Liability of Landlord and Tenant

Questioner

There was a flood at the downstairs neighbours (read landlord) due to a blocked riser pipe as a result of food waste. Part of it was reimbursed by the landlord's insurer. There was a deductible of 1000 euros. The landlord holds the tenants liable for this. Is the landlord or tenant liable for this?

Lawyer

A blockage is major maintenance work on the rented property which has clearly not been carried out for a long time and therefore the costs are for the landlord unless he can demonstrate that the tenant himself has failed to do so.