---
title: Is HOA responsible for sewage overflow between units?
description: I own the street front apartment of a 4-unit HOA in Santa Monica. Recently my neighbor's toilet backed up and the plumber did not clear the sewage line back
---

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# Is HOA responsible for sewage overflow between units?

| [Property Damage & Repairs](https://www.condoassociation.com/blog/topic/property-damage-repairs) |   [Common Area Issues](https://www.condoassociation.com/blog/topic/common-area-issues) |  

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## What do you think? Question:

I own the street front apartment (# 1) of a 4-unit HOA in Santa Monica, CA. Recently my (Apt # 2) neighbor's toilet backed up and the plumber did not clear the sewage line back from Apt # 2 to the alley, instead the plumber erroneously ran the snake toward the street and dislodged a cap to my new sink in a new kitchen cabinet. (My apartment is being renovated.).

Since I live out of town, the overflow sewage into my new kitchen sink and new kitchen cabinet was not discovered until several days later, when my Apt # 2 neighbor's sewage backed up again. Then the sewage overflow into my kitchen was discovered and I was notified.

I called a sewage mitigation company and requested clean-up and decontamination, which was done the next day.

Is the HOA responsible for this bill? I haven't read the bylaws, but previous plumbing work (e.g., recirculating copper for heater hot water) and rain damage repairs have been paid by the HOA.

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## What do you think? Answers (9)

#### What are your thoughts on this topic?

***Comments and postings are not legal advice**, but are the opinions of our readers. This forum and its contents are being monitored. Please be respectful of each other. *  
  

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