Skirting board and gaps, do they need to be fixed by landlord?

dekaspace

On behalf of a friend, just asking as a few times lets say you spill some water when mopping up the downstairs neighbour says the water comes down wall, which seems strange, I myself did this today by accident when mopping up floor and have been there in past when neighbours have mentioned water coming down walls when theres like a water spillage.

I notice the skirting board everywhere has quite a large gap underneath, its lino down but big enough that sealant/filler whatever it is would be needed to cover it up.

Could this be the reason why neighbours mention water comes down walls as the gaps are right where they mention it and not the corners where there is cupboards or the kitchen sink if so should the landlord fix it? (Scotland BTW)

Secondly I notice next to where washing machine is theres no skirting board in same corner of kitchen right under the counter so the water could be pouring in there too.

Should that too be covered by LL?

[Deleted User]

Squeeze the mop out better. Buy a metal bucket with a wringer in it (plastic breaks very easily). If its happening as you say, there must be a lot of water being sloshed around when mopping.

Are you sure there isn't a leak somewhere?

dekaspace

I meant this was a one off after I tripped over mop bucket, they never notice it other times, only other time they had was when mop bucket was knocked over before.

That being said there is large gap in wall at least half if not closer to a inch hidden by skirting board, I did take photo as I can see a wire in the gap in floorboard and yes it is a real gap and can see the floorboards below.

For leaks its difficult to say, only other times there is noticable water is when above property has problems with toilet or bath so can go weeks with nothing then odd drip.

glasgowdan

Don't kick the bucket. And forget about the skirting board gaps!

And i thought this was on behalf of a "friend"!

.I meant this was a one off after I tripped over

DiamondLil

glasgowdan wrote: »

Don't kick the bucket.

We all will eventually.

warby68

Not landlord's issue

Water will find any number of ways to travel

The issue here is be careful and if you spill what must have been a fair amount of water mop it up ASAP - easy way is to just chuck all your towels on it. Water can damage a lot of things so best not to let it 'soak in' anywhere.

davidmcn

Unless they advertised it as a wet room (or paddling pool) then no, it doesn't need to be waterproof.

G_M

There are two possibilities.

1) the water coming through is caused by negligence of the tenant (or their 'friend'!). The tenant is fully liable for any damage that results.

2) there is a plumbing leak, or an external leak. In that case the landlord is responsible for repair

The second option above seems far less likely, but is possible.

There is no obligation on the LL to fill a gap under a decorative skirtig board.

There IS an obligation on a tenant to take due care when cleaning.

dekaspace

G_M wrote: »

There are two possibilities.

1) the water coming through is caused by negligence of the tenant (or their 'friend'!). The tenant is fully liable for any damage that results.

2) there is a plumbing leak, or an external leak. In that case the landlord is responsible for repair

The second option above seems far less likely, but is possible.

There is no obligation on the LL to fill a gap under a decorative skirtig board.

There IS an obligation on a tenant to take due care when cleaning.

Actually there has been a fair few leaks there, but in those cases its been due to above tenant leaving washing machine on or faulty overflow.

And please read, so you think a inch gap UNDER the floorboards is just a gap??

lovinituk

dekaspace wrote: »

And please read, so you think a inch gap UNDER the floorboards is just a gap??

Well its not an elephant!! Of course its a gap - how big does it have to be before it is no longer "a gap"?!

The best explanation was probably above by eggha...

"more than likely that the "large gap" is because there used to be carpet on the floor before the lino and therefore the gap was to allow the carpet to be pushed under the skirting to give a neater finish"

There is no legal requirement for the size of gap under skirting board. Even if the gap was only 1mm water would still get under it and a large enough volume of water would still leak to the flat below.

dekaspace

lovinituk wrote: »

Well its not an elephant!! Of course its a gap - how big does it have to be before it is no longer "a gap"?!

The best explanation was probably above by eggha...

"more than likely that the "large gap" is because there used to be carpet on the floor before the lino and therefore the gap was to allow the carpet to be pushed under the skirting to give a neater finish"

So a gap almost a inch HIGH above the floor is "for the carpet"

Not millimeters for carpet, it seems the skirting board that is there is covering the large holes. it was large enough that friend dropped a thick screwdriver in it a few weeks ago that rolled into cap and was lost for good, I was annoyed at it was one of my good ones, I had a look and it had vanished without a trace.

A gap that can fit a thick screwdriver in isn't a tiny gap!