Leaking Roof - Leaseholder

Author
Discussion

Chicken_Satay

Original Poster:

2,342 posts

211 months

Sunday 25th August
quotequote all
I live in a top floor flat and yesterday I noticed a small water spot on my ceiling. When outside today, I looked up at the roof and noticed several broken roof tiles, hence the leak. Today, it has been reported to the building management company whose responsibility it is to repair this.

My concern is that the repair isn't going to happen instantly. It could be at least a week or two before anything gets done. In that time we could of course have some heavy downpours (luckily the forecast for the next week doesn’t look too bad).

If water were to start leaking further into my property between the time of me having reported the necessary repair and the building management company arranging and implementing a solution and repair, who would be responsible for covering the damage?

I think it should be the building management company. If I were a freeholder, I’d have access to the attic where I could quickly implement a temporary solution myself or pay a roofer to come out quickly to have it resolved.

anyoldcardave

768 posts

74 months

Sunday 25th August
quotequote all
Will the building maintainence company not pass on costs to you and the other flats if it is not covered in standard maintainence charges?

Chicken_Satay

Original Poster:

2,342 posts

211 months

Sunday 25th August
quotequote all
anyoldcardave said:
Will the building maintainence company not pass on costs to you and the other flats if it is not covered in standard maintainence charges?
Possibly. If they do, and that's part of the lease agreement, that's fine. I just want it fixed ASAP. I don't want my contents getting damaged.

Du1point8

21,678 posts

199 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
Is this not what the buildings insurance is for?

Chicken_Satay

Original Poster:

2,342 posts

211 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
Is this not what the buildings insurance is for?
Buildings insurance is for accidental damage to the building itself. The cost of the roof repair is not on me, it's covered by the freeholder's buildings insurance (leaseholders contribute to the premium).

I have contents insurance, but I'm not putting a claim on that just because the upkeep of the building hasn't been maintained.

martinbiz

3,369 posts

152 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
Is this not what the buildings insurance is for?
No

Wacky Racer

38,972 posts

254 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
Might seem obvious, but move ALL your contents that are underneath the affected area.

Take a photo of the area now, and if it goes worse in a week take another and blame the company for not acting sooner.

surveyor

18,138 posts

191 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
I disagree, at least initially. It’s not realistic to get someone out instantly, and depending on the height of the roof access may take some arranging altogether.

Only if the management company delay works would you possibly have a claim for negligence.

Otherwise it’s whatever your lease states, have a look at the buildings insurance.

Chicken_Satay

Original Poster:

2,342 posts

211 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
surveyor said:
I disagree, at least initially. It’s not realistic to get someone out instantly, and depending on the height of the roof access may take some arranging altogether.

Only if the management company delay works would you possibly have a claim for negligence.

Otherwise it’s whatever your lease states, have a look at the buildings insurance.
Yes, it may end up fine, i.e., they may be able to take action swiflty. However, I'm just worried in case the worst happens and what my options will be.

I'll check the lease and building insurance details.

matrignano

4,605 posts

217 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
Is this not what the buildings insurance is for?
My building insurance (managed by the Property Management company) paid out for internal damage to my leasehold flat following a roof leak.

The property management company will fix the roof but will charge the costs back to each leaseholders, I would guess, as per standard leases.