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woodbutcher_2

If it were me i would just ignore her.You've done nothing wrong and if she says you have let her prove it.Just because a plumber says it's your fault doesn't mean it is.It's his word against yours and it's not like he is the law is it?

Is it an insurance situation? because if so they will likely send round an assessor.My neice was flooded a few weeks back and the insurance company couldn't have been more helpful.Even offered to put her up in a hotel while the damage was sorted.

I'd stop worrying and see what she does.

dieselthebusdriver

Thanks people. I've got the letter written up and the other half is going to photocopy it tomorrow before giving her a copy. We've already spoken to our letting agent but if it IS the washing machine then the landlord is not liable for any costs and we'll have to make it ourselves but both of us (and other people I've described the situation to) are pretty certain that it isn't the washing machine. I remember when my last washing machine actually flooded, man it was everywhere so my God we knew about it! I can't see how this one could flood her property when I haven't turned it on in several days without me noticing! I know I work all hours but still!!

bluflashlite

I agree with the thinking that this is more likely to be some hidden leaky pipe-work than your washing machine. I'd go the route of advising both of your neighbours below to contact the landlord themselves. The landlord should certainly be insured for the resultant damage to both the flats below yours, IF it does prove to be a hidden leaky pipe.

However, speaking as a tenant myself, it's my unfortunate experience that landlords often end up with the cowboy contractors too, (lets face it, the cowboys will under-bid in order to win contracts & while respectable tradesmen submit realistic bids, landlords get hooked-into by believing the cowboy-hype!). This scenario might result in the landlord's contractor also "assuming" your washer to be the culprit, without it actually being the true cause!

So,in the meantime, instead of letting somebody else's plumber fiddle about with your machine, choose your own reputable tradesman for that second opinion and perhaps ask him to certify that your washer doesn't leak while investigating where the leak-source really is?

Personally, I wouldn't be accepting any liability at all on this UNTIL it's been proven to me "beyond reasonable doubt" that my washing machine, or any pipes I'd had fitted to install it, were actually responsible!

dieselthebusdriver

Thanks blu. Letting Agents are in the know and agree with us getting our own plumber to assess the situation so we're going to arrange it for this coming week cos t'other half has 2 days off during the week this week so good opportunity to get it sorted! Shall divert her to my landlord if it is "certified" that it was NOT our washing machine, but a pipe problem. Other than it being a leaky pipe I dunno what it could be! I'm no plumber myself!

maninthestreet

I'm still a little confused - what 'repairs' did this 'plumber' make to your washing machine and/or ancillary pipework when he was in your flat? He must have carried out some repair, otherwise the problem would still exist.

amcluesent

Having had some leaks chez moi, you need a heck of a lot of water to cause damage on the ground floor from the top floor; plasterboard ceilings soak up a lot!

I can't see anyway that a leak from the washing machine drum or the visible supply and waste pipes could do this, but it would be very obvious with water staining etc. in your flat.

It would be plausible for hidden pipe to leak, then maybe the water follows conduit etc. to appear in the ground floor. But that would a LL liability IMHO.

dieselthebusdriver

Well we got our own plumber and he said there's no way our washing machine leaked into her house otherwise there would be significant damage to our property too.. Which there is not! So we have sent this to her with a covering letter politely saying "stick it up your nose".. and have thus far not heard anything since! x

savemoney

Yawn streetslocal we know what you are up to, boring.