Neighbour Complains of Leak

bleachie

Hello,

A guy from the council came today and said that my neighbour downstairs has complained of a leak coming from my place and if he could check around, which he did and found nothing. I've bought the flat I'm in and so has the neighbour downstairs.

Few days later the neighbour downstairs left a note saying "It appears that you have a leak in your flat, which is damaging my decoration! I need to speak to you about this urgently!". (First contact)

Today I went to visit their place and see where their leak was coming from, instead of expecting the leak to be coming from the ceiling its around 15" from the ceiling in the middle of the wall and behind that is the outside environment, it looked like there was a crack so water may have came from outside and sinked through. Above their wall all I have is a sofa and my floors are marble. I told them I'll have a look and get in-touch.

What would be my next step? I don't have much cash to spare and I'm not looking to give money away.

Any kind of advice would be highly appreciated.

Many Thanks.

ormus

sounds more like a leak in the roof?

Mankysteve

I wouldn't think that this is a burst pipe as you'd get high quantities of water flowing in and from the celling unless you've got a waste pipe or water pipe running though the wall. How much water is coming though or it just damp? How many floors in the building? Private owned flats or rented?

barrymoney

The location of the leak might not be a great clue as to where it starts. I once had a leak from the flat above which appeared a long way from the source, due to the level of the floor I assume. When they lifted their floorboards there was water slushing around, and it found its way down a wall.

bleachie

Thanks for the replies guys.

It's a council estate, 11 floor tower block and I'm on the very top. Both of us have bought the flats from the council.

When he showed me the 'leak' it just looked damp which was around 6", it wasn't dripping.

ormus

how is the building constructed?
the cavity wall may have been breached. and the outside wall damaged.

macman

bleachie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys.

It's a council estate, 11 floor tower block and I'm on the very top. Both of us have bought the flats from the council.

When he showed me the 'leak' it just looked damp which was around 6", it wasn't dripping.

So my bright idea of having a look outside may be more challenging than I thought...

bleachie

well the building is in a bad state. The wall where he has the 'dampness' is known to produce cracks for me anyways, when I saw his wall he had some cracking.

bleachie

This is the building.

***.farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2793069505_a9ec93f5ee.jpg?v=0

I'm thinking to maybe call in a plumper to check for leaks? What do you guys think?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

bleachie wrote: »

This is the building.

***.farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2793069505_a9ec93f5ee.jpg?v=0

I'm thinking to maybe call in a plumper to check for leaks? What do you guys think?

Cant view the picture.......

dander

If the council have already been in and looked and not found anything in your flat, shouldn't they tell you what the next course of action should be? What is a plumber going to find that the council man didn't? Seems ridiculous that the damp problem is in the flat downstairs and yet they start by ripping your place to pieces. Surely they need to start where the problem is and track back from there to find the problem.

I don't think it would be unreasonable to say that you've checked for leaks, the council have checked for leaks and nothing's been found so you don't think the problem's with your flat and leave it at that. Don't be obstructive if the council want to come round and check things, but don't waste your time tearing your flat to pieces for something that sounds like damp, not a leak.