Water damage from the upper unit can take a period to show the water drip down the wall or ceiling. Ceiling leak is when water seeping through the concrete floor slab from the unit above. Most of the time, this occurs in old building where the waterproof membrane and screed have worn off, and water can seep through the floor slab.
Residential water damage from upper unit can be accidental or it can be the result of negligence. Approach your neighbour above and understand why it happens can also help to understand how to fix the problem. However, it always boils down to who pays for water leakage in condominium?
In most cases, water leakage from the unit above is liability for the damage cause the leakage to lower unit. The upper unit might not be aware that they have cause a leak to lower unit, therefore you will need to approach your neighbour as soon as you notice the leakage problem. Even minor damage needs to be addressed quickly to discourage mould and mildew growth that might affect your family members health issue. Although that say nobody wants to pays for water leakage in condominium.
Homeowner may approach the building management to get assist with getting contact with the unit above. They might be able to assist you to find out the potential damage and how to get it fix and who pays for water leakage in condominium unit.
The common dispute faced by homeowner in condominium is in relation to water leakage from inter-floor leaks, due to uncooperative and aggrieved neighbours. These water leakage problems have plagued homes with stress, discomfort, and inconvenience, on top of high tension between neighbours.
Under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA), administered by the Strata Titles Board (STB), the flat owner of the immediate unit on the upper floor bears the presumption for the water leakage, unless one can prove the contrary. Thus, if there is an inter-lock floors, both parties (upper and lower floor homeowners from the immediate units) are required to jointly investigate to determine the cause of the leak and proceed with repair works, inclusive of resolving the cost of repairs. In such, the condominium’s Management Corporation will ought to be inform and involve in resolving and conduct investigation of the defect to determine the cause of the water leakage in both units.
If you have an uncooperative neighbour, you can make an application to the Strata Titles Board (STB). A tribunal made up of lawyers and experts in the building industry will evaluate the situation based on the evidence and mediate between the parties. The STB will conduct an order that is enforce by State Courts. To know more, you can read the “Strata Living in Singapore” guide by the Building and Constriction Authority (BCA), this will also help you iron out on which unit to pay for water leakage in condominium.
Water leakage repair can be complex and challenging to manage if you do not have the expertise. It is best to engage a professional specialist to tackle the problem.
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