My parents run a shop at a commercial location. There has been a drainage pipe that has somehow become corroded and must be replaced. This is a very costly project.

The pipes are such that the waste of every single shop in the complex will run through the corroded pipe.

Now, our argument is that because the plumbing is shared, we shouldn't be held responsible for repairs just because they are under our shop. The plumbers say that we shouldn't be liable, but they're not lawyers. We've had others tell us that shared plumbing is part of the structure, and the landlord should pay just as if the wall collapsed due to age.

Does anyone know who is liable or have any advice? We are going to have a lawyer read our lease, but we don't know what to do beyond that. We live in Los Angeles, if that matters.

Hi, I'm in Orange County and what I remember for Real Estate classes for California the plumbing costs are determined by your lease. I would assume that if the plumbing problem started in your shop you would be responsible but since it's under your shop and part of the entire building's problem the owner should pay for it unless he was able to prove that your parents were directly responsible. Good luck!

If you're not the owner why would you ask such a question? Only the owner is responsible for repairs not the renters! When you get evicted from that location I have a contract I want you to sign immediately!

"The pipes are the landlords, and the fullness there-of."

Unless there's some clause in the lease making the
tenant responsible, (doubtful), it's a general maintenance item.
You might be held responsible for piping installed for, and dedicated to,
your use, but not piping for the general use of the whole building.

The landlord should be responsible. Unless you have done things that have overused it extensively, it's part of the "structure".

I totally agree, it's the landlord responsibility! Off course, unless you've agreed to other terms, which you have discussed before the problems occured.