Just being given a bill by the building manager for initial water leaks investigation. The plumber state they could not find the source of the leak but is definitely coming from my apartment.
I feel I am not getting any say but to bend over and pay what ever they are asking.
So what is my right? Do I have to pay for the investigation and the repair cost?
Have the plumber come into your apartment and confirm that it’s coming from there rather than saying they don’t know where it is coming from.
Insurance usually covers investigation/exploration for leaks?
Where and what are they saying is leaking? Is it your bathroom?
the leak but is definitely coming from my apartment.
Water always takes the path of least resistance. It is reasonable for the owner or tenant to pay if they caused the damage.
Yea, but OP's question is which owner/tenant.
DO NOT PAY
In NSW at least, leaking is most likely to occur on common-property - being the waterproofing beneath the tiles in wet areas or the supply/drainage pipes in the walls.
If the sources hasn't been identified its more than likely not your own apartment - which only really includes fixtures and fittings
I would think Body Corporate insurance should cover it if it's not coming from somewhere obviously within your apartment (at least as far as I'm aware in QLD - Body Corporate should be responsible for things not strictly from within your apartment)
Unless you have left the taps on, I would expect any leakages behind your paint will be the OC responsibility. Generally you own the air that is between your paint, not nothing behind it.
Doesn't the body corporate owns what's inside the walls (and some even owning fixtures like toilets - as I was once told)? There's every chance that the water leak come from there (as opposed to from your taps/ bathtub/ etc.
Are you renting? If so, what did your agent say? Pass it on to them to sort out with landlord (unless it's specifically your fault).