |
| Tenant has demonstrably flushed wet wipes, hygiene products, cat litter or grease | Tenant |
| Tenant causes further damage through their own repair attempts | Tenant |
The burden of proof is what matters: the landlord must prove that a specific tenant caused the blockage. If that isn’t possible, the costs stay with the landlord. That is why documenting the cause with photos is so important.
Prevention is cheaper
- No wet wipes, hygiene products or food waste down the toilet
- Don’t pour grease into the sink
- A notice in the stairwell with simple rules
- Regular checks of the pipes in older buildings
Fast help in Düsseldorf
Fresh Flush is your contact when something in the building isn’t working. We take the report, commission a registered plumbing company if needed and document the cause with photos. That way, owners and property managers know who bears the costs. More about technical building services, or call us directly: 0173 7033370.
