Apartment flooded from upstairs

LPeteroz on 30/01/2017 - 18:38

I am the owner of the apartment, last Friday I got flooded by my neighbors from upstairs. Due to the flood I got big yellow mark and a crack across the ceiling in the living room. The flood was caused due a faulty hot water unit.

As I am been told, the hot water system been serviced by a plumber a few days back as they had some problems with their hot water for sometime. Those people are renting the place and the plumber been send to them by the agent to fix the problem with their hot water system. I also did take photos and videos for evidence.

I contacted with my body corporate and been only told that it is very common problem and all water systems are out of date and all claims should be done with the owner of the property above us.

I need advise on what legal form I would need to fill up to make a financial claim for my property damage. And what is the best way to handle such situation?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2017 - 19:07

    That really sucks. The owner of an apartment I used to live in had a similar experience, where the neighbour upstairs had an issue with their washing machine and it ended up flooding the downstairs unit in a couple of inches deep water. Hard to really imagine.

    Ended up having to strip their floors and re-carpet etc. Not sure who paid, but you'd assume it was the responsibility of the upstairs owner.

    Still would be a pain and massive inconvenience for you. Keep us updated on things please.

  • airzone on 30/01/2017 - 19:15

    Yes, it's common for hot water services to die. However regular maintenance, checking for leaks, bunding, and clear drainage can minimise damage.

    Push on strata. Be aware though that they will only take care of the building - i.e. the crack in the ceiling, and checking any internal electric wiring. Repainting, and any damage to your contents are between you, the owner above, and your contents insurance.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2017 - 19:32

    Body Corporate / Strata for the roof / wiring / area between the two floors
    as for lighting / fans / anything else it may be your property and not common property and not covered

    All costs should be directed to owner upstairs who caused the issue
    you want to hope to God they are insured (owners and renters :) )

    Hot water service I thought was meant to be maintained by Building Owners / Body Corporate as it was in the common area, but it all depends I guess

    • Peteroz on 30/01/2017 - 21:00

      Hot water in our case is in every apartment usually in the kitchen area under the sink.

  • dasher86 on 30/01/2017 - 20:17

    A little off topic but what insurance can you get for accidentally damaging someone else's apartment - eg as above your hot water unit went bust?

    • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2017 - 22:11

      Liability insurance I guess.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2017 - 20:27

    Have a read up about hot water system sacrificial 'anodes'. Hot water systems are meant to be maintained with anti rust anodes regularly but no one does it and it reduces the lifespan a lot. If you (the upstairs neighbour) haven't maintained the anodes, you are negligent. Ask the neighbour about the anode maintenance (with proof).

    • airzone on 31/01/2017 - 00:27

      They are trivial to replace too.

  • PVA on 30/01/2017 - 20:36
    +2

    you will have building insurance and thats who you claim through. Your unit has been flooded and damaged.
    The building insurance will be through your strata so dont let them tell you otherwise. ceiling, walls is part of building insurance and you pay that via your strata fees.

    we had a flood in our townhouse 6 months ago, caused by our dishwasher - building insurance (that we pay via strata fees) covered the damage of fixing the kitchen. the carper and furniture we claimed through our contents insurance.

    • Peteroz on 30/01/2017 - 21:05

      Ok, from where do I get those papers to fill and claim for a flood damage. Could you suggest the exact steps I can follow up. As I have not done this process before. And what is the best way to send the flood damage claim to the owner?
      What is the best way to evaluate the damage?

      • PVA on 30/01/2017 - 21:14
        +2

        call your body corp strata manager - not the body corp themselves or onsite building manager. their number will be on your last strata bill.
        tell them you want to do a claim.
        mine was really good as we didnt know what to do either. She emailed the details we needed, we filled out the details and later the insurance assessor called us for a time to visit.

        it seems stressful as we (like you) didnt know what to do but it went smooth. The strata managers work for the owners (you) and you pay a lot for it so let them do some work for a change.

        • Peteroz on 30/01/2017 - 21:23

          Ook, thank you, will follow up with your advise, and will see what they are going to say…

        • PVA on 30/01/2017 - 21:26

          @Peteroz:
          It will be fine, don't stress. Call the strata management tomorrow.

          You don't need to assess the damage the insurance will do all that.

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