Recover blockage costs from landlord

Questioner

Dear, I rent an apartment and pay homeowners' association (HOA) fees on top of the rent. Now I have a blockage in the sewer drain, and according to the landlord, I have to pay for the costs. This drain is used by all floors above and below me. I've had it cleared, and as a result, I'm a thousand euros poorer. I want to recover this from the landlord. kind regards R.

Questioner

Do you have any proof of the cause of the blockage? A standpipe blockage can usually be traced back to some kind of improper individual use. If that's not the case, or if you rent a property, the landlord will have to pay the costs, or in the first case, the person who caused it. I would definitely start by submitting the bill to the homeowners' association (VvE) or your landlord. Not all homeowners' association fees are legally allowed to be included in the rent, only those related to the private area.