House guest flooded the bath; water seeped through the floor to the downstairs flat

phill99

Dragon_of_Consumer_Power wrote: »

Thanks guys. He doesn't have any personal liability insurance. How much, roughly, do you think this could cost? I know it's hard to be sure without seeing the specific damage, but we're looking at replacing the plaster on the bathroom ceiling, some damage to contents in the airing cupboard, and possibly water damage to the electrics.

Don't offer to pay anything. The insurers will pick up the cost. You offering to fix this and tat will only confuse issues. Just let the insurance company handle it all.

The most yo should offer to pay is the excess for the lady downstairs, which in policies for blocks of flats is normally between £250 and £500.

In terms of costs, it will run into thousands, I can guarantee that and I'm guessing you're not in a position to start laying for that kind if damage.

pleasedelete

I have twice had bath flooding. 1st time it flowed down the stairs. In neither case was there any real lasting damage. Dried out in a few days. Don't assume it will cost thousands.

Uninhabitable for 3 weeks? Really.

olly300

I lived in block of flats where "escapes of water" of this kind where specifically excluded from the buildings insurance policy. This was to make the insurance cover cheaper.

I suggest the OP reads the small print of the policy documents the management company sent to confirm they are covered and go from there.

huckster

phill99 wrote: »

For gods sake. Another example of people that know nothing about a subject offering their ill informed opinion.

I am regularly surprised by Insurers trying to recover their outlays. I can't believe their cheek and often it does not go beyond a few letters.

Dragon_of_Consumer_Power

phill99 wrote: »

For gods sake. Another example of people that know nothing about a subject offering their ill informed opinion.

If its a block of flats, there will be a 'block policy'. This is paid for via the service charge and covers the BUILDINGS. Therefore the damage to the downstairs flat, and the subject flat will be covered by the same policy. It's classed as 'escape of water. House guests will not be chased by insurance co panties and flogged to within an inch of their lives as some of you are suggesting.

CONTENTS insurance will be held by individual flat owners. If the lady downstairs has had damage to furniture, carpets, clothing, electricals etc, she claims for these on her contents policy. It is very unlikely that her insurers will come knocking on your door to recover the costs.

I did wonder if building insurance would come into it. As for whether the insurers will come knocking, I do feel morally responsible insofar as the lady downstairs will have an excess charge to pay that should be covered by our guest.

Quentin

If your guest pays any claim eg the excess then he will be seen to be admitting liability. And fall into the hands of an insurer looking to recoup their outlay!

Fire_Fox

Last time we had a flood in my block the buildings insurance paid for damage to the communal areas only, the leaseholder (landlord) was charged for the damage within the flat and I guess he passed that onto his tenants. I know because the p1ss poor managing agents (acting for the freeholder) tried to sneak parts of the cost in with the service charges. :mad:

Anyway you need to report this to your landlord, the water may have damaged your flat too.

Hmm71

pleasedelete wrote: »

I have twice had bath flooding. 1st time it flowed down the stairs. In neither case was there any real lasting damage. Dried out in a few days. Don't assume it will cost thousands.

Uninhabitable for 3 weeks? Really.

I was thinking that. It must have been one hell of a flood from the OP's bathroom. Can't help feeling the neighbour may be exaggerating a little.

Dragon_of_Consumer_Power

It's now been reported to the landlady. I also emailed the letting agent to outline what had happened, and I have just received this reply:

I've had an email from the block factor department. It seems that Flats
1, 7 and 11 were all affected.
Do you have insurance that would cover this as I'm sure that the costs
will be in excess of what your friend will have spare at this time of
year.

I replied asking if there was a building insurance policy to cover this kind of scenario.

Torry_Quine

Unless there was proven negligence then your guest and indeed you will not be liable. In that case the neighbours will have to claim on their own insurance.