Urgent Advice if anyone still up ....

claire111

Hi

My 18 yr old son just returned to his purpose built flat after being away for christmas, to find the bathroom from the flat above has a water leak and water is coming through his ceiling and dripping on his floor. He has sent me a photo, it doesn't look like its been dripping for more than a few hours.

He has knocked on their door, rung their bell, and asked neighbours if they have keys or phone number but not successful.

We have no contact with the landlord, the flat is fully managed by Leaders, the emergency call out team are unable to help or give any advice as the flat above is not one of theirs.

What should he do until tomorrow morning when the branch open ?

What should he do if, worst case scenario, the ceiling comes down ?

TIA

Claire

Thrugelmir

Ring his insurance company.

Crashy_Time

Phone the police, someone may have died or be collapsed unconscious in the bath.

davidmcn

Turn the water off for the block?

Crashy_Time

davidmcn wrote: »

Turn the water off for the block?

You need a special key to do that, and authorisation from the water board/council? Have had to do it once because of a burst washing machine pipe, but neighbours won`t be happy if it is all night.

davidmcn

Crashy_Time wrote: »

You need a special key to do that, and authorisation from the water board/council? Have had to do it once because of a burst washing machine pipe, but neighbours won`t be happy if it is all night.

Yes, you need a key (assuming there isn't any more convenient shut-off in the building) - but why would you need authorisation from the water board/council?

Neighbours probably won't be happy, but we've already got two flats being damaged by water - and is there anybody below the OP's son?

Alternative is just to gain access to the upstairs flat and turn off their water. Damage to the door etc is probably cheaper to sort than further flooding.

Crashy_Time

davidmcn wrote: »

Yes, you need a key (assuming there isn't any more convenient shut-off in the building) - but why would you need authorisation from the water board/council?

Neighbours probably won't be happy, but we've already got two flats being damaged by water - and is there anybody below the OP's son?

Alternative is just to gain access to the upstairs flat and turn off their water. Damage to the door etc is probably cheaper to sort than further flooding.

How will they do that without the owners giving access?

Brum2312

Crashy_Time wrote: »

Phone the police, someone may have died or be collapsed unconscious in the bath.

This is what I'd do.



I hope he has got insurance!

jonnygee2

We have no contact with the landlord, the flat is fully managed by Leaders, the emergency call out team are unable to help or give any advice as the flat above is not one of theirs.

Which flat is managed by Leaders? Your sons?

If he is a tenant, personally I would keep the property management agency fully updated, keep records of me doing so, and if they continue to do nothing I'd go to bed (not under the leak though in case the floor comes through!).

If I was the owner, I'd probably drill the locks in the flat above and switch their taps off.

davidmcn

Crashy_Time wrote: »

How will they do that without the owners giving access?

By whatever method would appear to cause the least damage.

Crashy_Time

jonnygee2 wrote: »

Which flat is managed by Leaders? Your sons?

If he is a tenant, personally I would keep the property management agency fully updated, keep records of me doing so, and if they continue to do nothing I'd go to bed (not under the leak though in case the floor comes through!).

If I was the owner, I'd probably drill the locks in the flat above and switch their taps off.

Nah, you are better off running it past the police (local station number not emergency number) and let them break in if necessary IMO, and also keeping the out of hours line for your agent fully informed and also telling them that you are keeping a record of when you told them and what you told them. I would e-mail the letting agent now and detail the time and content of your discussion with their out of hours so that you have a record for when they try to wriggle out of paying for the collapsed roof.