Neighbour flat leaking pipes damaging garage

Neighbour flat leaking pipes damaging garage

18:25 PM, 8th July 2014, About 10 years ago 15

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I live in a block of flats where we manage the maintenance and upkeep of the building in house. Neighbour flat leaking pipes damaging garage

However, one of the flats has had a really bad leak and they are on the ground floor and its leaking into the garage. This flat is tenanted, and so the estate agent is managing it on behalf of the landlord. We have called them up advising them to repair the leak for months on end but they just don’t do anything.

It is severely damaging the building and now we want to know if we can legally take action or whether we just deduct the repairs from their service charge.

What is the best approach to take?

Thanks

Dipan

 


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Comments

Adrian Jones

17:37 PM, 9th July 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Rob " at "09/07/2014 - 17:19":

Rob - you're not suggesting the agent would be anything other professional surely!

Rob

9:15 AM, 10th July 2014, About 10 years ago

I think the agent has already done that by themselves by not repairing the leak!

Adrian Jones

9:17 AM, 10th July 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Rob " at "10/07/2014 - 09:15":

I was joking Rob.

Rob

9:23 AM, 10th July 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Adrian Jones" at "10/07/2014 - 09:17":

🙂

Farah Stehrenberger

21:39 PM, 13th July 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Dipan
I guess we are talking about right to manage here where you or the leaseholders are responsible for maintenance. If the flat with bad leak is part of the RTM then the RTM company should be fixing the leak. The letting agent might only be responsible for letting/rent rather than maintenance work. However, there is a possibility that the letting agent could be responsible for fixing this leak. The RTM company should inform the landlord/leaseholder about the leak. If he/she doesn't respond, the company shall fix the leak and send the bill to the leaseholder. If he/she doesn't pay, add the bill on his service charge. Please make sure that this work does not fall under 'major work' etc which you may know requires notice for work above certain amount. Another option is that obtain an order from the court making the leaseholder carrying out the work or obtaining permission from the leasehold tribunal etc. There are different venues and ways to resolve this issue and if I go in detail, my message could be very long.

The leaseholder cannot force enter the property under these circumstances, they should give at least 24 hours notice as the job appears to be urgent now.

Your first warning should be to the leaseholder/landlord, send a copy to the agent, if nothing happens, insurance and court process. I hope this helps.

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