who should pay for blocked toilet

[Lara91]

This is an embarrasing issue: two weeks after we stayed ONE night with a host, he has asked us to pay for a blocked maserator toilet.

Just to give an idea, we are very clean and houseproud mature couple and we have used Saniflo / maserator type toilets before without any problem and we are aware about their limitations. We already explained in our message to the host, that we could not see where to flush the toilet or ever a toilet cistern, nor a warning message about restricted use of the toilet.. and tried to run water in the sink to activate the flush system etc.. The host is now asking us to pay the estimated GBP 150 plumbers' fee to unblock the toilet.

Anyway, this incident unfortunately happened and NOT due to neglet or lack of respect for the house.  We know for sure that this type of toilets are PRONE TO BLOCKAGES and many Airbnb hosts must be experiencing similar problem quite frequently.

As we are new to Airbnb, we are trying to find the answers to:

1.   Does this incident classify as damages or in fact is part of business maintenance and due to unsatisfactory equipment?

2.  Who shoud pay the plumber's fee to unblock the toilet - the guest or the host? 

3.  If the house description/rules do not specify that the toilet is of this type and do not speculate payment for damages (there is no deposit), can the host expect the guests to pay?

4.  GBP 150 plumbers' fee seems quite high.

5.  Surely the plumber's charges can be reimbursed by the Airbnb Host Guarantee?

6.  Is this likely to escalate into formal dispute if we decline to pay?

Many thanks for your views on this.

[Lara91]

Just to add to the post, that nothing except small amount of toilet paper was disposed in the toilet, nothing that would cause blockages.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Lara91

Unless there is more to the story, I would refuse to pay on the grounds that you did not use the toilet in any way that could cause blockage/damage.

The host guarantee is not as golden as it sounds.  The host might get refunded if exact procedures are followed to submit the claim and that you as a guest admit to the damage.  And if you admit, it would probably bounce back to you as a likely claim for the liability part of your travel insurance.

[Kate157]

@Lara91 Be sure all communication with host is on the Airbnb message system. Personally, I would contact Airbnb with this also. I would not pay for their clogged toilet.