Advice on leak

johno77

Afternoon all

Just a little bit of advice required really. We are in the position where we have just accepted an offer last week on our apartment with all the legal stuff kicking off next week after the bank holiday. Anyway yesterday we had quite a big leak from the apartment above us - nothing disastrous and no permanant damage but this has happened a few times over the last four years - twice to be precise but on a small number of occasions (maybe ten or so) there has been a few drips as well. Anyway we have informed the landlord of the apartment above and they have said they will get this sorted. On the HIPS it asked if the apartment has ever been flooded to which we answered no as tbh the previous occasion just ended up being a puddle of water on the floor caused by their washing machine. We have never claimed on insurance for this as there has never been any real damage (the ceiling is made from wooden beams)

Whilst i recognise that no one here may be experts where do we stand with this leak - do we have to tell the buyers or as this is being sorted does this not need to be disclosed.

Thanks in advance

Fire_Fox

If the problem is ongoing and this time it is a big leak then IMO you do need to disclose it, this could happen again far worse at which point the upstairs leaseholder tells your buyer it is not the first time .... ten is not a small number of occasions!! Why does this keep recurring? Have you written to the leaseholder and told him how many times there has been a water leak?

G_M

This is a leak, not a flood (unless the upstairs flat has a river flowing through it).
But you should still disclose. It's clearly an ongoing problem which the flat upstairs have not resolved. They are responsible. If they are tenants, then their landlord is responsible. They should either
1) get a plumber to resolve permenantly, or
2) get their insureres to get a plumber to resolve permenantly, or
3) more likely get the block Management Company to resolve through insurance or directly

Either way, it is upstairs who need to take action but YOU need to put your complaint to them in writing, together with bills, quotes for the damage, and copy to the management company.