High Court, by way of an appeal from the Residential Tenancies Board on a point of law, affirms a determination that the disposal by the tenant of coffee granules and foodstuffs down a drain was a 'non-normal' which had given rise to a blockage costing €88,000 to remove, and that the tenancy tribunal had been entitled to make that determination and award the statutory maximum sum of €20,000 against the tenant.
Residential tenancies - whether tenant in breach of obligations - Residential Tenancies Act 2004, s.16(f) - appeal on point of law - "acts of the occupants in disposing of grease, coffee granules and food waste which caused a blockage in the waste pipe.” - water damage to property - order to pay €20K damages - excess of normal wear and tear - obligations of tenants - tenant since 2015 - property used to house staff and clients - blockage found in 2021 - figure of €88K for repairs - notice of termination - whether disposal of coffee and food waste down drain was a 'non-normal use' - whether RTB made legitimate determination - whether reasonable decision-maker could have made finding.