What to do as a tenant

  1. Stop using water and stay clear.Keep household members away from the water and stop flushing or running drains until the line is cleared.
  2. Notify the landlord or manager in writing.Call or text, then follow up with an email or written message that states the date, time and what you saw. Keep a copy.
  3. Photograph your belongings.Before anything is moved or thrown away, photograph your own items that were affected, with close-ups.
  4. Call your renters insurer.Ask whether your policy covers personal property damaged by sewer backup, and whether it pays for temporary housing if the unit is not livable.
  5. Ask about the plan.Ask the landlord who will clear the line, who will clean, and the expected timeline for the affected rooms.

Who usually handles what

Leases differ, and Colorado tenant law has habitability protections; check your lease and ask for advice if there is a dispute.

Landlord or owner

  • Clearing the sewer line and plumbing repairs
  • Cleanup and removal of building materials such as carpet and drywall
  • Repairs to walls, floors and fixtures
  • Their own property insurance claim

Tenant

  • Prompt notice and access for repairs
  • Documenting and claiming personal belongings through renters insurance
  • Not causing clogs, such as flushing wipes
  • Keeping records of communications and expenses

Habitability and basement units

Thornton and the surrounding cities have plenty of rented single-family homes and some basement units in older houses. A tenant living on the lowest level is the most exposed to a backup and may be the last to be told about plumbing history. If the bedroom or the only bathroom is in the affected area, the unit may not be reasonably livable until cleanup is done.

Colorado has a residential habitability law for rentals that addresses conditions like working plumbing and sanitary conditions. The details of notice and remedies are specific, so read the current rules from the state or a tenant resource, or ask a legal aid organization, rather than acting on general summaries.

Questions to put to the landlord

  1. Has the line been cleared, and what did the plumber find?
  2. Who will do the cleanup, and will they remove the carpet and lower drywall?
  3. When can I safely use the affected rooms again?
  4. Will rent be adjusted for the period the space cannot be used?
  5. Has this line backed up before, and has anything been done to prevent it?

General information for Thornton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.